A few friends and I agreed we would treat ourselves to a proper girls’ pamper weekend full of relaxation, long chats, walks, face massages, yoga and really good food packed with veggies and all the things that (with a few honourable exceptions) husbands and kids tend to turn their noses up at. But we also tried something new: face taping, sometimes called face kinesio taping.
One of my close friends who works professionally with holistic facial rejuvenation (remember the article about buccal massage? Yes, it’s her!) explained exactly how to tape properly, so we would get the best possible results.
What is face taping?
When we talk about face taping in skincare, we mean a technique where special adhesive tapes are applied to the face to temporarily smooth the skin, soften the look of wrinkles, and support firmer-looking contours.
The tape goes on specific areas where it helps ‘hold’ the skin in a gentler position and can reduce the appearance of things like fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness and sagging or slack-looking skin.
Most often, people tape areas where expression lines show up the most, the forehead, around the eyes, or around the mouth. Face taping is usually done overnight, so the skin and your facial expressions get a break for a few hours, and in the morning, your face can look a bit smoother and more rested.
It does sound a little like a trick, but plenty of people say the difference is visible. Of course, this is not a permanent change like surgery, and it is not the same category as injectables either. But it is popular as a quick, temporary boost for how your skin looks.
What are the benefits?
The biggest plus is that it is non-invasive. Unlike surgery or Botox, it is not a permanent intervention. So it can be a nice option if you want to try a smoother look without anything intense, or you are getting ready for a special occasion and want something extra without a big procedure.
It is also fairly affordable. Some users believe that regular taping might help slow down wrinkle formation, but to be fair, these claims are not scientifically proven yet.
How much time does face taping take, and how do you use it?
Face taping is not time-consuming. It is usually just a few minutes to apply the tape to the right spots. Honestly, the most time-consuming part is often cutting the strips.
Our friend was basically our ‘taping supervisor’. She explained everything, adjusted the tape lengths, and showed us exactly where to place them, and that was it.
Now, I know you probably do not have a patient professional standing next to you at home. So at the beginning, it really helps to watch a guide or video so you know where and how to place the tape. It takes a little practice, but after a few tries, you will likely feel much more confident.
Is it safe? What are the risks?
Personally, I had no irritation. But that does not mean it cannot happen. Every skin is different, so I would recommend using quality tape made for the face (stretchy, skin-friendly) and choosing tape with gentler adhesive, designed specifically not to irritate.
A proper face taping tape matters a lot not just because of the material, but especially because of the adhesive. And before your first full application, it can really help to do a quick patch test on a small area. We tested it on the side of the neck. That way, you will see how your skin reacts.
How long do the results last?
Face taping is a temporary fix. You will usually notice the effect right after removing the tape, but it tends to last a few hours, maybe up to a day.
That is why it’s ideal before an event when you want to look fresher and smoother. For me, the ‘lifted and smoothed’ look lasted a bit longer, but that is likely because taping was not the only thing we did.
We taped after lymph drainage, after a really thorough facial muscle massage, and after a full evening skincare routine.
Some women believe that regular face taping may help prevent fine lines because it reduces ‘pulling’ in the skin during sleep. In theory, that makes sense. But again, this effect has not been proven scientifically. Honestly, I do not personally expect long-term changes from it, but as a short-term boost, face taping is definitely an interesting option.
What else is taping used for?
Taping is not only a beauty thing. In medicine, it is often used for scar care, where it can support better healing and help reduce how visible scars look after surgery or injury. The tape helps keep the skin more stable and prevents excessive pulling on healing tissue.
Taping is also popular in physiotherapy and sports to support muscles, improve circulation, and ease pain with certain injuries.
So is it worth trying face taping?
If you are considering face taping, I would say it is worth a try, especially if you are looking for a short-term firming and smoothing effect before a special occasion. The results are not permanent, but they are quick and non-invasive, which is a big win.
