Mastering Myotape: A Step-by-Step Guide

Breathing through the nose is how the body prefers to work during rest. It warms, filters, and humidifies air while supporting nitric oxide production and more stable oxygen levels. If you mouth breathe at night, you might wake with a dry throat, a fuzzy head, and a partner who had a noisy night. Myotape was designed to encourage lips to come together without sealing them shut, making nasal breathing easier to maintain during sleep and quiet moments during the day.

This guide shows how to use it properly, with practical steps, safety notes, and advice for common scenarios like facial hair or sensitive skin. It is simple, but there are details that make a clear difference.

What Myotape is and how it works

Myotape is a stretchy, hypoallergenic adhesive that sits around the mouth. It is not a solid patch over the lips. The centre remains open, which means you can part your lips if you need to and you can speak in short sentences. The elastic recoil and the shape of the tape cue the lips to rest together.

Think of it as a gentle reminder for the muscles that close the lips. When you practise with it, you train a default position that supports quieter sleep and less mouth dryness. Many people also notice less drooling on the pillow and fewer night-time wakings for sips of water.

It comes in adult and child sizes. The material is usually soft cotton with a medical adhesive. There are different colours, but performance matters more than the look.

Safety first: when to avoid and when to get advice

Mouth taping is not right for everyone. Short list to keep you safe:

• Do not use if you have untreated obstructive sleep apnoea, heavy snoring with choking, or witnessed pauses in breathing at night, unless a clinician has approved it.
• Avoid during colds, sinus infections, or significant nasal blockage.
• Do not use with vomiting or nausea risk, recent dental surgery, active bleeding, or open sores around the lips.
• Avoid if you have severe respiratory disease, poorly controlled asthma, or you wake gasping for air.
• Be cautious with claustrophobia or panic symptoms during mask use or similar.
• Skip use if you react to medical adhesives or have fragile skin.

If you use CPAP and struggle with mouth leaks, some clinicians allow tape to support nasal-only airflow. That needs a conversation with your sleep team first.

Get the right product and size

• Choose the correct size. Adult and youth versions exist, and the fit matters for comfort.
• Check the expiry date. Old adhesive loses grip and can irritate.
• If your skin is very sensitive, patch test a small piece on the inner forearm for 12 to 24 hours first.
• Facial hair changes adhesion. A moustache or beard may require careful placement on the skin just beyond the hairline or modest trimming.

The brand design leaves a central window. That feature is what sets it apart from generic tapes that cover the mouth. Stick to products that maintain a clear airway path.

Preparation checklist

Small habits before application help a lot:

• Wash your face and dry it thoroughly. Any oil or moisturiser will weaken adhesion.
• Skip heavy lip balm for at least an hour before use. If lips are cracked, wait until the skin improves.
• Keep tissues and a water bottle nearby when practising awake.
• Clear your nose. Rinse with saline, blow gently, use approved nasal sprays if prescribed.

Do a gentle nasal airflow test. Close one nostril with a fingertip and breathe quietly through the other for 10 seconds, then swap. If both sides feel completely blocked, fix that first.

Step-by-step application

1. Open the pack and hold the tape by the paper edges. Avoid touching the adhesive.

2. Sit or stand in front of a mirror. Relax your jaw and let the lips touch lightly.

3. Peel off the backing halfway to expose the lower part of the tape.

4. Place the lower arc of the tape around the chin area so that the opening frames your lips. The lips should sit inside the tape’s window.

5. Smooth the lower part onto clean, dry skin. Avoid stretching the tape during placement.

6. Peel away the rest of the backing. Bring the upper arc around the upper lip area. Again, the lips remain inside the opening, not covered.

7. Gently press the edges with clean fingers for five to ten seconds to secure the adhesive.

8. Check the central opening. You should be able to sip water through a straw and speak a few words. If you cannot, reposition.

A small tip: fold a tiny corner of the tape back on itself to create a quick-release tab. It makes removal easier in the night.

The first week: a simple plan that builds confidence

Rushing straight to a full night can feel odd. A short plan improves comfort and increases the odds of lasting success.

If at any point you feel short of breath, remove the tape calmly and reassess your nose. Do not push through obstruction or anxiety.

During use: comfort and safety cues

• Keep the nose clear with regular saline rinses, especially in allergy seasons.
• Sleep on your side if you snore more on your back.
• Sip water before bed, then avoid large drinks that wake you to urinate.
• Use a room humidifier in dry climates to reduce mouth and nose dryness.
• If you wake and want to cough or speak, peel off one corner gently and remove the tape. Replace only if you feel settled.

A calm breath pattern helps. Try soft, silent inhalations through the nose and relaxed exhalations. Aim for a steady rhythm rather than large breaths.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Tape falls off during the night:

• Skin had moisturiser or oil. Wash and dry thoroughly before application.
• Adhesive is old. Use fresh tape.
• Facial hair is preventing grip. Adjust placement or consider a slight trim near the corners of the mouth.

Mouth pops open despite the tape:

• Practise tongue posture during the day. Rest the tongue tip on the spot behind the front teeth on the palate.
• Use a saline rinse before bed to improve nasal airflow.
• Consider an internal nasal dilator or external strip to support nasal passage size.

Skin irritation or redness:

• Switch to the sensitive-skin version if available.
• Place a thin hydrocolloid strip under the corners where friction occurs.
• Rotate position slightly from night to night to give skin a break.
• Shorten wear time and increase gradually.

Anxiety with the taped feeling:

• Start only during the day while awake and engaged in relaxing tasks.
• Keep a hand on the quick-release tab for the first few sessions.
• Pair with calm music or a short breathing exercise before sleep.

Pairing with smart habits for nasal health

Better nasal breathing often needs a few supportive routines:

• Address allergies with your clinician’s plan. Consistent use of prescribed nasal sprays can open the nose.
• Rinse with saline in the evening to remove pollen and dust.
• Avoid heavy alcohol late at night since it slackens upper airway muscles and can aggravate snoring.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom if dander triggers congestion.
• Adjust pillow height to keep the neck neutral, not flexed forward.

A short warm shower before bed can loosen congestion for some people. Others prefer a steam bowl with menthol crystals. Choose what works for you, then be consistent.

Facial hair, makeup, and other practicalities

• Moustaches: aim the upper arc slightly higher on the philtrum, using clear skin between hair zones where possible.
• Beards: let the tape anchor on the cheek skin near the corners of the mouth rather than the chin hair.
• Makeup: remove foundation around the mouth area. Adhesive does not bond reliably to cosmetic products.
• Sweating: if you exercise with tape during light breath training, wipe sweat frequently or reserve the tape for calm activities.

If hair removal is not an option, you might get better results with a soft chin strap that supports the jaw without adhesives. Use it as a training aid during the day first to check comfort.

Cleaning, storage, and replacement

Myotape is single-use. Do not try to wash or reuse it. Once the adhesive collects skin oils or lint it loses reliability.

• Store unopened packs in a cool, dry place away from direct sun.
• Keep a small travel pouch for a few strips and a packet of tissues.
• Replace immediately if the tape looks frayed, overly stretched, or contaminated.

Removing the tape is simple. Peel slowly from a corner while supporting the skin with the other hand. If you feel tugging, wet the edge slightly with warm water to soften the adhesive.

Kids and teens: extra care

Nasal breathing supports oral posture and dental arch development in growing faces. Even so, mouth taping with children needs care.

• Only use child-size products that keep a central opening.
• Do not use in children under 4 years old.
• Always supervise during any daytime practice.
• Never use during illness, vomiting, or if the child is congested.
• Discuss with a paediatric clinician, dentist, or myofunctional therapist before night-time use.

Daytime practice often begins with short periods during screen time while the parent is present. If a child resists or becomes anxious, stop and seek professional guidance.

Can you combine Myotape with other devices

People use tape alongside different supports. Examples include:

• CPAP therapy to reduce mouth leak with a nasal mask. Only with clinician approval.
• Nasal dilators or strips to widen nasal passages when they collapse.
• Humidifiers to reduce dryness during winter heating.

Introduce one change at a time so you can tell what helps.

Frequently asked questions

Will it fully seal my mouth?

• No. The centre remains open. It draws the lips together without shutting the mouth completely.

What if I need to breathe through my mouth suddenly?

• Peel a corner and remove the tape. Many users can part their lips through the central opening to take a mouth breath in an emergency.

How long before I notice changes?

• Many feel a difference in morning mouth moisture from the first few nights. Quieter snoring or fewer wake-ups may take days to weeks, especially if nasal congestion is part of the picture.

Is it safe during pregnancy?

• If you breathe comfortably through your nose and feel calm with the tape, it is usually well tolerated. Discuss with your midwife or doctor if you have concerns or any breathing symptoms.

Can it fix sleep apnoea?

• No. It is not a treatment for apnoea. If you suspect apnoea, book a sleep assessment. Tape can support nasal breathing once any condition is properly managed.

What about dental work, braces, or aligners?

• Wait until the mouth tissues have healed after dental procedures. With braces or aligners, many people use tape comfortably, but check with your orthodontist.

Myths and realities

Myth: Mouth taping forces the airway to work harder.

• Reality: When the nose is clear, nasal breathing reduces airflow resistance and promotes humidification. The tape is a gentle cue, not a forceful barrier.

Myth: You cannot speak or drink with it on.

• Reality: The centre window allows brief speech and sips of water with a straw.

Myth: All tapes are the same.

• Reality: A product that frames the lips is different from one that covers them. The former is designed to prompt lip closure while maintaining a safety opening.

A quick skill for better results: tongue posture

Lips together works best when the tongue rests against the palate. A simple drill:

• Place the tip of your tongue on the ridge just behind your upper front teeth.
• Flatten the rest of the tongue gently against the roof of the mouth.
• Keep the jaw loose and breathe quietly through your nose.

Practise for a few minutes during the day without tape. It builds the habit that keeps the mouth closed at night.

What if your nose feels blocked

Before using tape at night, aim to improve nasal airflow. Ideas to try:

• Warm saline rinse with a squeeze bottle in the evening.
• Short breathing exercise: exhale gently, pinch the nose, nod your head a few times, then release and breathe quietly through the nose. Repeat three to five times, only if comfortable.
• Allergen control in the bedroom: wash bedding at 60 C weekly, use dust mite covers, keep windows closed when pollen counts spike.

If blockage persists, an ENT review may find causes like deviated septum, turbinate swelling, or polyps. Treatment for those issues makes nasal breathing far easier.

When progress stalls

If you gave it two weeks and still wake with the tape off or feel no improvement:

• Recheck the basics: skin prep, size, new tape, nasal hygiene.
• Try a softer variant or a different shape if available.
• Take three nights off if the skin is irritated, then restart with daytime practice only.
• Ask your partner to listen for snoring patterns. Back-sleeping snores can improve with a side-sleeping pillow or positional aid.
• Consider a chat with a dentist trained in myofunctional therapy or a sleep clinician to rule out hidden blockers.

Quick-reference checklist

• Clear nose before bed.
• Clean, dry skin around the mouth.
• Correct size tape with a small quick-release tab.
• Calm, light nasal breaths before lights out.
• Side sleeping if you snore more on your back.
• Remove immediately if uncomfortable or unwell.

Small steps, steady habits, and careful attention to comfort are what make Myotape practical. Use it as a cue, not a constraint, and build a routine that fits your body and your nights.