Should we consider face tape the new natural botox?

Numerous TikTok creators have shared videos in which they discuss how face-taping has made them appear younger. Estimates put the number of times videos containing the term “face tape” have been viewed on the social media app at around 565 million. One internet user has even coined the phrase “natural botox” to describe the method.

Facial taping entails applying small strips of tape to problem areas like the glabellar lines or nasolabial folds before bed. You can also tape your face by placing two pieces of tape on either side of your temples and pulling the strings tight. To use this technique, simply pull the strings tight and tie them behind your head. Fans claim to have fewer wrinkles when they wake up. 

Not only has TikTok popularized the face-taping trend, but other platforms have as well. The manufacturers of face tape frequently boast about the product’s many uses. For instance, the face tape products by Kinesiology Sports Tape, a self-described wellness sports brand, are advertised as a non-invasive way to reduce facial puffiness and wrinkles.

Where did the concept of taping one’s face come from?

Taping one’s face is not novel. It’s possible that face tape first hit the market in 1889, thanks to its use by stage actors looking to conceal the effects of aging. After that, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, stars would use face tape to minimize the look of wrinkles on their faces. The wearer’s wig or hair typically conceals this tape. 

Does it function, then? There hasn’t been any research to support the effectiveness of face-taping. Any effects it may have are also short-lived. It’s merely a short-term solution. Patients’ ability to move their facial muscles of expression can be temporarily restrained by applying face tape. The patient may experience a brief reduction in wrinkles and a temporary resting facial expression as a result of this.

Although one study found that lymphatic kinesio face taping improved blood and lymph microcirculation in patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery, that research only included patients who had undergone surgery; people who just tape their faces before bed or for a few hours would not see the same benefits.

Experts emphasize that face taping is not a form of “natural botox” and cannot make permanent changes to the skin because wrinkles can result from a variety of factors, including aging, hormones, disease, smoking status, and sun exposure.

The deterioration of collagen and elastin in the skin over time causes wrinkles, and face taping doesn’t do anything to reverse that process. Muscle movement causes dynamic wrinkles, which appear when the same facial expressions are made repeatedly over time, eventually permanently etching lines into the skin. Because face-taping does not halt this motion, it cannot forestall the onset of these creases.

Various tape types for face taping

The use of tape by content producers on TikTok seems to range from common Scotch tape to products like Invisitape that are intended to give the appearance of a facelift. A lot of people who enjoy face taping also use kinesiology tape (KT), which was developed in the 1970s to treat a variety of health issues, from musculoskeletal pain to sports injuries. 

Although KT is frequently used, many of its medical applications have not been scientifically proven to be effective therapeutic tools. Research on the therapeutic benefits of KT is inconclusive, despite its widespread use, according to a 2021 review published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. The reviewers analyzed the results of 38 studies and conducted a small survey to draw their conclusions. 

Specialists advise against using facial tape on patients

Face taping carries with it a few potential dangers: Adhesive tapes have been linked to a variety of skin reactions, including itching, redness, and even breakouts. Rare but possible side effects of prolonged adhesive use include excoriations, skin injury, blisters, scarring, and melasma.

Still, patients now have better options overall, not just to minimize danger.

Treatment with non-ablative lasers or photodynamic rejuvenation may be helpful for moderate wrinkles. Non-ablative lasers (like Fraxel) are effective because they increase collagen production, which in turn increases skin elasticity. With photodynamic rejuvenation, fine lines and wrinkles brought on by sun exposure are treated with a photosensitizing agent and light therapy.

Individuals who prefer non-invasive treatments may find chemical peels (which exfoliate the skin) or CO2 resurfacing (which eradicates damaged skin cells and stimulates collagen production) more appealing for deep wrinkles.

When the laxity is more severe, only surgery performed by a trained plastic surgeon should be considered.

Patient education on the latest social media trends

Patients often go into procedures with unrealistic expectations after hearing about them on social media or from influential people. Those who seek out quick fixes are frequently let down.

In order to prevent patients from wasting time and money on unnecessary procedures, doctors should be honest with them. Furthermore, before undergoing any cosmetic treatments or procedures, it is always important to remind patients to consult with a board-certified dermatologist. Even non-invasive procedures like non-ablative laser resurfacing can leave lifelong scars if carried out by inexperienced hands.

It’s obvious that overnight face-taping isn’t very useful, as it doesn’t offer any long-term benefits and can lead to a few potential risks. When it comes to methods for reducing wrinkles and lines, Botox is among the simplest, safest, and most effective.

Dentox provides a course on Botox injection techniques so that medical professionals can become qualified injectors. Dr. Howard Katz is widely regarded as the foremost expert and trainer in the field of cosmetic and therapeutic injectables. Learn from us, and you will become an injector of the highest caliber.

There are several places in the United States where you can attend a seminar or take a course, either live or on demand. Visit https://dentox.com/live-courses/ and https://dentox.com/all-courses/ to learn more about our in-person and online training options.