Here’s a skincare trend we can actually stand behind . . . have you heard about face taping for wrinkles? Recently seen all over social media, this method of preventative skin care has been around for quite some time! (And this brand has even been around since 1889!) Celebrities swear by face taping to prevent wrinkles and it’s become a popular trend among beauty influencers too. The real question we want to know: does it work? 

So, how does face taping work? Using kinesiology tape or a branded face tape, this method can help retrain the facial muscles, preventing movement from happening while you sleep, similar to what botox does. The tape stretches over the face creating a taut tension on the skin. Typically worn while you sleep, the tape constricts the muscles from moving, preventing any movement on the face that can create wrinkles. Imagine doing laundry and removing your clothing from the dryer right away: you’re less likely to have wrinkles in your clothes. But leave them in after the dryer cools down, and you’re more likely to see wrinkling that may need ironing. Think of face taping like a warm dryer, allowing the skin on your face to stay taut and wrinkle-free. 

We have a few Botnia clients who practice face taping nightly and seeing them in the treatment room, we noticed improved skin texture, reduced wrinkles, and a more lifted and toned appearance. Over time this can result in a more youthful appearance and reduced wrinkles. We love this trend because it's a completely non-invasive therapy, so no needles or chemicals are involved. It's a natural way to support your body systems and improve the appearance of your skin, and you can do it at home.

A skincare routine for face taping

After cleansing, prep your skin with a facial massage or gua sha using a nourishing oil, like Wisdom Oil. Then, remove any excess oil and apply Hydrating Serum and toner or hydrosol. Let it dry completely before applying the tape. Avoid moisturizer in the areas you’re taping as it may cause the tape to slip off while you sleep.

For tape that needs water to remove, spray a hydrosol or toner to saturate the tape. Use a damp warm towel to wet the tape before peeling off your skin for a clean removal.

Tips and tricks

Look at the type of adhesive used - Make sure to check that the type of tape you’re using is indicated for use on the face as it can cause redness, irritation, or breakouts. Some kinesiology tape has glue that’s really strong to last through a workout and may be too strong for the sensitive skin on your face. We recommend finding a tape that’s made specifically for facial taping.

Carefully place the tape and prevent skin folds before applying the tape completely. 

Reminder: this practice is preventative, not wrinkle-erasing. Face taping is great for preventing further wrinkles in the skin and retraining your muscles and preventing movement in specific areas. While it may seem to make fine lines disappear at first, if you have deeper wrinkles, it won’t make them disappear completely.

If you’re taping the face to hold your skin back during the day or for a special event, beware of how long you’re taping for. Because you’re stretching the skin, it’s possible that you can be creating more damage to the skin, further creating fine lines or stretched skin.

We love this method of preventative skincare that’s accessible and actually works! Face taping is a natural alternative to more invasive treatments like botox or fillers, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home!

Xo, Botnia