Glasses can be a great accessory (besides helping you, you know, see well), but one thing I can certainly do without are the little indentations on my nose when I take them off.
If you don’t want your glasses to leave behind a temporary souvenir on your face, read on to see how you can reduce or eliminate those pesky marks altogether.
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Why Glasses Leave Marks on Your Nose
The simple answer is that when you wear glasses, the pressure from the nose pads leaves an imprint on your skin. But there are a few other factors that can contribute to this problem as well.
Bad Fit
If your glasses don’t fit properly, they can put pressure on the bridge of your nose and leave marks. Make sure that your frames are fitted to your face correctly by an optician. The frames should only touch your head above each ear and on the bridge of your nose.
Bulky, Heavy Frame
Another cause of nose marks is a frame that’s chunky or bulky. How sensitive your skin is also influences whether your glasses leave marks or not.
Larger plastic frames can put more pressure on your bridge than a streamlined, semi-rimless wireframe.
Thick Lenses
Naturally, if you have thicker lenses, they will also add more weight to your glasses and put more pressure on your nose. And if the weight isn’t evenly distributed on both sides of your nose, that can cause you to have a deeper mark on one side over the other.
So, now that we know what causes those pesky glasses marks, let’s take a look at how you can prevent them.
How Can I Get Rid Of Those Ugly Nose Dents?
Adjust the Nose Pads
If your glasses come with adjustable nose pads, you can try to adjust them until you find a comfortable fit. The pressure should be evenly distributed on both sides of your nose, and the pads shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
If you don’t have adjustable nose pads, or if manually adjusting them doesn’t help, you can try changing the type of nose pad altogether. There are a variety of different materials that nose pads can be made out of, but the most common ones are plastic and silicone.
Silicone is softer and more comfortable, molds to your features better, and doesn’t leave as much of an imprint.
However, it’s a more porous material and absorbs sweat and dirt more easily, which can cause discoloration. You will likely need to switch out your nose pads more often if you go with silicone.
There are also wider nose pads available that can help distribute the weight of your glasses more evenly and lower the chances of them leaving marks.
Adjust the Frame
Very few people’s faces are perfectly symmetrical or even, so it’s not surprising that your glasses might be a little off-center. If one side of your frame is sitting higher on your nose than the other, it can cause marks.
You can try to adjust the frame yourself, but it’s best to leave this to a professional so you don’t end up damaging your glasses.
If the bridge of your glasses is too narrow, that can also cause problems. A too-narrow bridge pulls the frames closer to your face, which can cause them to leave marks.
The good news is that many glasses can have the bridge and/or temples widened or adjusted by an optician.
Massage Your Nose
A simple but effective remedy, taking your glasses off and massaging your nose will help to stimulate blood flow and reduce the appearance of indentations. Just be sure to use a gentle touch so you don’t irritate your skin.
To massage your nose, start by cupping your hand over your bridge and apply light pressure. Use a circular motion and gradually increase the pressure as you massage.
You can also try using your index and middle finger to massage each side of your nose.
Do this for 1-2 minutes, or until the indentations start to fade.
Switch Glasses
If you have a secondary or backup pair of glasses, sometimes all you need to do is give your nose a break and switch to your other pair for a day or two. This will give your skin time to recover and should help reduce the appearance of the marks.
If you don’t have a second pair of glasses, you can try going without them for a short period of time. If you also wear contact lenses, popping them in for a day or two can help reduce the appearance of glasses marks.
Of course, you should only go without your glasses if it’s safe to do so. With poor vision, it’s best to stick with wearing your glasses and find another solution to the problem.
Take Care of Your Facial Skin
If your skin is dry, oily, or just plain dirty, that can make it more susceptible to indentations from your glasses. Keeping your skin hydrated and clean will help to reduce the appearance of marks and also make them less likely to occur in the first place.
Makeup can also be a problem if it’s not applied correctly. If you wear foundation, be sure to apply it evenly over your entire face. If it’s too thick or cakey, it can accentuate the lines left by your glasses.
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser to wash your face twice a day, and follow up with a hydrating moisturizer. Avoid using harsh scrubs or skin care products with exfoliating beads, as these can irritate your skin and make it more susceptible to marks.
Lastly, apply a moisturizer with at least SPF 30 to your face every day, even if you don’t plan on spending much time outdoors.
Get Glasses That Fit Properly
The best solution for getting rid of glasses marks on your nose is to get glasses that fit properly. Perhaps a lighter weight titanium frame or a pair of rimless or semi-rimless glasses might be a better option for you.
When you get new glasses, it’s important to get them adjusted so they sit properly on your nose. The frames should be level with your eyebrows and the lenses should be centered in front of your pupils.
The best way to find glasses that fit properly is to go to an optician or eye doctor and have them help you pick out the right pair. They will take measurements of your face and help you find frames that fit well and are comfortable to wear.
Once you have the right glasses, be sure to take care of them so they last longer. Clean them regularly with lens cleaner and a soft cloth, and don’t forget to bring them in for your annual eye checkup.