Memory Foam

Everything you need to know about Memory Foam

At the Memory Foam Shop we're experts in memory foam. The Memory Foam Shop has been supplying the leading memory foam products to UK customers for years so if there's something we don't know about memory foam, it's not worth knowing. You can find out everything you neeed to know about memory foam from it's history to it's future in our helpful information guide.

• What is memory foam?
• Where did memory foam come from?
• Can memory foam improve circulation?
• Memory foam and back problems / spinal curvature / hip, knee and joint problems
• Can memory foam help sleep apnea & snoring?
• Can memory foam help with insomnia & sleep disturbances?
• Is memory foam hypoallergenic?
• What’s the difference between a memory foam mattress and a spring based mattress?
• Should I buy a memory foam mattresses or an air mattresses?
• Is a memory foam mattress better than a latex foam mattress?
• What is the initial smell that comes from memory foam?
• Do memory foam mattresses make you perspire?
• Are memory foam mattresses compatible with electric blankets?
• Is memory foam right for me?
  
  

What is memory foam?

 

Memory foam was originally known as visco-elastic polyurethane foam because it shares properties with a liquid and a solid. Visco elastic foam or memory foam, is made up of open cells, which pass air to adjacent cells when pressed down upon. Memory foam is temperature sensitive, which means that at lower temperatures it is firmer (more viscous), and at higher temperatures it is softer and more conforming (more elastic). Hence the reason memory foam is known as visco-elastic memory foam. It's this property that causes memory foam to hold its shape temporarily after pressure is removed and it's this unique feature that's developed into to the more common name of memory foam.

There are a couple of reasons why memory foam is so unique. First is the way memory foam cells deform when weight is applied. Memory foam is made up of open cell foam, which means the individual cells in the foam have holes in them. Unlike standard foams, that compress and want to spring back to their original shape immediately, memory foam cells compress fully and spread their air pressure to adjoining cells. This spreads the pressure through a greater number of cells of the memory foam, which decreases the pressure you feel from the cells of the memory foam that you are in contact with. This ability of memory foam to deform also allows it to really conform to your body's shape and weight bearing areas, thereby reducing pressure points. No other material has this ability to shape to your body - this is unique to memory foam.

The second feature that makes memory foam so unique is it's temperature sensitive visco-elastic properties. Its open cell structure reacts to body heat by responding to changes in temperature. As the foam comes into contact with an increase in temperature (from the body), the foam realigns to provide a cushion, softening at the points where the body increases the temperature of the foam. The foam then moulds itself to the contours of the human body, providing excellent support and unbeatable comfort.
 

Where did memory foam come from?

 

Memory foam was developed in the 1960's by NASA to improve the safety of aircraft cushions and reduce pressure points experienced by astronauts. The G-forces generated during lift off caused uncomfortable sensations for astronauts in their flight chairs, and visco elastic foam, as it was initially named, was able to greatly reduce their discomfort and improve their orthopaedic support.

Memory foam was subsequently used medically, memory foam mattress pads were developed for patients who used to lie immobile in bed on firm mattresses for unhealthy periods. Before the introduction of memory foam mattress pads and foam pillows, the pressure over some of their bony regions decreased or stopped blood flow causing pressure sores. Memory foam was so successful in improving the comfort of patients, that it was soon developed further for people with back problems and sleeping trouble*.
 

Can memory foam improve circulation?

YES! The superior support provided by a Hypnia memory foam mattress, not only provides relief for joints and pressure points but the reduced stress on muscles surrounding those joints improves circulation and means you wake up properly rested and ready to tackle the day ahead*.

Memory foam and back problems / spinal curvature / hip, knee and joint problems

 

Memory foam is a temperature sensitive visco-elastic material, it reacts to body heat and weight by 'moulding' to and briefly remembering your body shape, helping relieve pressure points. As a result of the foams "memory" moulding, a mattress topper or memory foam mattress will automatically adjust itself to your personal shape. Your weight is distributed evenly across the whole mattress, avoiding painful pressure in one particular spot. Memory foam is an insulating material that responds to changes in temperature so as the foam comes into contact with an increase in temperature from your body, it softens at the points where the body increases the temperature of the foam. This causes the foam to mould itself to the contours of the human body, providing excellent support at pressure points along the spine, legs, hips and knees. This makes it possible to avoid some of the stresses on the skeletal and muscle systems of the body that are incurred during sleep on any other type of mattress. When you shift positions on memory foam, the foam automatically realigns to maintain the cushion effect *.
 

Can memory foam help with sleep apnea & snoring?

YES! In some cases, snoring can be aggravated by the sleeping position. Memory foam mattresses mould to the users body and support them in the ideal sleeping position. If you are finding your sleeping uncomfortable and you're tossing and turning, then a memory foam mattress can help. A comfortable pillow that properly supports the neck and head is also extremely important, especially since side-sleeping is recommended with a sleep condition like apnea. Visco memory foam pillows come in 'Contoured' shapes and a Hypnia memory foam pilows softens at body temperature and closely contours to your neck and head to improve comfort and support *.
 

Can memory foam help with Insomnia & sleep disturbances?

YES! Memory foam uses polyurethane foam, made up of tiny air bubbles. The air in each cell moves from cell to cell as you lie on it, allowing some cells to compress and other cells to expand. With the pressure distributed evenly across the whole body, there is less of a chance of waking in order to find a more comfortable position. Hypnia memory foam mattresses are so effective at relieving pressure and dispersing your body’s weight over a wider area that they have been both clinically and medically proven to reduce tossing and turning through the night by up to 80%. This ensures you get longer periods of undisturbed sleep, which results in you waking more invigorated, refreshed and energised. The end result of using a Hypnia memory foam mattress is that it is possible to achieve deep REM sleep, which is the most recuperative form of sleep*.
 

Is memory foam hypoallergenic?

Visco elastic foam products, like memory foam mattresses and memory foam mattress toppers, are less likely to harbour dust mites, which tend to breed, reproduce, and thrive in traditional box spring mattresses. Dust Mites are often found in an environment of high humidity and dead skin cells, which they feed upon for nourishment. The end products generated by dust mites create allergic reactions and other respiratory problems. The structure of the visco elastic memory foam makes it impossible for any kind of 'bugs', even including tiny dust mites, to penetrate the mattress. This creates a cleaner and healthier environment, providing the setting for a truly comfortable and therapeutic nights sleep. Memory foam can also help those who suffer from airborne allergies and hay fever, since dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergies in the home.
 

What’s the difference between a memory foam mattress and a spring based mattress?

Both mattresses look similar and both aim to give a good night’s sleep, but memory foam material is different. If you lie on a spring mattress the springs push back to support your body. This means that pressure builds on certain parts of your body, specifically your joints, where the springs are pushing back. These are your pressure points. Memory foam eliminates pressure points by not pushing back against your body as you lie down and accounts for the melting feeling that you get lying down on a memory foam mattress. Contrast this with a normal mattress that is simply flat. However well sprung, it will never precisely mould to the curves of a human body. Memory foam is the future for mattresses; no springs means no pressure points so no tossing and turning.
 

Should I buy a memory foam mattresses or an air mattresses?

Air mattresses have gradually become more popular due to their unique feature which allows you to change the feel of the mattress via a control. Whilst air mattresses have improved over the years, unfortunately, an air mattress has many parts that can and often do break. For this reason, the small print of the guarantees can contain considerably less coverage. In any case you wont get the same contouring and cradling of the body that you get with a Hypnia memory foam mattress, as air beds will not make an imprint of your body. Air mattresses are more similar to a spring mattress, in that they will also cause a 'droop' effect and sag inward when pressure is applied, without moulding to the specific curves of your body. This is because air displaces to the sides of the body, leaving the middle with less support. Memory and to some extent latex foam are the only substances that can accomplish a contouring of the body, without losing support.     
 

Is a memory foam mattress better than a latex foam mattress?

Memory foam is far more comfortable than latex foam and it outperforms latex foam in all recognised comfort tests. Natural latex foam is processed rubber tree sap but most brands refrain from using 100% natural latex in their mattresses as it's the most expensive bedding material on the market. They usually only include 1 - 2 inches of 100% natural latex on top just to promote its "natural" qualities. Allergies to latex can also be triggered
 

What is the initial smell that comes from memory foam?

While Hypnia memory foam does NOT contain toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde or PBDE (polybrominateddiphenylether), there can be a "new foam" smell. This can stay for a couple of days, up to a couple of weeks. While this smell does not trigger allergies, it can be a bother initially for people who are sensitive to smells. For those of you who do experience this, here are some tips to help the smell to dissipate quicker. Airing out the room and washing the cover after the first couple of nights sleep will help to eliminate the odors. Or use a dish of vinegar on the night stand, this can help neutralise the odors.
 

Do memory foam mattresses make you perspire?

The number one complaint made by users of visco elastic foam products, is the heat generated during use because some lesser quality memory foam can be uncomfortabley warm to sleep on. Hypnia memory foam mattresses and 3" memory foam toppers are provided with 'CoolSoft' covers. These allow the mattress to breathe by allowing air to enter and circulate beneath the sheets, without compromising the support. The result is plenty of ventilation and a sensible balance of compression and support.
 

Are memory foam mattresses compatible with electric blankets?

In the long term, using an electric blanket regularly can break down the memory cells of a memory foam mattress. However there is no reason not to use an electric blanket occasionally to warm the bed before sleep, as long as it is not left on all night.
 

Is memory foam right for me?

*Memory foam is not for everyone. In particular if you have a back problem or any other medical complaint you should always first consult your doctor for expert information and advice.

For more information about our memory foam products please visit our partners Hypnia