'I tried the face taping hack that's meant to smooth wrinkles. Here's how it went.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellness. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Senior Beauty Writer Erin Docherty road tested the viral face taping hack.

In recent news, everyone on the internet is apparently going to bed with tape on their face. 

It's called the 'face taping' method and it has exploded in popularity, with people touting the benefits of the technique when it comes to softening lines and wrinkles on your face — everything from nasolabial folds to deep forehead lines and crow's feet.

Just search 'face taping' on TikTok and you'll come across hundreds upon hundreds of people applying silicone patches, lifting tape and medical tape to their faces. Dubbed 'Spanx for your face', some people are claiming it's replaced everything from their retinol to their anti-wrinkle injections. 

Watch: Speaking of hacks, here's the 10-pump foundation hack. Post continues below.

So, could this be the answer if you're not into injectables and all that stuff? Does it actually work?

It kinda goes without saying, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with lines and wrinkles — it's a totally normal part of ageing and shouldn't be seen as a thing that needs to be 'fixed' in any way. 

But, like me, if you're seeing this hack absolutely everywhere and want to know whether it's any good — I've put it to the test so you don't have to. 

Here's everything you need to know about the face taping hack, including if it actually works.

What is the face taping hack?

Like most things you'll see on TikTok, the 'face taping' hack isn't necessarily a new beauty trend. However, the idea behind it is that the technique is supposed to help smooth out wrinkles while you sleep, preventing muscles from moving and therefore deepening and forming.

Which sounds like a dream, really. Because while there are tons of different treatments and procedures on the market, these things are usually expensive and invasive — and we're here for anything quick and easy. 

The science behind it? Very little. The results of TikTok? Phenomenal.

See here:

@koshaspa Have you heard of facial taping? #facemassage #facialmassage #faceoil #facialoil #facialtaping #kinesiology #kinesiologytape #kinesiotape #naturalskin ♬ Harley Quinn - Princess Nokia

And also, here:

@kirtitewani

Its simple medical face tape. Paper one is better as its glue is more subtle. Use it over night ir for a few hours during the day, away from any hair including eyebrows and hairline. Make sure your skin is moisturized well and not dry. Wait after applying your skincare for at least 10 mins before you apply the face tape.

♬ original sound - Kirti Tewani

By wearing face tape overnight, it's not only supposed to limit muscle motion but also help reduce and prevent lines caused by sleeping on your side and stomach and squishing your face into your pillow. Further to this, there are also different kinds of silicone tape that can be used for an immediate (temporary) lifting and smoothing effect.

How did you go?

Okay, as a side sleeper who often wakes up with deep creases all over her face (yes, I use a silk pillowcase), I was really keen to see how this worked out. So, like the crazed fool that I am, I decided to try the face taping hack the night before I was meant to appear on television. Naturally.

I bought Nexcare Silicone Sensitive Tape at the chemist for about $12 (I've seen lots of influencers use this specific one) and researched ('Googled') the best way to apply it. There are tons of different application and removal methods, but someone, somewhere, said to cut the ends of the tape in curves to help keep it in place. So, I cut the tape in strips with a rounded edge, positioning them over the lines on my forehead and crow's feet. 

I was worried my skin (which is notoriously sensitive) would get red or irritated trying this, but the tape was really soft and felt pretty gentle on my skin. I also focused on positioning the tape in a way that it would 'lift' my skin without stretching or pulling it.

For reference, here's what I looked like going to bed:

Never looked better x

When I woke up the next morning, I was surprised to find the tape had actually stayed on my face. Nice! I took some before and after photos of my brow area and eyes — and I gotta say, I didn't notice a huge difference.

My forehead looked a little smoother, but the lines around my eyes and the '11s' in between my brows looked mostly the same. 

Image: Before using face tape.

Image: After using face tape.

The verdict.

The 'face taping' hack is simple, affordable and is effective for short-term benefits (especially if you're going to an event or want a quick way to 'lift' your features), but here's the thing: it's not necessarily going to reduce wrinkles long-term. That part of what you see on social media is BS.

Because while it might work well when it comes to temporary smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, experts have said that there's a risk of not only doing a number on your skin barrier (by, y'know, constantly ripping off adhesive tape each morning), but there's a chance you might in fact make facial lines... worse. 

While the idea behind the technique makes a lot of sense, the issue is that by taping your face and restricting the movement of muscles, you're actually technically training your facial muscles to work harder, which then makes them stronger. This means they might end up ramping up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the long-term. Which is everything you probably don't want.

There's no harm in using it for the occasional temporary 'lifting' effect, but the time and effort of face taping, in my opinion, isn't really worth it. 

In saying that, if you use face tape on the regular and it really works for you — you do you! When it comes to fine lines and wrinkles, I think I'm going to stick with my retinoid, thanks.

Would you try the face taping hack? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feature image: TikTok: Kirti Tewani/Supplied.