Beauty Fad Comes Wrapped in a Tape

The popularity of the face-taping trend, especially on social media, is hinged on one word – wrinkles. Face taping can create a temporary smoothing effect because it physically restricts facial movement while the tape is in place and for a short period after removal. Experts weigh in.

Face taping can create a visible difference immediately after the tape is removed, which explains much of its appeal. By limiting movement and holding the skin in place for a few hours, expression lines may appear temporarily softened. “But this should not be confused with changing how the skin ages. Ageing is influenced by many factors, including collagen loss, sun exposure, genetics, lifestyle, and the condition of the skin barrier. The limited research available suggests that adhesive pads may briefly improve the appearance of lines, but it does not establish long-term wrinkle reduction or prevention,” says Meeta Ghuwalewala, Founder, TVAH. It is important to distinguish a temporary cosmetic effect from something that meaningfully supports long-term skin health.

Choose Well

Allergies can happen if you use the wrong quality of tape. The tape used for the face must be very different from the strong physiotherapy tapes used on the body. “Those are too strong and can pull your skin when removed. For the face, you need a gentle, stretchable tape made specifically for facial skin. The material should be soft and easy to peel off in the morning. Not everyone should do it without guidance. You need to know where to place the tape and for which expression. Taping everywhere on the face is not the right approach,” advises Rajni Ohri, Founder, Ohria Ayurveda.

Temporary Fix

Face taping is not comparable to any evidence-based treatments like Botox, retinoids, or sunscreen because Botox clearly works on the muscles. It relaxes the muscles, reducing the dynamic lines – that means the lines that come with movement. “Sunscreen prevents photoaging and hence helps in maintaining better elastin and collagen. Retinoids have been shown to promote a good amount of collagen and help in maintaining the tightness of the skin. They also improve skin cell turnover, giving the skin a more youthful appearance. As regards face yoga and facial muscle exercises, they are still placed above face taping because they at least help in toning the muscles, and there is some evidence which has shown that they have long-term benefits, giving better anti-ageing results,” avers Dr Renuka Nalawade Rajale, Cosmetic Dermatologist, Founder of MyDermat, Pune & Anti-Ageing Alchemist.

Akanksha Sharma, Co-founder & CEO, CITTA, adds, “If you are looking for a temporary smoothing effect before a special occasion, face taping may give you that visual result. But if your goal is healthier-looking skin over time, a consistent routine with daily sunscreen, retinoids, peptides, and moisturisers will deliver better results without compromising your skin."

Muscle Matters

There is currently no anatomical or physiological evidence that external tape can permanently retrain facial muscles. “Muscles supplied by the facial nerve control facial expressions.

While tape may temporarily remind someone to reduce facial movement during sleep or while wearing it, this is fundamentally different from permanently changing muscle activity. If the goal is to reduce repetitive muscle contraction responsible for expression lines, botulinum toxin remains the only treatment supported by high-quality clinical evidence,” says Dr Yash Mehta, Facial Plastic Surgeon, and Founder of Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgery Clinic (ACSC).

Busting Myths

There is a certain ‘wow’ factor associated with trends like facial taping, which makes them go viral. “It is cheap, simple, and seems quick. Presenting it in a dramatic way is going to attract people’s attention. I would not recommend this because it has no proven benefits. It is much better to invest in a good sunscreen, topical retinoids, and a healthy lifestyle than to follow home hacks that do not work,” advises Dr Manisha Mareddy, Dermatologist & Founder, Shlok Dermatology and Wellness Clinic, Kokapet, Hyderabad.

Chaitanya from Maya Medi Spa avers, “People who want a temporary skin lift or tightening for a photograph, perhaps, will benefit from face taping. But taping should be strictly avoided in those with thin skin, sensitive skin, or acne-prone skin.” And before asking whether face tape can prevent ageing, perhaps we should also ask: What might repeated application and removal of adhesive be doing to the skin barrier over time?