I was born with a disability (spina bifida) for which I have had 16 surgeries in my 43 years. My last one was in 1992, at 16 years of age. My first was likely within 72 hours of birth. Early on, I remember black beauty masks for anesthesia, but at some point---not sure when---it started being the clear masks (maybe with a green tint? I can't recall). I seem to recall the black masks being more comfortable.
In the fall of 2006, I met a girl who I knew off of deviantART. She had cystic fibrosis, and used her masks as modeling props at times. She was 5ft 6 and very slender, and had long brown hair. The night before making that trip to Erie, I was informed that my apartment building had cultured mold, and I was having respiratory symptoms that were consistent with that. That night, when the girl and me IMed, I informed her, and after some time, I suggested I wear a mask, which she liked since she didn't want to disinvite me.
So, that night, I had on a 3M 8210, which isn't a medical mask per se, but it is rated N95. It is a white "cone" mask with two yellow elastic bands. She first had on a "fashion mask" from I Can Breathe. It was white, flat, with earloops and a white lace pattern. Later on, she slipped out of that mask and into a huge, matte black silicone half mask respirator. It was held very tightly on her mouth and nose by a series of thick, black straps that were adjustable by tabs on each side of the facepiece. Each side had a big circular metal filter canister protruding from it, capped by a white, circular prefilter.
Like I've said before, I have never liked wearing the mask, and that night, even less. It just got really hot. But she was absolutely stunning, especially in her respirator. Tbh, her respirator kind of reminded me of those old black beauty anesthesia masks from whence my mask fetish started. Not sure how comfortable masks were for her. She needed to wear them every day because of her immune system. Most patients don't wear the big cartridge respirators. Not sure if it's because of vanity or because they are more uncomfy. Never worn one. I've always, since knowing her, wanted to run my fingers on the rim of the mask, where it covers her face. Always just wondered how it felt.