How to remove masking?

This surely has been asked before but I can't find anything. If you create a mask it becomes permanent. Yes, you paint over it but not with fluidty. The masked part is forever "dry". Even creating a layer above it the mask follows it! Am I missing something or is it not possible to make that area "wet" again?

[Taron]

Just hit [delete] when in mask painting mode!
[q] to toggle mask painting mode on/off!

Well, thanks and what the heck! I was sure I'd tried that already.... Sorry to have wasted your time.

[Taron]

You ain't ever wasting my time...uh...until I would say so, I mean, hehehe! Nah, it's all new, you know, and I always try to imagine what it's like!