In the quest to minimize the effects of aging on our faces, we're willing to try just about anything. But if you feel like you've just about exhausted all the creams, devices and other at-home options on the market, you might be interested to hear about a non-invasive option that people are calling a "Botox alternative."
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Wrinkle patches have been popping up all over our social media pages. Different variations of the products have racked up millions of views on TikTok, with users posting impressive before and after results, showing how their smile lines and forehead wrinkles have smoothed after just a handful of uses.
While it sounds promising, we tapped two experts to get the details on whether or not the viral product is actually worth your time. Here's what you need to know.
What are wrinkle patches? | Do wrinkle patches really work? | Wrinkle patches to shop | How we chose | Meet the experts
Wrinkle patches are patches (typically made of adhesive paper or silicone) that cover an area of the skin to decrease mobility and prevent or improve the appearance of wrinkles, explains Dr. Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology.
"The theory is that they prevent movement of the skin and therefore the creation of wrinkles," says Dr. Mary Stevenson, associate professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. "Some also purport that they prevent moisture from leaving the skin, therefore plumping it as you retain moisture."
While people on social media have seen some promising results, the answer to the question of whether or not they will really have a positive effect on your skin isn't so straightforward. "They can, but it's important to understand that while they can have a positive effect, is it a long-term effect or a short-term effect? I think it's probably more of a short-term benefit," Shah says.
If you wear one of the patches overnight — which Shah says is the most typical way to wear it — it's going to prevent mobility of the skin throughout the night. So, when you wake up, you may not notice those "sleep wrinkles" that can sometimes form as you snooze.
"On top of that, the wrinkle patches are going to prevent water loss from the skin, so the skin will appear more hydrated and plump," she says.
The effects also depend on how often you wear them. "If you wear them for long periods of time regularly then, yes, theoretically they work," Stevenson says. It's another step that you can take, like sleeping on your back, that can help prevent lines from being formed.
Overall, you'll likely notice the effects start to wane throughout the day. "When you wake up and you take it off, that's going to be when it's at its most effective," Shah says. "But, as you go through the day, you make facial expressions, you move your face around, those lines are going to start to reform."
Here, we rounded up eight options that you can try.
Count: 1 reusable patch | Other key ingredients: 100% silicone
This reusable forehead mask is meant to be used with your favorite serums or after your skin care for up to 30 minutes. According to the brand, it’s made of 100% silicone and just needs to be washed with warm water after each use.
Count: 1 reusable patch | Other key ingredients: 100% silicone
While this 100% silicone mask is designed to be paired with your favorite serum to "seal" in the ingredients and boost hydration, the brand says that it can also gently lift and flatten skin to help with fine lines and wrinkles.
Count: 6 patches | Other key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
Containing retinol, peptides and hyaluronic acid, these wrinkle patches can be used anywhere you're looking to target facial lines, says the brand. The patches are made with 80 "micro-cones" that are meant to dissolve into your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines in just two hours.
Count: 6 patches | Other key ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, multi-peptides
You may know this brand for their hydrocolloid acne patches, but now they're getting into the wrinkle game with these microneedling patches. According to the brand, the patches contain retinol and have 450 hyaluronic micro-needles that dissolve into your skin to soften fine lines around your eyes, frown lines or any deep set wrinkles.
Count: 144 patches | Other key ingredients: Natural unbleached Kraft paper
A popular option from the brand, these patches are designed to target wrinkles around the corners of your eyes and mouth. To see results, the brand says that you should wear the patches for at least three hours at a time.
Count: 1 reusable patch | Other key ingredients: 100% silicone
This reusable patch is another option that is designed to smooth “forehead furrows, expression lines and frown lines.” While some shoppers have found that it works to temporarily improve the look of wrinkles, the brand says that it’s also great to use in between in-office treatments.
Count: 2 reusable patches | Other key ingredients: 100% silicone
Wrinkles Schminkles is one of the most popular options on TikTok. In fact, one video from the brand featuring the product racked up over 55 million views and 3.3 million likes. The reusable patches (which the brand says you can use up to 20 times) are designed to be applied to your forehead area to prevent wrinkles. While the company says that they can be worn for as little as one to two hours for a quick boost, you'll see the best results if you wear them overnight.
Jennifer Birkhofer, the vice president of commerce at NBC News, uses these patches (along with the brand's patches for eyes and lips). She says, "I started using these patches recently. Over Christmas, I went to dinner with some girlfriends, and one of them who looks incredibly youthful (and who’s forehead has never shown a wrinkle) said she uses silicone patches every night."
Birkhofer continues, "I was shocked and immediately bought some. I don’t sleep in these every night, but I try to a few times a week when I want my skin to look and feel smooth in the morning. They are surprisingly easy to sleep in and far cheaper than other wrinkle solutions I’ve heard of."
Count: 6 patches | Other key ingredients: 100% silicone (patches)
This kit comes with reusable patches that are designed to target various areas of your face, from your forehead to your under-eyes and neck. The viral patches can be used up to 30 times, the brand says. Along with helping improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, they are said to target stretch marks and sun damage as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
The nice thing is, the viral patches tend to be pretty safe for the skin. While Stevenson says that there can be a risk of irritation with ones that use adhesives, generally, silicone does not cause that reaction. (She adds that silicone is preferred, in her opinion, as it occludes the skin .)
Some of the patches also contain active ingredients, like acids or retinol, and Shah recommends using those with caution, as they could be irritating — especially to those with sensitive skin .
The bottom line is, for anyone hoping to improve the look of fine lines, it could be worth a shot. "It's a relatively low investment, low stakes sort of treatment," Shah says.
"So it's a good way to see what could be possible. And maybe it's [best] for someone who is just looking for some short-term improvement. But, if you need longer-term improvement, you're probably going to want to start investing in some in-office treatments."
The Shop TODAY team spoke with a board-certified dermatologist as well as a dermatologic surgeon about what wrinkle patches are (and how, exactly, they help reduce fine lines within aging skin). We then searched the internet for popular patches to include, keeping the experts' lessons in mind while choosing. While most patches here are made purely with silicone, some include extra ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid.
Beauty trends pop up constantly on social media, but even some of the most current trends have actually been around for years. That includes the latest trend to hit the FYP: Face taping. Yes, as in putting tape on your face either overnight (or for a limited amount of time under makeup) to reduce wrinkles. Some of Hollywood's most iconic actors and makeup artists have spoken of wearing face tape for events or during filming to give the skin a lifted, smoother appearance. It’s also a technique frequented by the drag community. But can face taping actually improve the appearance of wrinkles, or is it just another ill-advised social media trend? We asked the pros—board-certified dermatologists Anthony Rossi, MD, and Dr. Ivy DeRosa—to share everything they need to know about face taping—aka wrinkle taping.
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Meet the Expert
What Is Face Taping?
Face taping—also called wrinkle taping—involves taping your skin into a taut position to allegedly improve the appearance of wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles from forming. "The concept of face taping is basically exactly what the name implies," DeRosa explains. "A tape/adhesive product is placed on areas where we tend to notice lines such as forehead, under the eye, cheeks, and décolleté." People use anything from classic Scotch tape to more advanced, reusable patches like Frownies and Sio Beauty patches.
While it may seem trendy, it's actually steeped in history. “Face taping may not be mainstream but it's not new,” Rossi says. “From drag performers to movie stars, face taping has been used to help instantly lift the skin and disguise wrinkles in strategic places. By taping the face up in certain vectors, you can give an instant facelift effect.”
How Does It Work?
Most popularly, people sleep in the tape overnight in hopes of preventing new wrinkles and giving existing wrinkles a temporarily more lifted, smoother appearance. "The thought process is, during sleep we are rolling around, squishing things, using our muscles, so if we can hold things in place then we shouldn't get wrinkles, right?" DeRosa says. Some swear by the overnight effects, but others wear face tape for a more immediate look.
By wearing it overnight, the tape should ideally constrict muscles and limit their motion, preventing you from frowning or making other line-inducing expressions in your sleep. It’s also said to reduce and prevent lines caused by sleeping on your side and stomach. Face tape can also be used for an immediate lifting and smoothing effect—like Spanx for your face, says Hirsch.
@siobeauty / Instagram / Byrdie
Benefits of Face Taping
Here’s the thing: Experts agree that wrinkles and fine lines certainly look better when the tape is on. So using it overnight seems to be a moot point—the tape isn’t going to reduce your wrinkles. When used for an event, though, it can hide signs of aging and gives an immediate lift to the face.
But using face tape is similar to using makeup to cover blemishes—it’s an instant material effect, not a long-term solution or fix. "These can provide a temporary improvement in the appearance of fine lines, but again it's temporary," says DeRosa. If you’re looking to actually treat wrinkles, experts suggest looking into laser therapy, chemical peels, and other in-office procedures.
Potential Side Effects of Face Taping
Even as a short-term, momentary solution, face tape can be fairly cumbersome. According to Rossi, it’s hard to camouflage, even with heavy makeup or a wig. Beyond that, all the doctors mentioned the potential for irritation due to the glue on the tape. And while certain materials are often used for face tape to lessen this risk, irritation is still a possibility.
And, DeRosa says, repeated use can and will be irritating for most people—regardless of the tape’s materials. "The areas where people are applying the tape are often where the skin can be the most sensitive, particularly under the eyes and on the chest," she says. "The physical adhesive when putting on and off can cause damage to your skin barrier, leading to irritation, dryness and can actually worsen over time the appearance of the skin." Rossi also points out that if the tape is left on too long, its occlusive nature could cause clogged pores and acne from the sweat and sebum buildup.
So, Does It Work?
It’s clear that overnight face taping is fairly pointless—it does not provide any sort of permanent benefits and can really only cause irritation. The same goes for everyday use. Face tape is hard to camouflage and repeated use increases the chances of irritation.
If someone can recognize it for what it is—essentially a “facial Spanx” meant to temporarily improve the appearance for a big night out or for filming—it can be okay occasionally. Just remember that it is by no means whatsoever a way to treat or prevent wrinkles—and that it can lead to dryness and irritation.
As De Rosa says, "The juice is not worth the squeeze for this one. Trends will come and go, but scientifically the things your skin benefits from the most have not changed. The most effective way to keep your skin healthy and aging gracefully is a daily broad spectrum sunscreen of spf 30+ in the AM and a retinoid nightly."
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