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What Is Face Lift Tape?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

Face lift tape is a product designed to help pull back sagging skin of the face and neck. It is usually attached to the area just behind a person's ears. It is then normally held in place with a string that goes around the head and is covered by the hair. It has often been used by people in the entertainment industry as an alternative to cosmetic surgery. It can also be used by anyone who would like to give their face a more youthful appearance.

This product typically consists of two clear pieces of tape with a peel-off backing, one for each side of a user's head. It also contains a piece of string that may be somewhat elastic. In order to use face lift tape, a person must first peel the backing off one of the pieces of tape. She could then stick this piece to the side of her face near the ear or temple. Next, she might use the string to pull the facial skin tight, before connecting it to the tape on the opposite side of her head.

Face lift tape can be used to help an individual look younger without expensive or invasive surgical procedures.
Face lift tape can be used to help an individual look younger without expensive or invasive surgical procedures.

After applying this product, an individual normally styles her hair in such a manner as to hide the tape. For this reason, this product is often pressed slightly into the hairline. The string also comes in a variety of colors to help blend in with a person's hair color.

When first using face lift tape, a person might feel some tightness in the back of the head, as well as in the temple area. This usually becomes more bearable after a few uses. There are normally no unusual side effects noted from the application of the adhesive tape to facial skin.

Face lift tape is designed to pull back sagging skin on the face and neck.
Face lift tape is designed to pull back sagging skin on the face and neck.

Face lift tape can often help a user look younger without expensive or invasive surgical procedures. This is because it can lift sagging skin, especially around the temples and eyes. It can also help smooth fine lines and wrinkles in the cheek and jaw area.

This product can usually be purchased from a beauty supply store or online. It is generally easy to apply and remove for most people. When properly attached to the face and covered with a person's hair, it is usually not noticeable. This can mean face lift tape could be a good choice for a person who would like to look younger without undergoing a potentially dangerous face lift procedure.

How To Make Your Own Face Lift Tape

The results of at-home facelift kits are mainly achieved through special tape and make-up magic, so anyone can create the look with a bit of practice. You can also manage your desired amount of lift by making your own facelift tape and being your own make-up artist.

Tape Pieces

All you need is surgical tape with a reinforced end tab. Surgical tape is typically no problem to procure. Online stores, pharmacies, and even convenience stores often have surgical tape in the first aid sections. It is, instead, the end tabs that connect the surgical tape to the string or cord that can be challenging to recreate.

For best results, triple a ½” of surgical tape back on itself three times and then fold it in half with the piece of tape that you will attach to your face in the middle. The doubled-over section will act as the tab. Because DIY is not quite as easy or sturdy as the kit version, you will likely have the best results if you hand-sew the doubled-over tab together with the face strip in the middle.

Tape Attachments 

Once you complete the tabs for both sides of the face, you can attach them to the tabs for the string or cord. Some people prefer to use mini spring clips, while others prefer grommets to loop the bungee. Others prefer to enlist the help of a friend to pull the string tight and then sew the line down to the tabs, so there is no chance of a fastener showing.

The string, cord, or bungee will loop behind the head and help pull the tape tighter than just the lift effect from the tape alone. Further, because the tape stretches up behind the ear, the attachment helps keep the tape hidden from sight, deep in the hairline. Blending concealers, foundations, and setting powders over the top helps mask the additions.

How To Use Face Lift Tape 

There are plenty of online and in-store options for at-home facelift kits that don’t require any surgical cutting or cleaving. The secret is in the preparation and the type of tape you choose.

Preparation 

Before attempting an at-home facelift with tape rather than an invasive procedure costing thousands, follow a short preparation sequence to ready the skin for best results. Be sure to shower and cleanse the skin thoroughly. Wash and exfoliate the areas around the temples, sides, and nape of the neck.

After washing, moisturize your whole face and then spot clean before applying the tape. Slather your entire face with an SPF-based product. Once the moisturizer has been absorbed, lightly apply isopropyl alcohol to a few cotton balls. Using the treated cotton balls, swab the temples, sides, and nape of the neck to remove any moisturizer and excess oils. Your skin is now prepped for tape application.

Application 

Pull all hair up loosely before placement. For maximum results, people apply the tape in more than one place. If you wish, add tape at the top of the cheekbones, the back of the lower jawbones, and the sides of the neck near the nape of the hairline. As you apply the tape, move pieces upwards and back, pressing the tape into the hairline as you go. Once the tape is secured in all the places you see fit, go back and attach the tabs to pull the tape tighter.

Does Face Lift Tape Really Work?

The effect of the tape when the pulled end tabs are secured in the hair should be smoothed lines and wrinkles with decreased excess skin in the jaw and neck areas. While the results are not long-term, facelift tape does create a more youthful appearance for the time it is applied.

Considerations 

Some people have concerns about the hazards of facelift tape for long-term use. The adhesive in tape can occasionally irritate the skin, though surgical tape has been tested to decrease reactions in all skin types.

The continuous stretching of the skin can also cause wrinkles and fine lines while preventing the appearance of aging. To combat the effects of sagging skin both before and after using facelift tape, be sure also to use a hydrating moisturizer.

Discussion Comments

anon336442

It's hard to find a hairstyle that will hide the tapes even when the wind blows black my hair. It's near impossible to use it outside in the natural environs without it getting noticed. Should I alter this contraption, or what hair style will work? Suggestions anyone?

anon318323

I would like to get the lift up tape because I have pimples on my face.

anon318183

Can someone explain whether the changes last even after you take off the tape?

anon264409

I've just used Art Harding´s instant facelift for the first time (I had a lower face and necklift 10 years ago and noticed the effects wearing off recently ). I was very skeptical, but can't believe how unbelievable the results are! It's not as uncomfortable as you might think - and in my book, a tiny bit of discomfort at first is well worth the confidence it gives you. You do have to have longer hair, though - either that, or very thick hair in order to hide the elastic, which is very thin. I cut the clip almost in half and it wasn't at all noticeable.

You must follow the instructions as far as making sure that the area where you place the tape on your skin is very clean and dry and believe me, if you do, there's absolutely no chance of it coming off unexpectedly. It's not something I'd wear every day, but I'll certainly be wearing it on nights out and special occasions. It's well worth a try!

miriam98

@NathanG - Honestly I’ve never heard of that, but in my opinion anything is better than surgery. I do know that you can buy face lift cream which claims to do away with wrinkles, including frown lines.

I don’t know how well they work. Personally I believe that no product will work the same for two different people. It all depends on your age and how strongly pronounced your facial lines are.

In either case, it’s worth a try. I wouldn’t really go for the face lift tape because I don’t want to wear that stuff on me all the day long, even if I forgot about. Plus if it ever got loose and came off it would be more embarrassing than losing a toupee in my opinion!

NathanG

I had no idea that you could get a natural face lift using face lift tape. It seems kind of cumbersome to have to wear that thing the whole time, but I suppose that it beats surgery.

I do wonder if there are some products that will create permanent changes to your face. For example I have some frown lines that I want to get rid of. Someone told me that there are special tape patches that you can get and wear overnight that are supposed to stretch away the frown lines.

You have to wear them overnight but at least you don’t have to wear them throughout the day. If they really work I might give them a try.

turquoise

Wow, this sounds so interesting! I had never heard of instant face lift tape before but I would love to try this out sometime. The anti-wrinkle creams I use regularly have basically done nothing for me, so maybe this could be a good quick fix?

I just have two concerns though. How sturdy is the tape? I have oily skin, so I can just visualize the tape falling off my face halfway through the day because of the oil. And my hair isn't very thick and luxurious either. I wonder if it would be difficult to hide the string with thin hair?

Since it's so affordable, I would still like to try it at least once though. So, has anyone else used instant face lift tape? What do you think about it? Do you have any tips for me to make it work better?

candyquilt

@fify-- I don't agree with you at all! I use instant face lift tape sometimes and it really makes a huge difference. And I don't find it uncomfortable at all.

I considered cosmetic surgery before, but it's just too expensive. The results with that isn't permanent either! It generally last for 5-6 months and you have to pay all that money to get it again.

I don't wear a face lift tape everyday. I wear it once in a full moon for special occasions. I last wore it for my daughter's wedding and everyone was commenting on how young I look! It does help with sagging, but it helps hide wrinkles too because of the tightness it creates in the skin. And believe me, no one at the wedding had a clue that I had it on!

fify

I've heard about this product before and I'm a little skeptical about it. I do believe that it can lift the face and decrease the signs of sagging. But I don't think it can do anything for wrinkles.

Plus, whatever benefit it offers is temporary and only lasts while the tape is on. I understand it's pretty cheap and easy to use, but I don't think it can be comparable to a surgical face lift result wise.

I also can't imagine walking around all the time with tape on my face and a tight string on my scalp. I'm sure it's pretty uncomfortable and I would be so worried that someone's going to take a good look at me and notice it.

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    • Face lift tape can be used to help an individual look younger without expensive or invasive surgical procedures.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Face lift tape can be used to help an individual look younger without expensive or invasive surgical procedures.
    • Face lift tape is designed to pull back sagging skin on the face and neck.
      By: brankatekic
      Face lift tape is designed to pull back sagging skin on the face and neck.