It’s time to face the truth.
Does taping your face really work?
The beauty hack — incorporated into influencers’ nightly routines ahead of the so-called “morning shed” — has been hailed as a cheap alternative to Botox to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
But experts say that a lifted, smooth complexion after using face tape or wrinkle patches is merely a temporary mirage.
Dermatologist Dr. Susan Massick, who practices in Ohio, told HuffPost that the benefits of face taping “are limited,” since it cannot counteract the pressure of the face on the pillow while sleeping — not to mention, tape is sticky, and adhesives are a common irritants and allergens for the skin.
“It is likely that any temporary benefits from face-tape application will quickly wear off upon removal of face tape as gravity and baseline skin support take over,” dermatologist Dr. Angela Casey, who also practices in Ohio, told the outlet.
Face tape — which supposedly stops wrinkles from forming and holds the skin in place — has been touted as a holy grail for a youthful complexion by those who don’t want to undergo more invasive treatments, costly products or injectables such as Botox.
On Tiktok, videos showing “before” and “after” face tape use proliferate beauty fans’ “For You” pages, where users boast their alleged wrinkle-free results after removing the adhesive strips in the morning.
One woman claimed her nightly face tape routine would keep her “young forever,” while another argued that taping her nose before bed gives her a “mini nose job.”
Meanwhile, wrinkle patches — which are marketed to be applied across the forehead, near the eyes and around the mouth — can be purchased at Sephora or on Amazon.
Experts, however, have previously told The Post that the method is only most effective during waking hours, when the face is emoting more than it does during sleep.
While a devout face-taper might see results after years of use, it’s likely only because that have “reduced repetitive muscle movements that cause wrinkles,” NYC dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman told HuffPost.
“When it comes to long-term benefits, I’d say the evidence is still lacking,” she said.
“Wrinkle formation is influenced by so many factors — genetics, sun exposure, lifestyle habits and skin care routines — that face-taping alone isn’t going to dramatically delay aging.”