For those of us who wear glasses for extended periods of time, we may have to deal with the dreaded aftermath of those nose bridge markings. If you aren’t familiar with how glasses nose pads leave marks on your nose bridge, then consider yourself lucky! Unfortunately, this is still a problem that many people have, and this article is meant to help you fix those annoying skin indents.
Before jumping into the remedies for nose bridge indents, we have to discuss why these glasses’ nose pads leave marks on your nose bridge at all.
Why Do Glasses Nose Pads Leave Marks on Your Nose Bridge?
Believe it or not, glasses are not supposed to create those markings on your skin at all. The purpose of those nose pads is to help your eyewear fit comfortably on your face without the need to push them up constantly.
Your glasses also should not be so tight that they are leaving indents on the side of your head. If ignored, those indents can lead to prolonged pain such as headaches. If you are finding that you have markings then it is a tell-tale sign that your eyewear does not fit properly.
Here are some other reasons why the pads are causing marks on your face:
- The eyewear is not the correct fit. Frames are fit to the face following what is called a three point fit—your glasses should only touch above each ear and then on the bridge of the nose.
- The eyewear is not level. When fitting your frames, your optometrist should make sure that the weight of the glasses is evenly distributed. If it is not, they may sit unevenly on your face and cause discomfort.
- The frames are too bulky. Depending on the shape of your face and how sensitive your skin is, certain frames can put more strain around where they sit. The weight from heavier frames causes stress on your nose bridge, which then creates the uncomfortable marks.
Short-Term Fixes
While these marks are annoying, there are several ways to relieve the discomfort. Some short term fixes for glasses nose pads that leave marks on your skin are:
Massaging Your Nose
If your glasses’ nose pads leave marks on your skin, and you can’t manually adjust the bridge on your own, massaging the irritated spot can help alleviate the discomfort.
As a further measure, you can also use a gentle moisturizer on the affected area—the skin around your eyes is sensitive, so something unscented and dermatologist-approved is your best bet. Keeping the skin healthy and moisturized can help reduce discomfort in the future, as well.
Wearing Preventative Measures
For those who wear plastic frames, readjusting your eyewear is not that easy. Luckily there are plenty of accessories that you can add to your eyewear to make them fit more snugly on your face. Some of these accessories include:
- Slip grip ear adjusters
- Silicone eyeglass pads that can be attached to your current glasses
- Templesox or another eyeglass arm cover
- Adjustable strap
All of these options are great, inexpensive fixes if you don’t want to buy a new pair of glasses, but the glasses’ nose pads leave marks all over your nose bridge.
Want a More Permanent Fix?
The best permanent solution would be to schedule an appointment with your optometrist to discuss possible causes for your discomfort. This conversation may lead to adjusting your frames or getting a new pair of glasses. As you age, your body will gradually change and the glasses that once fit you five years ago may not be the best pair now.
Adjusting the Pads
The default nose pads that come on your frames may not be the right ones for your face. If they are leaving marks behind on the bridge of your nose, your optician may be able to swap them out for another set.
Wider nose pads can help distribute the weight more evenly, and pads made of softer materials (such as silicone) can help lower chances of irritation.
Adjusting the Frames
Sometimes, the reason behind glasses that leave markings on your nose is simply an inaccurate fit.
If your glasses feel too tight, then widening the nose bridge or adjusting the arms can mitigate the pain, and soften the pressure that the frames put on your skin. It is not recommended to make these adjustments yourself—your optician will have the right tools to adjust your frames as needed without fear of damaging your glasses.
Replacing the Frames
If all else fails, it may be time for a new set of frames. Glasses that are too heavy will most faithfully leave marks behind.
You could consider investing in a pair of thin-framed or rimless glasses—their sleek design means there is less weight on your nose bridge, thus saving it from being squished by the nose pads. Or, if you are a fan of thicker glasses, a solid frame may be more comfortable as it evenly distributes the weight instead of focusing on a single spot.
3 Tips to Reduce the Chances of Nose Marks
While you are seeking a solution for your eyewear nose marks, there are a couple of options for prevention.
1. Keeping Your Face Clean
Washing your face and glasses regularly can help a lot. Oil, makeup, and dust can accumulate on your glasses and cause irritation—prolonged exposure to such irritants can make the points of contact between your skin and your glasses become uncomfortable much faster.
2. Switching Glasses
If you have an extra pair of glasses around, it might be good to rotate between them regularly. Swapping between those with nose pads and those with a solid frame could give your skin some breathing room. Additionally, removing your glasses entirely in high humidity or while you are sweating will help prevent nose marks from forming.
3. Use Moisturizer
Like other parts of your skin, your nose needs some care too. Applying moisturizer will prevent your skin from drying up and developing those pesky red marks.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to avoid eyeglass nose markings when you depend on your lenses. Fortunately, these tips are a great way to mitigate the damage and even prevent it from happening in the first place. By practicing good skin care and knowing the exact fit for your face, you can say goodbye to uncomfortable marks left behind by your frames.
If you want help finding the perfect pair of eyewear, schedule an appointment with True Eye Experts; the experts in providing the eye care best suited for your needs.