Magnetic nasal strips are the version with a band instead of a strip across your nose. You stick two small patches with a magnet on the sides of your nose and attach the reusable band to them. The band holds on to the patches and gently pulls the sides of your nose outwards, so you breathe through it more easily. You use the band again and again; the patches you replace every night.
This page explains how they work, how they compare to regular nasal strips, and who they suit.
What are magnetic nasal strips?
A magnetic nasal strip has two parts: small patches with a magnet that you stick on the outside of your nostrils, and a band that attaches to those patches. The band comes in four sizes, so it fits your nose. That puts a light outward pull on the sides of your nose.
The difference with a regular strip is how that pull comes about. A classic strip is a springy adhesive band that pulls from the outside. With the magnetic strip the band pulls on the patches; the patches themselves are small and light, and you simply take the band off again in the morning.
Magnetic or regular: what is the difference?
| Feature | Magnetic | Classic strip |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable | Band yes, patches no | No, single use |
| Adhesive on the skin | Only two small patches | A strip across your nose |
| Visible from the outside | Yes, the band | Yes, the strip |
| Fit | Band in four sizes | One size per variant |
| Cost per night | Low, patches from the refill | Fixed per strip |
| Getting used to it | A few nights | Usually straight away |
People who do not want a strip across the nose, or would rather put on a band in the evening, usually end up with the magnetic version. People who want it as simple as possible stick with a strip you stick on. Both sit side by side in the Comformidable nasal strips collection, so you can compare them.
How to wear them
Clean and dry your nose first. Stick a patch on each side of your nose and attach the band to them. The magnets do the rest. If it pulls crooked, take the band off and reattach it rather than tugging at the patches.
When it sits well you feel a light pull at the sides and nothing else. If the band presses or slips, try another of the four sizes. You will be aware of the band for the first few nights. That usually fades within a week.
Reusable: cleaning and lifespan
Take the band off in the morning, peel the patches carefully off your skin and throw them away. Wipe the band with a damp cloth when needed and store it dry in its packaging.
With daily use the band lasts for months. Replace it when it starts to feel slack or the magnets no longer hold well. You buy the patches again as you go: the starter set contains patches for a month, and there are separate refills with 100 patches for the magnetic nasal strips, so you do not have to buy the whole set again.
Who they work for, and who they do not
They help when your nose itself is the bottleneck: narrow nasal passages, exercise, or noticing at night that you switch to mouth breathing because your nose will not cooperate. Handy too when you travel: the band and a few patches fit in any bag.
They are not the answer when the problem sits elsewhere. Snoring has many different causes. If it comes from your throat, your jaw position or your weight, a nasal strip changes nothing. If your nose is blocked by a cold or hay fever, rinse it first with a nasal rinse with rinsing salt, because a nasal strip cannot clear mucus. And if you have pauses in your breathing during sleep or you are extremely sleepy during the day, see your doctor. That is not something to work out on your own.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep and exercise with magnetic nasal strips?
Yes. At night that is the normal use. During exercise the band holds on to the patches, as long as your skin under the patches was clean and dry. If a patch comes loose when you sweat a lot, stick on a new one.
How long do they last?
The band, months with daily use and normal care. There is no fixed expiry date. You replace it by feel: less spring or magnets that no longer hold well are the signal. The patches are meant for one night.
Are they safe to wear every night?
With normal use on clean, dry skin that is not a problem. If you do get irritation or a sore spot, leave the band and patches out for a few nights and check whether the band is the right size.
What is the difference with a magnetic nose dilator?
A nose dilator or nose clip sits inside your nostrils and holds them apart from the inside. The Comformidable magnetic nasal strip works from the outside: patches on the sides of your nose and a band that pulls them outwards. Nothing goes in your nose.
Can I use them with a nose piercing?
That depends on where the piercing sits. The patches stick on the sides of your nostrils, which is usually where a nostril piercing sits. If a patch lands on the jewellery it will not stay on well; a classic strip across the bridge of your nose is more practical then.
Curious whether the magnetic version suits you? Have a look at the Comformidable magnetic nasal strips and try them for a week.
