Magnetic nasal dilator: how it works and how to put it on
The essentials in brief
- The magnetic nasal dilator (many people search for it as a magnetic nasal strip) has two parts: two small self-adhesive patches go on either side of the nose, and a slightly flexible nose band clicks onto them with magnets and pulls the sides of the nostrils outwards.
- The nose band sits on the outside: nothing needs to go into your nostrils. The patches go directly above the nostrils and touch only the nose, not the cheeks.
- The nose band is reusable; only the patches need replacing. You need one pair of patches per night.
- The Easy Sleep Pro box contains 4 nose bands in different sizes, a magnetic applicator and 30 patches (15 pairs). The right size is the one that matches the width of your nostrils.
- After applying the patches, wait 3–5 minutes so they stick properly, and only then put on the nose band, magnets facing down.
- Do not use it when you have a cold or difficulty breathing, or after alcohol or sleeping pills. For adults only.
Contents
The most common misconception about the magnetic nasal dilator is that it goes into your nostrils. It does not. The whole device sits on the outside, on either side of the nose, and once you have put it on correctly, it clicks off in the morning just as easily as it went on in the evening.
Putting it on does have a few small rules, though, and most "it doesn't work" complaints come from these: the patch was placed in the wrong spot, or the nose band is the wrong size. This article walks you through putting it on, choosing the size and the typical mistakes.
What is a magnetic nasal dilator?
The magnetic nasal dilator is a reusable nose band that attaches with magnets to two small self-adhesive patches on either side of the nose. The nose band gently pulls the sides of the nostrils outwards, so the entrance to the nasal passage is wider and air flows in through the nose more easily. It is a comfort product, not a medical device, and it contains no active ingredients.
In searches it often appears as a magnetic nasal strip, because it is held in place with patches: it is the same device. In our range, this is the Easy Sleep Pro Magnetic Nose Dilator, in black and clear. The clear version is barely visible on the face.
How does it work?
The two self-adhesive patches go on either side of the nose, directly above the nostrils. There is a magnet at each end of the nose band, which clicks onto the patches by itself. The nose band is not completely rigid: it pushes outwards, and in doing so pulls the sides of the nostrils outwards too. This keeps the nostril opening wider even when you breathe in, when the sides of the nostrils would otherwise tend to pull slightly inwards.
The mechanics are simple, and they lead to the most important rule: the nose band can only pull if the patches are in the right place and well stuck. So when putting it on, the tricky part is not the magnet but the patch.
What is in the box?
The Easy Sleep Pro box contains 4 magnetic nose bands in different sizes, 1 magnetic applicator and 30 self-adhesive patches. You need one pair of patches per night, so the patches in the box are enough for 15 nights. The nose band is reusable, and the patches can be replaced with a refill pack.
- 4 nose bands in four sizes. Durable, slightly flexible material. There are four because nostril width varies from person to person, and a good fit is what makes it work.
- Applicator. It has a built-in magnet: you put the patch on it and use it to press the patch into place on your nose, so it goes on quickly and hygienically.
- 30 patches. Skin-friendly, hypoallergenic, breathable material.
The patches are also available separately: the Adhesive Patch for Easy Sleep PRO comes in 1, 2 or 3-month packs, and the 1-month pack contains 30 pairs of patches. We recommend ordering the patches together with the nose band if you plan to use it every night, because the 15 pairs in the box last two weeks.
How to put it on: four steps
Wash your nose with soapy water or wipe it with an alcohol wipe, and wait until it is completely dry. Use the applicator to stick the patches on either side of the nose, directly above the nostrils, and press them down. Wait 3–5 minutes for them to stick. Finally, put on the nose band: the magnetic ends click onto the patches by themselves.
- Cleaning. The patch will not stick to oily skin or skin with cream on it. Put it on in the evening before your face cream, or wipe the cream off your nose.
- Where the patches go. Directly above the nostril, not on the nostril. The curved part of the patch should fit snugly around the nostril and touch only the nose, not the cheek.
- Waiting. 3–5 minutes for the adhesive to grip. If you put the nose band on straight away, its pulling force can shift the freshly applied patch.
- The nose band. Place it on your nose with the magnets facing down. If you put it on the other way round, it will not hold properly.
In the morning, simply click the nose band off the magnets and gently peel off the patches. The nose band goes back in the box for the next evening.
Which size is right, and what are the common mistakes?
The right nose band is as wide as your nostrils: its inner edge gently touches the widest part of the nostrils. It may only lightly touch the bridge of the nose, or sit slightly above it. To test a size, place the nose band at the bottom of your nose and check whether it fits. If it does not, try the next size.
| Symptom | What causes it | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You notice no change in your breathing | Wrong size, or the patch is in the wrong place | Try another size and check that the patch is directly above the nostril |
| The nose band presses on the bridge of the nose | The patches are too high or too low | Adjust the patches so that the nose band only lightly touches the bridge of the nose |
| The nose band comes off during the night | Skin with cream on it, or the nose band went on too soon | Clean, dry skin, and a 3–5 minute wait after applying |
| The magnet does not click on | The nose band is upside down | The magnets should face down |
| The patch also pulls on the cheek | It is placed too far out, on the cheek | The patch should touch only the nose |
On the first evening, spend five minutes in front of the mirror and try all the sizes. Once you have found yours, putting it on takes a minute.
Magnetic nasal dilator or nasal strip?
Both do the same thing: they widen the sides of the nostrils mechanically, from the outside. The difference is in how they are built. The nasal strip is a single, single-use strip on the bridge of the nose; the magnetic nasal dilator is a reusable nose band with two small patches. If you want a simple, quick solution, start with the nasal strip. If you would use it every night and want to match the size to your nose, the magnetic nasal dilator is for you.
| Aspect | Nasal strip | Magnetic nasal dilator |
|---|---|---|
| Design | One strip on the bridge of the nose | Nose band and two small patches |
| Reusable? | No, one strip per night | The nose band yes, the patch no |
| Size | One size | 4 nose band sizes in the box |
| Application | One move | Patch, 3–5 minute wait, nose band |
| Colour | Black or clear | Black or clear |
We wrote about the Easy Sleep Nasal Strip and compared the three tools (nasal strip, nasal dilator, mouth tape) in our detailed guide.
Nasal dilator for sleep and sport
The magnetic nasal dilator is designed for both night and day. It is water- and sweat-resistant, so you can also wear it for running, cycling or yoga, on a morning run along the river just as well as in the gym. For sleep, many people use it together with mouth tape: the nasal dilator makes nasal breathing easier, and the mouth tape keeps the mouth closed.
For sport, keep one thing in mind: at low and medium intensity, nasal breathing can be sustained, but at high intensity the body needs more air than you can draw in through the nose. In that case, breathing through the mouth is natural, and the nasal dilator is not meant to change that.
If you want to combine them for sleep, our article on mouth tape explains how to get used to it gradually. Mouth tape should only ever be used when you can breathe freely through your nose.
When should you not use the nasal dilator?
It is not for children, and not for adults when they have a cold, a badly blocked nose, or have recently had nose surgery or an injury. Do not use it after alcohol, sleeping pills or sedatives either. If you have difficulty breathing, a heart condition or pauses in your breathing during sleep, talk to your doctor first.
Do not use it in these cases, or only after consulting your doctor:
- if you have difficulty breathing or a known respiratory condition;
- when you have a cold or a badly blocked nose;
- after drinking alcohol, or when taking sleeping pills or sedatives;
- if you have low blood pressure or an existing heart condition;
- after recent nose surgery or injury, or if the skin on your nose is damaged;
- if you are sensitive to adhesives;
- if you have pauses in your breathing during sleep, or the people around you notice them;
- for children: the nasal dilator is for adults only.
The magnetic nasal dilator is a comfort and well-being product, not a medical device, and it is not suitable for treating health conditions.
In summary
The magnetic nasal dilator works when three things are right: the patch is directly above the nostril, the nose band size fits your nose, and the magnets face down. The first evening is spent choosing the size; after that, putting it on becomes routine.
The nose band is reusable; only the patches run out. You will find the patch refill and our other sleep-related products in the sleep and breathing collection.
