This is what’s behind the anti-aging trend banding

In fact, it is a method mostly used in orthopedics: An adhesive tape is attached to the skin with Kinesio Taping. This form of therapy is often used for sports injuries such as tennis elbow. But beauty junkies have been cursing the tapes for a long time. The tape is designed to strengthen and relax facial muscles, which is said to help prevent wrinkles.

A cheap and painless alternative

The method is even at the highest level: there are many explanatory videos on YouTube, and you can buy pre-cut face plasters online. Taping workshops are also offered. Konstantinos Pilichos, FMH specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at FineSkin beauty institute, recommends a consultation before use: “It is important to fit the strips correctly. If you are interested, we recommend that you seek advice and treatment from a professional beautician.»

In general, the expert warns against using facial tape at home: “As we do not know any scientific evidence of the effect, we doubt that face tape has any real benefits beyond the purely psychological aspect. We advise our clients not to use it for themselves.» Also, the effect lasts only a few hours anyway and is not permanent.

Tapes stimulate blood circulation

What exactly happens to the skin when the tapes are attached? “Adhesive tapes essentially fix the top layer of skin. Each movement shifts the underlying tissue, similar to a massage. A permanent stimulus is produced that harmonizes muscle tone and helps relieve tension,” explains Pilichos. In addition, the valves of the lymphatic vessels open more easily, which allows more fluid from different tissues to be absorbed into the lymphatic vessels. The expert adds: “This stimulates local blood circulation.”

Basically, the bands will have a similar effect to a connective tissue massage. As Konstantinos Pilichos explains, they have an effect on the internal organs and help the body relax the muscles. The expert continues: “The daily beauty patch can improve skin structures, delay wrinkle formation and provide better nutrients to our skin.” However, he stresses that he does not know of any scientific evidence of the effect.

No permanent smoothing effect

Adhesive tape cannot provide the same effect as botox or hyaluronic acid, as the expert knows: “Taping works on the muscle through the skin, while botox and hyaluronic acid act directly on the muscle.” Therefore, the effect of facial plasters lasts only for a few hours and you need to apply the patch daily to achieve a lasting smooth effect.
But Pilichos also highlights the advantages of the method: “It costs very little and is absolutely organic, because you don’t add any active ingredients to the body.”

Cleanse the skin thoroughly beforehand

According to the expert, if you try to tape yourself at home, you should pay attention to the following points: “Facial skin should be treated well before and after. Taping is more effective if you have previously cleansed the skin, nourished it and massaged it well with an active ingredient cream and then gently dried it.» For frown lines, forehead lines, upper lip lines, eye lines or nasolabial lines, when applying the cut strips, the skin should not be pulled, but carefully pulled with two fingers and then the adhesive tape should be applied. “The tape should stay in place for at least four hours, or ideally overnight.”