‘CPAP baddies’ are making wearing a sleep apnea mask cool

Key Points:

• Kayla Fawcett from Wisconsin went viral on TikTok after using her CPAP machine tubing to curl her hair, sparking a trend that encourages embracing CPAP devices and reducing stigma around sleep apnea treatment.
• The "CPAP baddies" movement promotes normalizing the use of continuous positive airway pressure machines, challenging stereotypes, and celebrating self-care among sleep apnea patients, particularly younger adults and women often overlooked in diagnosis.
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects over 80 million Americans and can cause serious health issues if untreated, but many avoid using CPAP machines due to discomfort and social stigma.
• The campaign, led by respiratory device maker Resmed, aims to make CPAP therapy more approachable by leveraging social media and in-person events, reaching millions and encouraging people to prioritize their health without shame.
• Users report improved well-being and a sense of community through the movement, with many motivated to resume or begin CPAP treatment after seeing others openly embrace their devices.