Will Face Taping Actually Reduce Your Wrinkles?
Meet face taping — TikTok’s hottest new beauty trend. While it may be something new and intriguing on the social media platform, the use of adhesives to temporarily smooth and lift the skin is one of Hollywood’s oldest beauty secrets. The likes of Joan Crawford, Raquel Welch, and Marlene Dietrich all used tape to keep their skin taut, both on and off the camera.
Actress Raquel Welch swears by the nightly application of Frownies — flesh-toned face stickers that work to smooth out creases while preventing them from forming.
We have to wonder, in an age of scientific cosmetic advances (Botox, fillers, and lasers), can putting tape on your face really work to prevent fine lines and wrinkles? Here’s everything you should know about facial taping.
WHAT IS FACE TAPING?
Face taping is the hottest new skincare trend that’s left TikTokers obsessed. Just as its name suggests, face taping is a technique that involves strategically placing tape on areas of the face in order to fight and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Worn overnight, the tape is believed to constrict muscles and limit their motion, preventing in-sleep facial expressions that can lead to frown lines, crow’s feet, and mouth lines.
Face tape can also be used for an instant smoothing and lifting effect. You’re basically giving yourself an instant facelift without going under the knife.
“The truth is we do frown and make facial expressions during deep sleep,” says Dr. Kaywaan Khan, medical doctor and aesthetician at Hannah London. “Pillows can also potentially scrunch our skin up, causing fine lines to form over time.”
By taping your face, it’s supposed to prevent facial muscles from making crease-causing movements, keeping you smooth and wrinkle-free.
DOES FACE TAPING WORK?
When it comes to TikTok-born beauty hacks, it’s always worth doing a little investigative work before trying it yourself. As great as some TikTok beauty trends are, some have been known to be extremely harmful to the skin.
Like with all trends, some dermatologists highly praise facial taping while others strongly oppose. Dermatologist Ellen Marmur of Marmur Medical in New York City is one of the formers, suggesting that facial patches can make a difference over time.
“People do tend to have deeper, pressure-induced lines on the side they sleep on,” she explains. “Wearing these patches overnight smoothes out the skin and holds it in place, even if your face is pressed into a pillow.”
Dr. Ioannis Liakas, medical director at Vie Aesthetics, has a different outlook on the trend, suggesting it can actually have the opposite effect with regards to treating wrinkles.
“By taping the face to hold muscles still while sleeping, we are not preventing our muscles from working,” says Dr. Liakas. “Instead, we are adding resistance for those muscles to work against.”
He says this only trains the muscles to become stronger, accelerating the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
Most dermatologists agree, however, that face taping offers an instant lifting effect. As for whether it’s an effective treatment for wrinkles, most recommend following an anti-aging skincare routine and considering in-office treatments such as laser therapy and chemical peels.
IS FACE TAPING SAFE?
According to the experts, face tape can cause irritation due to the glue on the tape — especially if you have sensitive skin. When left on too long, facial tape can also cause clogged pores and breakouts from the sebum buildup.
Another downside to face tape is that it’s hard to camouflage. Unless you’re wearing it at night as a preventative treatment, you’ll need to pair it with heavy makeup or a wig to conceal the tape.
HOW TO REDUCE FINE LINES AND WRINKLES WITH SKINCARE
One of the best ways to treat and prevent skin creases is by following a stringent anti-aging routine full of collagen-boosting, elasticity-restoring ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. Here are some of the best ways (and products) to minimize lines — and stop them from forming.
Fill Your Routine with Antioxidants
Antioxidants fight free radical damage — a contributor of premature aging caused by environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution. Free radicals damage cells, which leaves skin susceptible to skin creases, sagging, and discoloration. Antioxidants combat free radical damage to keep skin youthful and radiant.
Get your antioxidant boost from: Blueberry Kush CBD Face Oil. It hydrates, brightens, and plumps skin while protecting it from photoaging thanks to antioxidant-rich blueberries and vegan collagen.
Reach for Retinol
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that’s proven to boost collagen production and enhance skin’s elastin. It’s commonly used to treat and prevent forehead wrinkles, creases around the eyes, and discoloration. Every anti-aging routine should include a retinol product.
You’ll find retinol in: Mary Jane Glow Mask. It’s made with retinol, glycolic acid, and caffeine to brighten, tighten, and visibly smooth skin. This exfoliating formula can also help with inflammation, dryness, and breakouts.
Moisturize
Dry skin makes fine lines and wrinkles appear more noticeable. Every skin type should be moisturizing at least once a day — twice, ideally. Look for a nourishing formula made with plumping humectants like hyaluronic acid to leave skin looking firm, hydrated, and smooth.
Get your hyaluronic acid boost from: Cream Skin Face Moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid and sea kelp are its key ingredients, working in tandem to hydrate, plump out creases, and protect skin from free radical damage.
Wear Sunscreen
Sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles. By wearing SPF daily, you keep skin protected and prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming. Choose a factor of 30 or higher, and aim to apply every two hours for maximum protection.
Face taping might be a useful temporary fix for fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging thanks to instant face lifting effects. However, it may not be the most effective way to treat and ward off lines. Instead of relying on hacks and flash-lasting trends, follow a daily anti-aging regimen that comprises of a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen — and make sure you use them daily!
It might not bring you the instant fix you’re after, but it will bring you a future of youthful radiance.
