Experts weigh in on ‘face-taping’ trend labeled ‘natural Botox’

Instead of Botox, some people are turning to “face taping” to prevent wrinkles — but does it really work?

If you scroll on TikTok, hashtag #facetaping has over 35.4 million views, with many people posting videos of themselves putting tape all over their faces before bed in order to stay young.

In one video, TikTok creator @officiallyval showed how she does it, putting skin-colored bandage tape over her forehead, nose and frown lines.

She said that she started doing it because she has “asymmetrical” eyebrows, and wanted to give one brow a little bit of a lift.

In another clip, a TikToker named Danna Omari, wrote that the taping method was like “natural botox.”

But is there any truth to this?

According to Mississippi-based dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritksy, also known on TikTok as the @dermguru, taping your face to prevent wrinkles can actually work — but only temporarily.

“Facial taping only works when the tape is in place,” Dr. Zubritsky told The Post. “Facial tape helps to hide wrinkles and pull and tighten the skin. It also helps to prevent movement of muscles that lead to wrinkles. However, it is not a long term solution and has no permanent benefits.”

“For example, if it’s worn during the nighttime when we are sleeping, it won’t help to reduce facial movements that lead to wrinkles.”

The Doctor also added that it is not a substitute for Botox.

“Botox last anywhere between 3-6 months and paralyzes to the facial muscle the entire time before it wears off, thus preventing muscle movement which leads to fines lines and wrinkles (also known as dynamic rhytides),” Dr. Zubritksy explained.

Dermatologist Mamina Turegano, who runs her own practice in Louisiana, also seconded that facial taping can only temporarily reduce facial wrinkles.

“It’s not very realistic because you would have to use it for prolonged periods during those times you are using facial muscles (basically during your waking hours),” she told The Post. 

However, Dr. Turegano noted that taping could potentially be a “cheaper alternative” for those who can’t afford Botox and don’t mind it not having a permanent effect.

“However, I think that good skincare, including sunscreen and collagen building ingredients (like retinoids and antioxidants) will be better for the skin than taping it.”

There can also be a dangerous side to face taping as well. Dr. Zubritksy warned that when you peel off the tape, there is a risk of developing something called contact dermatitis.

“Facial taping in and of itself is likely not harmful, but there is a risk of irritation and damage to the skin barrier from constantly applying and removing tape,” she explained.

“There is also a risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis to the tape, which is a tape of red, itchy rash due to allergies to the adhesive used.”

However, although the technique might be just making a splash on TikTok, facial taping has actually been around for decades.

In 1889, a woman named Margaret Kroesen created an anti-wrinkle patch for her daughter, Alice, who was a piano player. She had noticed that her daughter had developed some wrinkles and frown lines, and the patch was meant to stop them from further developing.

Those patches turned into a brand called Frownies, whose patches “separate and shape the muscles of the face to create a smooth wrinkle free look,” according to their website.

Over the years, there have been a few celebrities who have praised the trend — including the Kardashian matriarch, Kris Jenner, according to a 2011 NBC News article.

At the time, she said that her children, Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney, use it, too.

The Post reached out to the TikTokers for further comment.