Can You Make DIY Nasal Strips at Home? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Key Takeaways

• You can make DIY nasal strips at home using medical tape and thin, flexible plastic.

• DIY strips may provide temporary relief from nasal congestion, snoring, or nighttime breathing difficulties, but they often fail to deliver effective results, lacking comfort, adhesion, and reliability.

• On the other hand, Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips are designed for a long-lasting hold, improved airflow, and skin health.

• If you need consistent results for snoring relief or nasal breathing problems, professionally crafted nose strips are the smarter choice compared to DIY options.

Do you find yourself struggling with snoring or waking up unable to breathe through your nose? Many people turn to nose strips for nasal congestion relief, better sleep, and improved airflow.

But can you make your own DIY nasal strips at home? The answer is yes, but they’re no match for professional options like Second Wind Nasal Strips.

In this guide, you’ll learn what nasal strips are and why people use them, how to make a homemade DIY version, how they compare to other options, and why Second Wind Nasal Strips are the best solution.

What Are Nasal Strips and Why Do People Use Them?

So, how do nasal strips work? They are small adhesive bands placed on the bridge of your nose with a spring-like action that works by gently pulling open the nostrils from the outside, making airflow easier. 

People might use nasal strips to:

• Reduce snoring and improve their sleep quality (as well as their partner’s!)

• Find relief from a stuffy nose stemming from colds, allergies, or obstructions like a deviated septum or nasal polyps.

• Enhance breathing during exercise for better oxygen intake and performance.

Store-bought options like Second Wind Nasal Strips use medical-grade adhesives (that are gentle on the skin) with flexible bands that help to maximize airflow instantly. DIY strips may offer a slight benefit short term, but lack the proper design for optimal results.

Read more here if you’re wondering why can’t I breathe through my nose?

Can You Make Your Own Nasal Strips at Home?

Yes, but with limitations. Sometimes people like to try homemade nasal strips to save money or to test out a quick solution to see if it helps their nasal breathing problems.

Common DIY materials for nasal strips include:

• Medical tape for sticking.

• Thin, flexible plastic for tension.

It’s important that you keep in mind that DIY strips may peel off during sleep, irritate your skin, or fail to provide enough pull to widen your nasal passages naturally.

How to Make Your Own Nasal Strips at Home

Making DIY nasal strips is simple but requires careful assembly.

Step 1: Get Your Materials

Cut a small piece of flexible plastic (like from a plastic folder or a blister pack). This will act as the spring to gently lift your nostrils open. Cut it into a strip about 2 inches long.

Step 2: Add Adhesive

Use medical-grade, skin-safe tape to secure the plastic strip. Place the plastic between two layers of tape, both facing downwards, so that a sticky side remains exposed on one side of your nasal strip. 

Step 3: Apply to Your Nose

Place the sticky side of your homemade nasal strip across the bridge of your nose, along the area just above where your nostrils flare out. It’s important to press it down firmly for about 10 seconds to promote proper adhesion. 

Learn more about how to apply nasal strips properly and other snoring solutions in our Airmax Nasal Dilator review.

Note: DIY strips may not last through the night. Unlike professional products, they aren’t engineered for sweat resistance or with super springy materials for maximum airflow.

Downsides of DIY Nasal Strips

If made correctly and with the right materials, DIY nasal strips could help improve your nasal breathing, but they come with trade-offs. Let’s take a look:

1. Weak Adhesion

Some medical tape can lose its stickiness overnight, especially if you sweat while sleeping. This means your DIY strips may fall off before you actually get the benefits of using them. 

2. Skin Irritation

Creating a DIY product with outsourced adhesives and plastics may cause redness, rashes, or discomfort. On the other hand, store-bought products like Second Wind Nasal Strips use tested, hypoallergenic adhesives to minimize this risk.

Check out more on avoiding skin irritation in our article: Are nasal strips bad for you?

3. Limited Effectiveness

It’s likely that DIY versions may not provide enough spring-like lift to open your nasal passages effectively. So, they might stick to your nose, but they aren’t actually significantly improving airflow. 

According to ENT specialists, professional strips are specially created for measurable, consistent results across different nose shapes and conditions. For example, Second Wind Nasal Strips have been tested and proven to improve nasal breathing by up to 33%. 

These extra tips to stop mouth breathing can further strengthen your nasal breathing practice. 

DIY Nasal Strips Vs Second Wind Nasal Strips

Interested in alternatives to nasal strips? Take a look at nasal strips vs nasal dilators, and check out some of the best nasal dilators for snoring.

Breathe Easy with Second Wind Nasal Strip: The Smarter Choice Over DIY

DIY nasal strips might be a fun craft, but their results are often underwhelming or frustrating. If you want reliable snoring relief, nasal congestion support, and better sleep quality, go for Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips instead. 

They’re designed for comfort, durability, and instantly enhanced airflow, all things that a homemade nasal strip unfortunately can’t guarantee.

Breathe deeper now with Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips.