Face Taping for Wrinkles: Does it Work?

Fine lines and wrinkles are the most common signs of aging that people wish to erase or avoid. This is probably the reason there are countless products that claim to reduce their appearance or even eliminate them. One beauty hack that has gained a lot of buzz is face taping, which is said to smooth out lines and wrinkles. 

Face taping is a TikTok trend that involves putting tape on the face or areas with wrinkles to fight signs of aging. People who have tried this hack said they notice a difference or less visible lines after trying face taping for a few days. So, the question is: Is face taping really that effective in preventing or getting rid of wrinkles? 

What exactly is face taping? 

As previously mentioned, face taping involves applying tape on areas of the face where you’re worried about the development of lines and wrinkles. These include the forehead, around the eyes, and sides of the nose (nasolabial folds). Those who have tried this apply Scotch tape, medical tape, or kinesiology tape (used for injury) and then go to sleep.

The idea behind this beauty hack is that the tape can help keep the muscles in place while you’re dozing off. This limits the movement of the muscles, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The thing, however, is the face still makes a lot of expressions during rapid eye movement (REM) or the sleep stage where most dreams occur.

There are also brands that make products specifically for face taping or temporary face lifting. These are medical-grade adhesives that can lift the eyes or eyebrows to create a dramatic look. Many people in the entertainment industry also use face tapes to get a more contoured face or a snatched look in photoshoots or film scenes.

Does face taping work?

Yes, it does but only for a short period of time. If you’re looking for an immediate lift for the day, it can help. Face tapes, however, cannot eliminate or soften the look of lines and wrinkles on your face the way cosmetic neurotoxins can. You cannot rely on these products to effectively minimize or prevent lines.

Keep in mind that the smoothing effect of the face tapes is temporary. If you’re looking for a more lasting solution to wrinkles, mild skin laxity, and other signs of aging, it is best to consider non-surgical aesthetic solutions. Injectables and light-based procedures offer a more noticeable effect and give you a more youthful-looking appearance. 

Is this safe?

There are no major complications with face taping, but it is still possible to have reactions such as redness, rashes, irritation, and acne breakouts. Using different types can also cause skin damage, as these products use a lot of strong glue or adhesives to stay in place and pull your skin back. 

Excessive or prolonged face taping can cause the skin to become drier, darker, or itchy. The tape, furthermore, may cause discomfort and negatively affect the outermost layer of the skin when you take it off. It is also likely for the face tape to stretch the skin and contribute to sagging if you wear it regularly and for several hours at a time.

What can effectively soften or reduce wrinkles?

Botulinum toxin type A is a safe and effective way to treat lines and wrinkles. It works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles responsible for wrinkles, which then soften them and prevent the face from creating lines. The initial effects appear after three to four days, but full results show up after 14 days. 

You can turn to this injectable to smooth lines and wrinkles in the forehead, between the brows, under the eyes, and above the upper lips. It is effective for dynamic wrinkles or those that are formed due to repetitive facial expressions such as frowning, smiling, and squinting. The results last between three and four months.

When administered by the right professional, botulinum toxin can give you natural-looking results. It is ideal to start small or with minimal doses, especially if it is your first time getting the treatment. Less is more when it comes to injectables, particularly if you want to be able to move your face and avoid looking frozen. 

For further reading: Getting Botulinum Toxin for the First Time? Here’s What You Should Know

Apart from botulinum toxin, there are also other aesthetic treatments that can effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles:

• Dermal fillers – use a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid (HA) or calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) for filling in lines, creases, and folds, as well as contouring the face. 
• Micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) – uses ultrasound energy to jumpstart collagen production and lift the skin on the face, neck, and chest, as well as reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. 
• VI Peel Advanced – is a chemical peel designed for 40+ or aging skin with fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. It can penetrate deep and reduce signs of aging, as well as enhance collagen stimulation. 
• Microneedling via Dermapen 4 – creates micro-trauma in the skin that induces collagen and elastin production. It can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, scarring, and rough skin texture. 
• Laser skin resurfacing – uses laser energy to simultaneously remove the damaged superficial skin layer and heat the deeper layers to stimulate collagen growth. It can renew skin and improve fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, dullness, and acne scarring. 

If you’re worried about fine lines and wrinkles, taking better care of your skin such as wearing sunscreen and using quality anti-aging products may help prevent or improve their formation. Aesthetic treatments, of course, fare better, as they can increase collagen production and improve skin quality. 

Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor to learn more about injectables and other non-surgical options that can improve wrinkle appearance.