Facebook Pauses Sales of Oculus Quest 2 Over Skin Irritation

[Uskompuf]

Facebook has recently announced they have paused global sales of the Oculus Quest 2 while they work to include a silicon cover to supplement the original foam face pad. The original foam cover caused skin irritation for select users so Facebook has launched a voluntary recall of the cover in the US and Canada while they work to ensure that all new products will ship with the updated silicon cover. Facebook has received 5,716 reports of skin irritation where 45 cases required medical attention from 4.2 million units shipped in the US and Canada. Facebook will also introduce a new 128 GB model when the Oculus Quest 2 resumes sales on August 24th which will replace the original 64 GB model at the same 300 USD price.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Daisho11]

Skin irritation should be the least of one's worries when using anything from Facebook.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

fb is known for more than just skin irritations...

 

[GrayAx]

A useful thing to add to the article for anyone who doesn't know:
Anyone with a Quest 2 can apply to get a free silicone mask/cover from facebook, regardless of if their unit has problems or not.
Which anyone who just uses the foam with no cover really should do. https://www.oculus.com/quest-2/removable-facial-interface-alert/
(If for no other reason than to cost facebook a couple extra cents.)

I really hope that facebook bumbling around with this will make it so that including covers become standard for XR/VR headsets going forwards.
It's so dumb how the standard up until now has been the foam mask, which is ridiculously unhygienic. Especially considering how cheap it would be to just include a silicone cover with the units in the first place.

 

[ThrashZone]

HI,
Skin irritation after 24 hours constant use lol okay kids will be kids

 

[Yttersta]

HI,
Skin irritation after 24 hours constant use lol okay kids will be kids

I went back to both the TP and the source article. I couldn't find anything about such a statement that it occurs at such a long session of use.

 

[Punkenjoy]

HI,
Skin irritation after 24 hours constant use lol okay kids will be kids

I think the real issue is the foam was porous and that create a good environment for bacteria.

Initially, I didn't had any skin irritation when doing long sessions (1h+).

Then i started playing Thrill of the fight, (an intense boxing game). Well after 2-3 sessions where the foam was soaking wet, i started to get skin irritation each time I would use the headset even if i tried to sanitize it. So i just bought a silicon cover for the foam and since then no issue. It stay in place better, it's easier to clean and it cost me 10$

But i won't complain if Oculus send me a new one !

I am still very satisfied of the device, it's one of the rare device that the spec improved after release. (120hz, Link over WIFI, etc.). As for being to be with Facebook, except the fact that they ask you to connect to facebook messenger, there isn't really a big deal there.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Actually, the rubberized material in question is causing full-on rashes, not just "skin-irritation". FB has a bit of a serious situation on their hands. Hope they make it right.

 

[ThrashZone]

I think the real issue is the foam was porous and that create a good environment for bacteria.

Initially, I didn't had any skin irritation when doing long sessions (1h+).

Then i started playing Thrill of the fight, (an intense boxing game). Well after 2-3 sessions where the foam was soaking wet, i started to get skin irritation each time I would use the headset even if i tried to sanitize it. So i just bought a silicon cover for the foam and since then no issue. It stay in place better, it's easier to clean and it cost me 10$

But i won't complain if Oculus send me a new one !

I am still very satisfied of the device, it's one of the rare device that the spec improved after release. (120hz, Link over WIFI, etc.). As for being to be with Facebook, except the fact that they ask you to connect to facebook messenger, there isn't really a big deal there.

Hi,
Yeah I don't do facebook so I'd never buy anything connected to them or ms for that matter.

 

[TheDeeGee]

Should make them from velour, which has less change to sweat and easy to wash.

My Earpads from my headphone are velour as well, and i wash those every 6 weeks or so.

 

[ThrashZone]

Should make them from velour, which has less change to sweat and easy to wash.

My Earpads from my headphone are velour as well, and i wash those every 6 weeks or so.

Hi,
Wow I'd think cleaning every week would be best if you use them daily.

 

[xkm1948]

Meh I did not even use the default face cover. Have my own.

But that 128GB model at same price is nice if folks play standalone Quest titles. TBH Airlink is so good now there is little reason for folks with a good gaming PC to play standalone Quest2

 

[TheDeeGee]

Hi,
Wow I'd think cleaning every week would be best if you use them daily.

Depends on how sweaty people are, and if they have a greasy face.

 

[Punkenjoy]

It also depend on how many user use it, i am the only one that use my headset. But if you have a family, and pass it to other people, it can certainly mess up skin biome.

 

[Caring1]

FB has a bit of a serious situation on their hands. Hope they make it right.

Actually the users have a serious issue, FB only handed them the gun, they didn't tell them to pull the trigger.
Improper use is the issue and idiots will blame anyone but themselves.

 

[Mussels]

Ignoring the anti FB trolls, this is good business

Free cover for all owners, selling a new easily identified model (more storage) with the fix included at the same price


People make such a big deal that it needs a login, like every game service doesnt need that already... just dont attach it to your personal account and details and its a non issue

 

[INSTG8R]

Should make them from velour, which has less change to sweat and easy to wash.

My Earpads from my headphone are velour as well, and i wash those every 6 weeks or so.

I was hoping these covers were velour, turned out to be Jersey, but very comfortable, came in a pair and are washable. I’ve already put in for the silicone set, why not. If I don’t like it I already have my comfortable solution

. I also only do velour pad headphones I absolutely HATE pleather/PV/PU

 

[MentalAcetylide]

Hi,
Wow I'd think cleaning every week would be best if you use them daily.

If the devices are being used daily, it should probably be cleaned daily after finished using them for the day. This way they are clean & have time to dry before the next use. Also, material that is going to be in direct & tight contact with the skin should be porous(allow the skin to breathe) and separately washable(i.e. removable/replaceable) from the headset. I know someone said before not to use porous material, but its perfectly fine if you clean it properly & regularly.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Actually the users have a serious issue, FB only handed them the gun, they didn't tell them to pull the trigger.
Improper use is the issue and idiots will blame anyone but themselves.

What? You're blaming people for using the headset they bought in the way it's intended to be used? Is that what you are saying? That makes zero sense..

If the devices are being used daily, it should probably be cleaned daily after finished using them for the day. This way they are clean & have time to dry before the next use.

While this is good advice, this isn't the problem. The material that touches the face is the problem. It's likely absorbing skin oils, reacting with them and producing compounds that are causing reactions. This has been seen with headphone covers that go over the ears.

 

[Caring1]

If the devices are being used daily, it should probably be cleaned daily after finished using them for the day. This way they are clean & have time to dry before the next use. Also, material that is going to be in direct & tight contact with the skin should be porous(allow the skin to breathe) and separately washable(i.e. removable/replaceable) from the headset. I know someone said before not to use porous material, but its perfectly fine if you clean it properly & regularly.

This guy gets it.
People not doing the right thing is the cause, much like the reported rashes from face masks, it's because of hygiene, not the mask, or the headset.

 

[lexluthermiester]

This guy gets it.
People not doing the right thing is the cause, much like the reported rashes from face masks, it's because of hygiene, not the mask, or the headset.

I keep very clean and when I bought a headset that started giving me rashes on my ears and side of the head, I knew in a flash what the problem was. It sure as hell wasn't my personal hygiene. It was the material the headphone ear pads were made of. And when I took the set back to Costco, they informed me as the return was being processed the there had been a bunch of returns. They had a pile of them just for that day's returns on a cart behind the counter.

So no, personal hygiene is very unlikely to be the problem with these Oculus headsets. It is far more likely to be a formulation problem with the cushion material.

 

[INSTG8R]

This guy gets it.
People not doing the right thing is the cause, much like the reported rashes from face masks, it's because of hygiene, not the mask, or the headset.

Non-removable foam is kinda hard to “wipe” it’s literally a sponge glued to a frame…

 

[laszlo]

cheapest raw materials for maximizing profits .. nothing new under the sun...

 

[ThrashZone]

cheapest raw materials for maximizing profits .. nothing new under the sun...

Hi,
Clearly not tested lol

 

[Mussels]

Hi,
Clearly not tested lol

With how few people have a reaction, it may have been tested on thousands of people without spotting it

Like i'm allergic to a whole bunch of fruit (and i mean a LOT of them), so i'm allergic to anything with aloe vera... so one product largely considered beneficial to many for skin products is a huge nope to me (and presumably a decent amount of others globally)