Question Smiling and mask suction

[Engelsted]

I’m new to diving! I bought a Paragon mask but it loses suction when I smile. Others in the store did too. I’m going to try an Apeks in the pool today. I read that Hollis M1 worked for some people with mustache… any thoughts?

 

[ColoDale]

Mine leaks a little if I smile alot. Big laughs will do it too. I use an Atomic frameless and for many years. The cut/material under the nose is smaller. I have a mustache also. I have not tried they other brands you mentioned.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I don't know of any mask that will not leak a little if you smile big. It's basic geometry, physics, and property of materials. You have two parallel surfaces—face and mask skirt. You introduce a more or less perpendicular line between them when you smile. It's gonna leak. Some less than others.
The true solution is to smile internally!

 

[MidOH]

The mask doesn't need to seal THAT well.

It's nice to have a good fit, but a bit irrational to expect it to hold every contortion of your face.

If you smile too much underwater, just exhale out your nose a couple times to purge the mask.

I wear my mask quite loose.

 

[happy-diver]

But it's preferred that masks fit THAT well, especially for rebreather divers and every other diver that isn't

 

[Nemrod]

Mine leaks a little if I smile alot. Big laughs will do it too. I use an Atomic frameless and for many years. The cut/material under the nose is smaller. I have a mustache also. I have not tried they other brands you mentioned.

If your mustache is at the root of the problem you may have to use a little dab of vaseline or similar. A little dab will do ya.

Masks leak, every mask I have ever had would and does leak a little. I can appreciate though having a constant and irrating leak from your mustache. And you do not want to shave it off .

 

[ColoDale]

If your mustache is at the root of the problem you may have to use a little dab of vaseline or similar. A little dab will do ya.

Masks leak, every mask I have ever had would and does leak a little. I can appreciate though having a constant and irrating leak from your mustache. And you do not want to shave it off .

I shave about an 1/8th of an inch under my nose and have used mask seal or even chapstick. It does not constantly leak. It can if I smile or laugh. The mask fits well especially since the mask is high cut under the nose. It's why I recommended it.
I also, depending on the time of year (hot summer), will carry a little bit of water in the mask to clear any fog. And I use antifog but that is no guaranty. So I don't really mind a bit of water in my mask. If necessary, I can clear it.