People Are Using Forehead And Jaw Tape To Reduce Wrinkles. Is It Legit?

Many people will try nearly anything to reduce the signs of aging, from fillers and Botox to hair dye and age spot-reducing creams.

Now, folks are turning to another remedy to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin — jaw tape and forehead tape. These adhesive patches are popular online among influencers and non-influencers alike.

Dr. Stephanie Florez-Pollack, a dermatologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital in Texas, said anti-wrinkle tape is appealing partly because it’s non-invasive, meaning you don’t need to go to a doctor for a procedure.

“In terms of what I have seen on social media and from some of the more prominent companies, the face taping ritual involves putting a very tight piece of tape on your forehead typically, and leaving it on for at least three hours,” said Florez-Pollack, adding that some brands recommend overnight use.

The companies claim that over an indeterminate amount of time, you’ll notice fewer lines and wrinkles. But Florez-Pollack is skeptical.

“I take issue with some of those statements because they are not evidence-based,” she said.

Taping products claim to retrain your muscles to move less ― but that is not accurate.

Many of the brands also claim face tape use will retrain your facial muscles not to move as much.

“As you get older, wrinkles typically appear where muscles move repeatedly such as around your eyes, forehead and mouth,” said Dr. Craig Lehrman, director of aesthetic surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

But you can’t just retrain your muscles, Florez-Pollack said. “When we put something over the skin by no means we are affecting the muscle that is triggering the contraction. So when we remove-the tape, even if the appearance of the skin is