Face Tape Is TikTok's Latest Anti-Aging Trend

Getty Images

To be perfectly honest, face tape is intriguing. Not only does this viral beauty hack promise an instant, sculpted appearance, but it does so without having to go under the knife. However, as is sometimes the case with other sensationalized TikTok trends, could this face lift alternative be too good to be true? Does applying a thin, clear strip of tape to the side of the face really and convincingly lift and define the neck, jawline, cheekbones, and eyes? We tapped a slew of beauty experts to find out.

Keep reading to see what makeup artists and skin experts had to say about this viral facelift hack.

First off, Dani Kimiko Vincent, celebrity makeup artist and founder of KIMIKO, noted that the face tapes are nothing new.

"[They've] been around for many decades," she said. "They work by lifting and tightening the skin with an adhesive that sticks to each side of the face. It's a similar concept to having a high, tight ponytail that pulls your face back and up."

There are two common types of face tape. The first type is face tape connected by an elasticized band. It runs around the head and is disguised by styling one's hair over it. The other type is individual adhesives that are not connected by a band. According to Vincent, these are often used to create a fold in the eye for monolid or hooded eyes or used to subtly lift the eye area in general.

The eyes are perhaps the most common area for face tape to be placed, as it can give them a lifted and elongated look — which is problematic for many reasons as it often becomes appropriation. It can also be placed near the neck, jaw, or cheekbones to offer a visible sculpting effect in those areas, too.

To avoid any adverse side effects (more on those ahead), opt for "medical grade" tape. The Face Tape Kit comes with attachable string (available in Blonde, Brunette, or Dark) and 20 pieces of tape. Consider it your one-stop shop for getting that instant, albeit temporary, lift.

To get started, Vincent recommended applying your face tape to clean, bare skin.

"For the best grip, use a toner or witch hazel to remove any oils that could interfere with the adhesive," Vincent said. "Then, apply your complexion makeup as usual, going over the face tape."

Match the elastic band as closely as possible to your hair color. "Hairstyling is the best method for concealing the section where the tape meets your hairline and attaches to the elasticized band," Vincent told us.

Celebrity makeup artist Tarryn Feldman said alignment is key, which is why it's important to make sure you're applying the tape to the exact same area on each side of the face.

"You want to duplicate each area where you want to lift," Feldman said. "Make sure it's taped at the same place on each side. That's where the magic happens."

Once it's applied, Vincent, Feldman, and other experts suggested it can be worn for hours (up to 10 or 12, depending on the brand) before it starts losing its grip. That's as long as no irritation is occurring. However, celebrity aesthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar recommended wearing it for a shorter amount of time so as not to pull on the skin or risk irritation.

"If someone is going to use face tape, I recommend not leaving the tape on for more than three hours or removing it as soon as it begins to tingle, itch, or become uncomfortable," Aguilar said.

While the lifting benefits seem great, we, of course, need to consider the skin risks that come with taping your face, too.

"Taping your face with different adhesives can be damaging to the skin. For one, these facial tapes are designed to pull and lift skin — it takes a lot of forceful glue to stick, hold, and pull," said Aguilar. "With prolonged use, skin can become darker, drier, flaky, and commonly itchy where the face tape was placed. Consistently using face tapes can also cause allergies as many of these tapes have irritating adhesives."

Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skincare, has a slightly different perspective on face tape.

"There really isn't anything damaging to the skin unless you're allergic to the adhesive in the tape, and if you have a lot of hair, you need to be sure not to tangle your hair in it," Dr. Ciraldo explained.

VIDEO: How to Get Rid of Those Deep Forehead Wrinkles Once and for All

Face tape has gathered momentum among those looking for a quick fix to sagging facial skin. However, the results you get from using face lift tape are only temporary and don't offer a permanent solution to tightening skin. Still, if you still want to try it, go ahead — just don't overdo it to avoid any adverse effects.

To minimize the risks of skin sagging, dermatologists advised against using face tape for an extended period of time. Although more research is needed, it's possible that wearing face tape often and for more than three hours at a time may stretch the skin and inadvertently contribute to sagging.

Using facial tape will not effectively prevent or get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, but it may help to minimize their appearance, namely, by smoothing the skin while being worn.

Yes. Celebrities from Lady Gaga and Bella Hadid to Chrissy Teigen have been known to use face tape, but they're not the only ones. While beauty secrets are being talked about more now than ever, it's still a topic that retains an air of mystery.