How Do I Know If Nasal Strips Are Actually Working?
The short answer
A working nasal strip makes breathing in through your nose feel a little easier, because it gently lifts the sides of your nose. The change is usually subtle, not dramatic. If you feel nothing, check that the strip is centered just above your nostril flare and that blockage inside your nose isn't the real issue.
How a nasal strip works
A nasal strip is a flexible band with an adhesive underside. Once it's stuck on, it tries to spring back to a flatter shape and gently pulls the sides of your nose outward.
The front part of your nasal passage, called the nasal valve, is usually its narrowest point. Lifting the sides of the nose from outside can widen it a little, so air meets less resistance when you breathe in.
What you may notice
- Easier inhaling. Air may move more freely through your nostrils, especially if they tend to feel narrow when you breathe in.
- A light pull on the sides of the nose. That's the strip doing its job. Most people stop noticing it quickly.
- Possibly quieter snoring. Strips are more likely to help when snoring comes from a narrow or blocked nose. They don't solve every cause of snoring.
- Nothing dramatic. If your nose is already clear, the difference can be hard to feel.
A 30-second test
- Breathe in firstTake two slow breaths through your nose and notice how each side feels.
- Apply the stripUse clean, dry skin and follow our placement guide.
- Breathe in againCompare. The difference is usually clearest on the inhale.
- Check the mirrorThe strip should sit centered across the bridge, with the ends just above the nostril flare. Too high, and it has nothing to lift.
What results are realistic
A strip helps with narrowing at the front of the nose. It doesn't reduce swelling from a cold or allergies, and it can't fix blockage deeper inside the nose. If a well-placed strip makes no difference, the blockage may simply be deeper than a strip can reach.
It also won't change the shape of your nose. And for sport, a 2020 systematic review of exercise studies found no improvement in oxygen use, heart rate or perceived effort in healthy people. We cover that in our guide to wearing strips while working out.
A short FAQ
How soon should I feel a difference?
A strip works mechanically, so you can usually tell within a few minutes. There's no build-up period.
Does feeling nothing mean the strip is faulty?
Not necessarily. Check placement and skin preparation first. If your nose isn't narrow at the front, a strip may simply have little to offer you.
Keep reading
A strip made to stay put
If you'd like to try one, Réspirer Nasal Strips are drug-free and made with a strong adhesive, so you can judge the difference without a strip that peels halfway through.
Explore Réspirer Nasal Strips