Viscofoam Pillow | Mister Sandman

What advantages do visco foam cushions have?

How good are visco foam cushions?

Weightless through the night – the promise of visco foam cushions and visco mattresses. But what is the truth behind the much-touted viscoelastic material and the special properties of visco foam cushions and visco mattresses? Visco was originally developed by NASA for space travel. Only with the possibility of producing this material more cost-effectively did it become interesting for other areas. Today, visco is particularly used for the production of visco cushions, such as neck pillows and neck support pillows made of viscoelastic material and visco mattresses. Due to its special properties, visco is also found as a material in bedding in the medical field:

But what are the special properties of visco, visco foam cushions, and visco mattresses?
And for whom are visco foam cushions and visco mattresses well suited?

What is visco foam?

For cushions and mattresses, very different fillings and upholstery materials are used. A particularly common upholstery material for cushions, pillows, and mattresses is foam fabric. Foam fabrics for mattresses and cushions exist in various variants and quality levels. Foam fabrics also differ in terms of the manufacturing process. Viscose foam or visco is, like cold foam, a material based on polyurethane:

Visco belongs to the group of polymers
Visco consists of water, gases, polyols, and polyisocyanates

Visco is the result of a chemical reaction of these substances. The visco liquid that is produced is then cured and cut, and further processed into visco foam pillows, visco head pillows, and visco mattresses.

Other foams: Gel foam

In addition to visco foam, other foams are used in pillows and mattresses, e.g. gel foam:

Gel foam is a cold foam with a gel component
Gel foam consists of liquid and solid components
Gel foam is used for pillows, mattresses, and mattress toppers

Differences between Visco and gel foam

Even though gel foam and visco foam are similar chemical products, they differ in some fundamental product properties:

Gel foam has a high recovery force
Gel foam responds well to pressure
Gel foam immediately adapts to a changed lying position

What are Visco and gel foam used for?

Gel foam is never the only component in mattresses and pillows. Gel foam is usually processed in gel foam mattresses and gel foam pillows in combination with other mattress components, e.g. cold foam. Furthermore, gel foam, just like viscoelastic foam, is often used for seat cushions. Gel foam and viscoelastic foam are particularly well suited for seat cushions in the medical field:

Gel foam and viscoelastic foams for anti-decubitus seat cushions
Gel foam and viscoelastic foams for seat cushions in wheelchairs
Gel foam and viscoelastic foams for seat cushions for hemorrhoids

Seat cushions with Visco foam

Seat cushions that serve the relief of medical complaints should be as soft as possible. Additionally, a high adaptability of the seat cushions to the sitter is required.

Seat cushions should be as soft as possible, yet still supportive
Seat cushions should be comfortable
Seat cushions should meet the needs of the sitter

How good is Visco foam?

Visco foam has unique pressure-relieving properties. Visco reacts to body heat. As soon as heat affects Visco, the Visco product (Visco foam pillow, Visco topper, Visco mattress) contours precisely to the body. Visco or Visco foam is a slow material. This means that an imprint formed in the Visco material returns much more slowly than with other materials. What does this mean for Visco foam pillows, Visco mattresses, and other products and items with Visco? Visco foam pillows and Visco mattresses have the so-called memory effect. The slow recovery of the Visco material in pillows and mattresses achieves excellent pressure relief. Therefore, Visco foam pillows and Visco mattresses are highly pressure-relieving, depending on the thickness of the Visco layer.

Visco ensures weight distribution

Body weight is evenly distributed by visco on visco foam pillows and visco mattresses. The even distribution of weight on visco foam pillows and visco mattresses allows for relief from pressure pain and prevents circulation disorders. Visco foam pillows and visco mattresses enable an ergonomically correct positioning of the spine.

Good adaptation through visco

Visco foam pillows and visco mattresses adapt precisely to the body. The sinking into the visco foam pillow or visco head pillow and the visco mattress prevents too much movement during sleep, so that the body is correctly positioned throughout the night. This effectively prevents tension in the neck and back.

Properties of visco foam pillows and visco head pillows

The special thing about visco foam pillows is the material used for the pillow: visco foam. Pillows and head pillows can be filled with very different materials. Depending on the filling of the pillow core, this results in very different pillow properties. Visco foam stands out here compared to other filling materials, as visco foam has unique properties:

Visco foam pillows and head pillows have a pressure-relieving effect in the head and neck area
Visco foam pillows and head pillows contribute very well to the correct positioning of the cervical spine (C-spine)
Visco foam pillows and head pillows are point-elastic
Visco foam pillows and head pillows are breathable
Visco foam pillows and head pillows provide a warm sleeping climate
Visco foam pillows and head pillows are equally suitable for all types of sleepers

Properties of visco foam mattresses

Mattresses with a visco core are very soft and create a lying sensation that is pleasant and comfortable. Depending on the thickness of the visco layer in the mattress, an almost weightless lying sensation can occur on the visco mattress. Other properties of viscoelastic mattresses are:

Mattresses with visco core support the body perfectly
Mattresses with visco core relieve the body very well
Mattresses with visco core are very suitable for allergy sufferers
Mattresses with visco core have the memory effect
Mattresses with visco core promote blood circulation very well
Mattresses with visco core effectively prevent tension in the back and neck
Mattresses with visco core are equally suitable for all types of sleepers

Advantages of the memory effect

The memory effect of various products with visco is a property that distinguishes visco from other materials:

the memory effect ensures complete relaxation of the body
the memory effect adapts individually to the sleeper
the memory effect allows for orthopedically correct lying
the memory effect prevents too much movement during sleep
with pillows, the memory effect causes optimal adaptation of the pillow to the head
the memory effect brings many advantages, especially with neck support pillows

The memory effect is achieved through the influence of body heat. Without the influence of heat, the memory effect does not occur.

Visco foam pillows and mattresses are suitable for allergy sufferers

Mattresses with a visco core are well suited for allergy sufferers. House dust allergy sufferers react to the excretions of the house dust mite. These are mainly found in mattresses (but also in pillows and mattress protectors). The spread of mites in mattresses, whether they are viscoelastic mattresses or another type of mattress, can best be prevented by preventive hygienic measures:

the viscoelastic mattress and the mattress cover should be regularly cleaned well
the mattress cover should be mite-proof if possible
the pillow cover should also be mite-proof if possible
Mattress covers should be removable
Mattress covers should be washable

Hygienic measures for allergy sufferers

Other hygienic measures that allergy sufferers should take to keep the household and bedroom as mite-free as possible include regularly cleaning well pillows and comforters. Mites exist in every household and feel most comfortable in the bedroom, especially in beds and mattresses. There is almost no household that is 100% mite-free. The small creatures only become a problem when people in the household are allergic to the excretions of these arachnids. The best way to address the problem is to take good care of bedding, such as viscoelastic mattresses, viscoelastic pillows, beds, comforters, and mattress protectors.

Visco foam pillows are perfectly suitable as neck support pillows

Many people suffering from neck pain are looking for a suitable pillow or head pillow on which they can sleep well and without discomfort. For many, a visco foam pillow made of viscoelastic material has proven to be the right pillow choice. Visco foam pillows exist in the form of neck pillows and neck support pillows. Neck pillows and neck support pillows made of visco are characterized by special pillow properties that make them particularly suitable for people with various sleep problems.

Pillows in the form of neck pillows and neck support pillows made of visco relieve the neck area by correctly supporting the head
Pillows in the form of neck pillows and neck support pillows with visco relieve the cervical spine (C-spine) by correctly supporting the head and neck
Pillows in the form of neck and neck support pillows with visco adapt precisely to the head and neck
Pillows in the form of neck pillows or neck support pillows with visco create an optimal sleep climate
Pillows in the form of neck pillows or neck support pillows provide restful sleep by correctly supporting the head and neck

Visco foam pillows in the form of neck support pillows

Neck pillows and neck support pillows, with or without visco, exist in various shapes and designs:

as orthopedic neck pillows and neck support pillows
Neck pillows and neck support pillows with visco as neck cushions
Neck pillows and neck support pillows with visco as travel pillows
Neck pillows and neck support pillows with visco as head pillows

Visco foam pillows as orthopedic neck support pillows

An orthopedic neck support pillow or an orthopedic neck pillow usually has a special shape. An orthopedic neck support pillow or an orthopedic neck pillow is usually wave-shaped. One side of the pillow is higher. The higher side of the pillow is normally the pillow side that faces the shoulder. An orthopedic neck pillow or neck support pillow is equally suitable for all sleep types:

an orthopedic neck pillow/neck support pillow with visco is suitable as a head pillow for back sleepers
an orthopedic neck pillow/neck support pillow with visco is suitable as a head pillow for side sleepers

For which sleep types is visco suitable?

Because with all these sleep types, the viscoelastic pillow ensures an ergonomically correct positioning of the head and neck. An orthopedic neck pillow or an orthopedic neck support pillow with visco foam is generally suitable for stomach sleepers as well. Stomach sleepers should ensure that the visco foam pillow is not too high. Often, there are visco foam pillows available with removable layers. This allows for individual adjustment of the visco foam pillow or visco foam head pillow. For a stomach sleeper, the head should not be positioned too high to avoid overstretching the neck. In addition to viscoelastic neck pillows and viscoelastic neck support pillows, one can certainly also purchase an orthopedic neck pillow or an orthopedic neck support pillow with other pillow fillings, for example:

an orthopedic neck pillow or an orthopedic neck support pillow with water core
an orthopedic neck pillow and an orthopedic neck support pillow with gel foam
an orthopedic neck pillow and an orthopedic neck support pillow with cold foam

No matter which pillow you choose, it is important that the head and neck are properly supported.

Who is a neck support pillow with Visco suitable for?

Visco foam pillows in the form of neck pillows and neck support pillows with Visco are suitable for those people who suffer from tension in the neck and back. By using visco foam pillows in the form of neck pillows and neck support pillows with Visco, these complaints can be prevented. Because visco foam pillows in the form of neck pillows and neck support pillows with Visco adapt to the neck and head in such a way that the body can assume a relaxed posture while sleeping. For individuals suffering from chronic conditions in the area of the cervical spine (CSP), an orthopedic neck pillow with Visco or an orthopedic neck support pillow with Visco is highly recommended.

Advantages of viscoelastic pillows

If you choose an orthopedic head pillow with visco foam, you should take your time to get used to the new viscoelastic pillow. The transition from a conventional head pillow to a neck support pillow or neck pillow in a different pillow size always requires a certain adjustment period. The advantages of viscoelastic neck pillows and neck support pillows are manifold:

an orthopedic neck support pillow with visco or orthopedic neck pillow with visco foam alleviates discomfort in the cervical spine (C-spine) through ergonomically correct positioning of the head and neck
an orthopedic neck support pillow with visco foam or an orthopedic neck pillow with visco foam allows for restful sleep through the correct support of the head and neck
an orthopedic neck pillow with visco foam or orthopedic neck support pillow with visco foam provides a warm sleeping climate that relaxes the neck very well

Visco foam travel pillows are perfect for travel

Visco foam pillows, whether as head pillows, orthopedic neck pillows, or orthopedic neck support pillows, are perfect for use as travel pillows. When the head is sufficiently supported during a long journey, tension in the muscles and headaches can be prevented. If you are used to viscoelastic head pillows, you will certainly not find much use for the pillows and head pillows found in hotels. Viscoelastic pillows and head pillows can be purchased as travel pillows in compact sizes. These are very suitable for taking along as travel pillows.

Travel pillows with memory foam adapt individually to the traveler
Travel pillows with memory foam support the head and neck very well
Travel pillows with memory foam help prevent muscle tension
Travel pillows with memory foam allow for sleeping like at home
Travel pillows with memory foam are available in compact sizes
Travel pillows with memory foam are soft and comfortable

Memory foam pillow in the size 40x80

Memory foam pillows, whether as orthopedic neck support pillows or viscoelastic neck pillows, can be purchased in various sizes. Viscoelastic pillows can also vary in height. Viscoelastic pillows, whether orthopedic neck pillows or orthopedic neck support pillows, typically have a size of 40x80. An orthopedic pillow in the size 40x80 is particularly good for complaints in the cervical spine (C-spine). Because unlike a pillow in the classic pillow size 80x80, viscoelastic pillows 40x80 and viscoelastic pillows 40x80 prevent you from sliding down onto the pillow with your shoulders, thus taking an unnatural sleeping position. Pillows, whether viscoelastic pillows or pillows with other fillings, are generally recommended in the size 40x80.

Memory foam pillow with Aloe Vera cover

Memory foam pillows are usually smaller than conventional pillows. Bed linen, and especially the pillowcase, should fit perfectly to the size of the pillows and duvets. If the bed linen, and especially the pillowcase, does not match exactly with pillows, duvets, and mattresses, it can lead to excess bed linen or an overhanging cover disturbing the night's sleep. Therefore, bed linen and covers should be carefully selected:

Bedding and pillow covers should have the right size
Bedding and pillow covers should be made of high-quality material (100% cotton, for example)
Bedding and pillow covers should be easy to care for and durable
Bedding and pillow covers should create a pleasant sleeping climate

Visco pillows with aloe vera cover

The right pillow cover can significantly contribute to sleep quality. For pillows with visco foam, a pillow cover with aloe vera is particularly suitable. A cover with aloe vera can noticeably increase comfort while sleeping:

A pillow cover with aloe vera has harmonizing properties
A pillow cover with aloe vera provides the skin with moisture while sleeping
A pillow cover with aloe vera has immune-stimulating properties
A pillow cover with aloe vera has wound-healing properties
A pillow cover with aloe vera is good for dry heating air

Cotton cover for visco pillows

A cover made of 100% cotton is particularly suitable as a pillow cover. This is because cotton meets the criteria that make a good pillow cover best. Polyester, for example, is a fabric that is not particularly suitable for a pillow cover. This is because polyester has almost no absorbency. A polyester cover does not absorb moisture. A polyester cover tends to quickly develop unpleasant odors, as, for example, sweat is not transported away. With the right cover (e.g., 100% cotton, aloe vera), the positive properties of viscoelastic pillows can be further emphasized. Additionally, the following should also be considered when choosing a pillow cover:

ein Kissen-Bezug sollte waschbar sein
ein Kissen-Bezug sollte strapazierfähig sein
ein Kissen-Bezug sollte langlebig sein

Tipps zum Kauf von Viscoschaum Kissen

In the bedding market, there are now many different bedding products available with viscoelastic foams. Whether mattresses, pillows, or mattress toppers, the product range is huge. When searching for the right mattress, one should not forget that it ultimately depends on a successful interplay of the individual products and items. Mattresses and beds should match each other. In the 30-day trial sleep program at Mister Sandman, you can test the bedding risk-free. Mattresses and pillows should be coordinated, just like comforters and duvet covers. Unlike in other places, such as the kitchen or the garden, we spend a very large part of our lifetime in beds and on mattresses. Accordingly, we should carefully select a mattress, with or without memory effect, comforters, and pillows.