In short: No.
Face tapes are often advertised as a safe, painless, and non-invasive method of rejuvenation. The claim is that using colorful elastic bands can lift the face, improve blood circulation, smooth out wrinkles, and generally extend the skin’s youthfulness. But does it actually work? Let’s take a closer look.
Who Invented Them
In 1889, long before Botox was used for aesthetic purposes, Margaret Kroesen invented wrinkle patches. These small triangles of craft paper with adhesive backing were to be moistened, applied to the forehead or nasolabial folds, and left on for 3-4 hours (preferably overnight). After drying, the patch would harden and was supposed to act like a cast for facial muscles, keeping the skin taut, supposedly helping to smooth wrinkles and teach muscles to relax. These patches are still sold today, but their effectiveness has never been proven.
A similar story exists with kinesiology taping. This method was invented in the 1970s by Japanese chiropractor Kenzo Kase. It was believed that a thin, elastic cotton tape applied to the skin could relieve pain, reduce swelling, enhance athletic performance, and aid in faster recovery – all due to improved lymphatic flow. Essentially, the tape is thought to lift the skin slightly from the tissues beneath, facilitating better blood and lymph circulation. Professional athletes, trainers, and physiotherapists often use kinesio tapes, although the scientific community is skeptical. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that kinesio tapes do not alleviate pain or prevent injuries. However, it might help some people due to the placebo effect. In most other cases, kinesio tape manufacturers end up paying compensation for unrealistic advertising promises and even changing their marketing slogans.
Do Face Tapes Help with Wrinkles?
There are no high-quality studies specifically examining the impact of kinesio tapes on skin condition. Any lifting effect, if present, is temporary. It’s similar to when we pull our hair back into a tight ponytail: the skin tightens, but once the hair tie is removed, everything returns to normal. Face tapes are also not mentioned in medical skincare recommendations. Most importantly, elastic tapes do not influence the production of collagen and elastin, nor do they work like signal peptides. To prevent premature skin aging, you should use sunscreens, reduce or avoid smoking and alcohol, and use products containing retinoids, vitamin C, and peptides.
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