TikTok users turn CPAP machines into stylish sleep-aid accessories

A TikTok video by Kayla Fawcett, who used her CPAP tubing as makeshift curlers, quickly amassed more than a million views and inspired a wave of imitators. The phenomenon gave rise to the "CPAP Baddies" movement, a group of users who showcase their masks with confidence and humor to combat the negative image of sleep-apnea therapy. Members such as Rogue Schmidt and Adam Shenk describe how the trend has motivated them and others to resume treatment after abandoning it due to embarrassment.

ResMed, the manufacturer of the devices, is promoting the initiative online, reporting that its content has reached over 16.2 million accounts and has generated thousands of followers. The campaign also includes live gatherings where users exchange stories and celebrate the health advantages of consistent CPAP use. By normalizing the equipment, the movement hopes to raise awareness of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition affecting more than 80 million Americans and linked to serious health risks if untreated.