Diving facial hair/mask fit

[flspy]

I am a long time diver, but new to diving with facial hair. My mask that seals perfectly now leaks constantly because of my new goatee (that my girlfriend loves).

Someone recommended I use regular silicone grease. Another recommended Vaseline. Yet another said that Vaseline, as a petroleum product, will eventually erode the silicone skirts and ruin the mask???

I am looking for advice from men with facial hair on what they have found that works, preferably without shaving.

I don't really need recommendations on specific masks because I already know how to fit one to my face.

Thanks!

 

[Scott]

How about trimming the "stache" a bit?
I used chapstick when I was sporting a "stache."

 

[undrwater]

I always thought a goatee was on the chin. anyways, you can shave just a bit just under the nose ( maybe 3mm) which should allow the mask to seal better.

 

[simskiscuba]

I've been diving for 30 yrs with a stache that compromises seal. Just learn to blow out your mask ocassionally.
And if you shake it out first it's the perfect defog tool.

 

[kelemvor]

How about good 'ol mustache wax? I shaved my mustache when I started diving because of that problem.

 

[supergaijin]

I believe the OP is referring to the full-mouth version aka the 'prison pussy'.

When you think you look like this:


Just shave around the bottom of your nostrils- take off 1-2mm (1/6850 of an inch). The skirt normally seals nicely.

A bit of vaseline helps a lot with the 'prison pussy'

 

[buddhasummer]

I believe the OP is referring to the full-mouth version aka the 'prison pussy'.

When you think you look like this:
View attachment 157745

Just shave around the bottom of your nostrils- take off 1-2mm (1/6850 of an inch). The skirt normally seals nicely.

A bit of vaseline helps a lot with the 'prison pussy'

"Prison pussy".... Never heard that before and if my imagination is correct I don't want to. That's some funny #*#*... Arigato

 

[MAGELLAN]

+1 for chapstick. Also, just get comfortable with more than the usual amount of leakage, and learn to purge a leaky mask without the full blown clearing exercise - let some air come out the nose when you exhale, creating a small positive pressure and forcing an air leak, make sure the point of the leak (your mustache) is located at the bottom of the air cavity and any water inside will get pushed out. You can also tighten the strap a bit more, and play around with where the strap fits on the back of your head to see if you can get a better seal.

 

[gcarter]

I have become very comfortable with clearing my mask. 89 dives, bouyancy still a work in progress, still an air hog, but damn good at cold water mask clearing!

Truth be told I get more leakage from scrunching my face as I look around or smile, but I do get some from the whisker even though I trim short near the nose. I don't view it as any kind of an issue though, not since I spent an hour in the pool doing nothing but repeated mask clears more than 50 dives ago.

 

[monk280915]

I have a thick mustache and use to have the same problem until I bought a scuba pro single lens mask works very good for me.