How do Breathe Right Nasal Strips Work? (& How to Apply Them)

Key Takeaways

• Breathe Right Nasal Strips work by using flexible spring-like bands to lift your nostrils and widen your nasal passages for easier breathing.

• They may help to reduce snoring, relieve congestion, and support better sleep.

• Proper use requires clean skin, correct placement, and firm adhesion.

• Some users experience skin irritation and redness when using Breathe Right, making Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips the better choice.

Blocked nasal passages can ruin your sleep and leave you dreaming of the days when you could breathe more freely. That’s why so many people are trying to find quick relief with Breathe Right Nasal Strips.

Breathe Right strips work by mechanically opening the nostrils from the outside. This reduces air resistance, which improves nasal airflow instantly. They don’t solve all nasal breathing problems (like polyps), but for issues like snoring or mild congestion, they can be a great help.

In this article, we’ll dive further into what Breathe Right Strips are, how they work, the right way to apply them, when they might not help, and compare them with alternatives like Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips.

What Are Breathe Right Nasal Strips?

Breathe Right Nasal Strips are small adhesive strips with flexible, spring-like bands. Once they are placed across the bridge of your nose, they gently lift outward, pulling open your nostrils.

They are a great way to widen your nasal passages naturally and are especially useful if you’re an allergy sufferer, snorer, or athlete who wants to breathe easier while exercising.

Since they only stick to the outside of the nose, they’re simple, non-invasive, and available over the counter. 

How Do Breathe Right Strips Work

Breathe Right Nasal Strips use spring-like tension to gently pull outward on your nostrils. They have an adhesive on one side, and when applied across the bridge of your nose, they create a lifting action that opens up your nasal passages, allowing more air to pass through.

They are particularly helpful for:

• When you have nasal congestion from colds or allergies

• A mildly deviated septum

• Snoring linked to nasal breathing problems

By keeping your nostrils open, you may reduce snoring and improve sleep quality, however, they might not be very effective with structural issues like nasal polyps or a nasal valve collapse. 

Find out more about how nasal strips work and the difference between nasal strips vs nasal dilators here. 

Easy Application Guide for Breathe Right Strips

If you want to get the most out of wearing nasal strips, correct application is very important.  Follow these three steps on how to apply nasal strips to help you get the best results.

Step 1: Clean and Dry Your Nose 

Wash your face thoroughly to remove any dirt and excess oils. Dry your skin completely with a clean towel, since the adhesive won’t stick properly to wet or oily skin. For best results, also avoid applying moisturizers to the area you’ll be sticking the strip to. 

This ensures the strip stays in place overnight or during exercise, allowing the spring band to open your nostrils and increase airflow.

Step 2: Position the Strip

It’s time to peel the backing off the strip’s adhesive and place it horizontally across the bridge of your nose (just above the widest part of your nostrils).

Positioning is important! If the strip is too high and it won’t effectively lift your nostrils, or if it’s too low, it won’t grip properly. 

When the strip is placed correctly, both ends of the strip should also rest evenly on either side of your nose.

Step 3: Press and Hold

Once you find the right position on your nose, press down firmly along the entire length of the strip. Keep pressing for 5-10 seconds to ensure it’s in place securely. Make sure both ends stick down tightly.

When Breathe Right Strips Might Not Work

Nasal strips can be helpful, but don’t solve all breathing problems. Here are a few common reasons they might not work.

1. Structural Issues

If you have internal nasal problems like a severe deviated septum or nasal polyps, external strips won’t fix the obstruction.

These issues occur deeper inside the nasal cavity, where the lifting effects of strips may have little to no effect.

While nasal strips may give some mild relief, surgery or medical treatment is usually required for lasting improvement in these types of conditions.

Learn more in our guide: Why can’t I breathe through my nose?

2. Sleep Apnea 

You might be wondering, do nasal strips treat sleep apnea? While nasal strips may reduce snoring and mouth breathing (two factors that can worsen sleep apnea), they can’t treat the condition or prevent apnea episodes. 

If you suspect you might have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional. Nasal strips may complement your therapy, but cannot replace CPAP or other medical treatments.

Take a look at some of the best CPAP accessories for better sleep.

3. Persistent Snoring 

If your snoring continues despite using nasal strips, the cause of your snoring might be coming from something other than congestion or a nasal blockage. Things like mouth breathing, relaxed throat muscles, and tongue position can all contribute to snoring.

In these cases, other solutions like mouth tape, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, medical treatments, or other tips to stop mouth breathing may be more effective for reducing snoring and improving sleep quality.

Check out our list of the best nasal strips for snoring and some other natural remedies to stop snoring tonight.

Key Differences Between Breathe Right vs. Second Wind Nasal Strips

Find Nasal Congestion Relief with Second Wind Nasal Strips

If nasal congestion or snoring is disrupting your nights, Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips may be the solution for you. 

With more effective adhesion and lift, they help keep nostrils open longer and more consistently without any discomfort or skin irritation. Plus, choose from two different strengths and colors to meet your unique preferences.

Breathe easier instantly with Second Wind Nasal Strips.