It’s frustrating to keep adjusting your glasses when they are slipping down your face or are sitting crooked. The most common cause of this is because some plastic glasses frames don’t have nose pads, which are meant to grip to your nose and prevent the sliding and unevenness. If you suffer from this issue, you may be wondering, “Can you add nose pads to plastic glasses? And, if so, how can I do it?” 

You can add nose pads to help hold glasses in place and be gentle on your nose. They’re also preferred since they last longer and are easy to add to your glasses. However, your glasses must have the right frame, and you should choose the right nose pads to fit. 

Adding nose pads is not as hard as it might sound, as with the right guide, you can accomplish this on your own. This article will look at every step you should take when adding nose pads, as well as different types of glass frames and pads. 

How Do You Add Nose Pads to Glasses?

Nose pads play a crucial role in holding your glasses in place and will save you from the inconvenience of adjusting them every few seconds. While some people prefer taking them to professionals to have them added, it’s possible to handle this process yourself. Here are some steps you can follow.

Know the Frame

Before rushing to buy a pair of nose pads to add to your glasses, make sure you know the type of frame you’re dealing with. There are two common types of glasses frames, and they include:

  • Plastic frames
  • Wired frames

Plastic frames lack the required metal attachment to hold the nose pads in place that you would find in wired frames. Even with the lack of such metal attachments, it’s still very easy to add nose pads, as long as you get the right fit.  

Choose the Right Nose Pads

After identifying the frame, the next step is choosing the right nose pads for the frame. Plastic frames require adhesive nose pads, whereas wired frames can handle nose pads meant to fit in the metal attachments. The adhesive nose pads have a sticky side which you press on the frame to hold them in place. 

Nose pads are made of two distinctive materials:

  • Foam nose pads – Resistant to oil, but wear quickly and need replacement more often.
  • Silicone nose pads – Softer and hold the glasses in place, but could irritate your skin when they trap oil and facial makeup. 

While choosing the nose pads, make sure you choose those with a similar color to the frame. You don’t want any nose pads that stick out on your face. 

Remove the Old Nose Pads

Start by holding the glasses tightly in place with one arm. For plastic frames, use your index finger to pull the nose pads from their place since they’re only attached to the frame by a sticker. 

For wired frames, start by applying a little pressure on the nose pad using your thumb and pull it out of place with your index finger starting from the top. Do the same for the other nose pad. 

Make sure you wipe the metal attachments to clean any dust or debris stuck there. 

Add the New Nose Pads

Remove the nose pads from their enclosed plastic bag and place them on a clean surface. For the plastic frame, remove the cover on the sticker side of the nose pads and gently attach it to the frame. Apply enough pressure to make sure the nose pads stick. Push the pads gently to check if they can hold in place. 

For the metal frames, place the nose pad on the metal attachment and squeeze it into place using your index finger. At the same time, make sure you support the glasses by the frame and not the glasses themselves. 

Wipe the Glasses

Use a clean piece of cloth to wipe the frames and glasses lenses. Avoid rubbing the newly added nose pads. Now the glasses should feel great on your face without slipping down your face any longer. 

Final Thoughts

Nose pads are crucial for holding glasses in place throughout the day. They tend to wear out with time and with frequent use of the glasses. Before buying new nose pads, make sure they’re compatible with the glasses in terms of color and quality.