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Aging is inevitable, and we definitely shouldn’t fear it. But that doesn’t mean we don’t all want to prioritize youthful, supple skin while we can, right? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the next stage of life without accepting the visual signs of aging.
So many products and techniques out there claim to smooth or prevent wrinkles. And we’re all about researching and reviewing as many as we can.
We’re all in on things like sun protection, face yoga, and ice rolling—because results don’t lie. But the latest natural face-lift trend is face taping, and it has a lot of people wondering whether it’s a fad or a phenomenon.
So, we’ve researched and tried face taping to bring the results to you. Here’s what we think about face taping for wrinkles:
What Is Face Taping for Wrinkles?
This overnight anti-aging technique uses tape to gently lift and hold skin in place, helping to smooth and prevent wrinkles.
It essentially does exactly what you’d assume—it keeps the face from folding and creasing while you sleep. As a result, face taping can gradually reduce the appearance of fine lines, expression lines, and wrinkles over time.
What Does Face Taping Do?
Reduces Facial Expression Overnight
By keeping your face taped while you sleep, you can prevent excessive facial expression throughout the night. Frowning, squinting, smiling, and puckering lips can all cause fine lines and wrinkles. Even sleeping with your cheek pressed against the pillow can cause folds (silk pillowcases help!).
Prevents the Skin from Creasing and Wrinkling
We all have our go-to sleeping positions, but sleeping on your back can do wonders—especially when paired with taping. When the top layer of skin is smoothed and secured with tape, you minimize creasing and wrinkling that can otherwise become permanent. As a result, you actively prevent expression lines and other visible signs of aging from forming.
Retrains the Facial Muscles Like Botox
Botox is the OG way of reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It works by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles, preventing excessive movement from expressions—like smiling, laughing, crying, squinting, and everything in between.
In simple terms, face taping does something really similar to prevent wrinkles. Instead of actually paralyzing muscles, the tape just physically holds the underlying muscle in place.
Over time, it can train the muscle to relax, gradually preventing and reducing signs of aging.
Temporarily Smooths Fine Lines and Wrinkles
As the tape gently lifts the skin, it also temporarily smooths out shallow lines. Think: crow’s feet, smile lines, and forehead wrinkles.
It also reduces pressure while you sleep, preventing lines from deepening as you rest on your pillow for hours. These effects are usually temporary, but perfect for boosting your next day’s beauty routine.
Does Face Taping Work for Wrinkles?
Yes! Face taping can help prevent new wrinkles for a more youthful and sculpted appearance long-term.
It’s not a total magic cure, meaning it can’t completely get rid of already-present fine lines and wrinkles. However, it can temporarily smooth them and minimize their appearance.
Face Taping for Wrinkles Before and After
For some incredible before and after photos, click here and scroll to the bottom. Better yet, check out this IG page for a how-to AND before and after photos. You may have heard of Olga, the face taping master who was recently on the blog sharing her youthful skin tips.
What Tape to Use for Face Taping for Wrinkles
REAL Japanese Face Tape
You can buy the créme de la créme of face tape through thenaturalfaces.com. It’s flexible with a strong hold and safe for all skin types – even sensitive ones. It’s breathable, hypoallergenic, latex-free and the best part…it comes with tutorials.
Medical-Grade Cotton or Cosmetic Beauty Tape
Medical-grade cotton or cosmetic beauty tape is breathable, making it a good choice for face taping. Without that extra airflow, tape could indirectly cause clogged pores.
It’s flexible, and the adhesive is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin. However, it’s less stretchy than other types and can lose its hold overnight.
Kinesiology Tape
Originally made for muscles and joints, this tape is perfect for the muscle-retraining aspect of face taping. It’s stretchable, supportive, and breathable all at the same time.
Its strong adhesive usually keeps it in place all night, so you won’t wake up with tape all over your pillow. The downsides? It can irritate sensitive skin and may be difficult to remove.
Best Face Taping Techniques for Wrinkles: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Do your evening skincare routine.
Do your evening skincare routine as usual. Start with a double cleanse, followed by toner, depuffing face oil, eye cream, and moisturizer.
On nights you use face tape, skip exfoliating, using retinols, or applying heavy creams. They can either irritate your skin or prevent the tape from sticking properly.
And, of course, make sure your skin is completely dry before applying any tape.
Step 2: Prepare the tape.
When using skin tape, you’ll need to cut it into thin vertical strips.
If you bought dedicated face tape, it may already be in strips. In that case, just follow the directions on the package to prepare the tape for use.
Step 3: Apply the tape strategically.
Relax your facial muscles and smooth the skin upward on each area of the face with your fingertips. Then, apply the tape. Here’s where you want the strips:
Horizontal Forehead Lines: Apply a few strips over any forehead lines.
11s Brow Lines: Between the brows, make an X shape over the normally furrowed area.
Crow’s Feet: Apply tape diagonally outward from the outer corner of each eye.
Smile Lines: Use more diagonal strips from the corners of your mouth. Point them upward toward your cheekbones.
Marionette Lines & Jawline: Place diagonal tape (always pointed upward) along the jawline and pull it upward toward the temples before sticking.
Step 4: Sleep on your back.
Sleep with the tape on for maximum benefits. If possible, sleep on your back to prevent friction and unnecessary creasing.
Plus, there are more beauty benefits of sleeping on your back. It prevents swelling, improves your posture, relieves sinus build-up, and reduces tension headaches. As you can tell, it’s the best position to sleep in all around.
Step 5: Remove the tape.
Get the edges of the tape moist with warm water or face oil, peeling them off carefully.
Afterward, continue with your morning skincare routine. If your skin feels slightly irritated from removing the tape, feel free to use your Mint Roller. Along with easing any discomfort, it will help prep your skin for makeup.
Smooth fine lines and reduce the appearance of wrinkles with face tape.
So, is face taping just a trend, or does it actually work? Face taping is a routine we can definitely get behind. The results are obvious, and it’s inexpensive and non-invasive—the best kind of skincare hack, if you ask us.
Do you face tape? Let us know what benefits you’ve seen in the comments below.
And while we’re talking about tape that’s safe for your skin, be sure to check out The Fall Edit. Bringing you new Mouth Tape colors is something we’ve been so excited about. Be sure to pre-order now.
x, The Skinny Confidential team
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++ Learn more about The Fall Edit.
