It’s time for mattress: You’ve brushed your tooth, cleansed your pores and skin, utilized a hydrating serum and moisturized. However wait… did you overlook to tape? Based on movie star facialist Guendalina Gennari–who works with everybody from Anne Hathaway to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley–face taping is your ticket to wonderful line- and wrinkle-free pores and skin. “I’ve been utilizing tape for some time to deal with my nasolabial and brow traces,” she revealed on Instagram. “Being a side-sleeper, I used to get up with deep traces on the left aspect of my face and face taping helps me [with it].”

You don’t want me to inform you that a lot of the skincare trade is dedicated to discovering methods wherein to “eradicate” (their phrases, not mine) wonderful traces and wrinkles–to not point out that proven fact that Google searches for “find out how to do away with wonderful traces” have shot up by 1,000 p.c within the final 30 days alone. Regardless of the noticeable (and welcome) upswing in age positivity within the tradition, many people nonetheless wish to discover methods to make our pores and skin seem as recent and youthful as potential–and that’s completely wonderful.

What’s face taping?

A method pioneered by chiropractor Dr Kenzo Kase in Japan within the ’70s, tape was initially deployed to assist help the physique’s muscle groups following harm and to alleviate ache–in some instances, it was used to extend the contraction of the muscle, whereas in others it was used to lower muscle stimulation to loosen up the world. This technique additionally helped to reinforce blood circulation.

“For the face, it really works in precisely the identical manner,” Gennari tells Vogue. “The pores and skin is immediately hooked up to the muscle groups on the face, and when tape is utilized in the correct manner, it lifts the pores and skin and permits vitamins and oxygen to circulation beneath, lowering puffiness and softening traces.” The tape additionally helps the muscle groups to loosen up and, when used in a single day–at which level the lymphatic system is working more durable–you possibly can anticipate to get up with brighter, extra contoured pores and skin, she says.

How does face taping assist to cut back wonderful traces?

A dermatologist would advise incorporating some type of retinoid into your routine to spice up collagen manufacturing, soften wonderful traces and plump up the pores and skin – or attempting an in-clinic therapy reminiscent of laser – and so face taping is regarded instead strategy. “If used often, it may assist forestall or soften wonderful traces – as we age, our muscle groups shorten which creates creases within the pores and skin, however tape helps preserve the muscle construction,” says Gennari. “It’s an particularly good software for many who sleep on their aspect.”

It’s value noting that when you’ve got deep traces and wrinkles, it received’t magically erase them, however it may be an ideal preventative approach for these beginning to see extra uneven texture on account of collagen degradation.

Tips on how to apply the tape

In addition to following Gennari’s lead on Instagram, it’s key to put tape in order that it “follows the lymphatic system and muscle construction.” You’ll discover some helpful diagrams on Google (strive typing “face lymphatic system” into the search bar), however some key areas are on the nasolabial folds, the outer corners of eyes, across the cheekbones and on each side of the brow. “It’s crucial to not stretch the tape, as it may stress the muscle groups and do extra injury than good,” she provides.

What’s one of the best tape?

Whether or not you’ve got delicate pores and skin or not, the considered making use of tape to your face will not be particularly interesting. The important thing to creating it snug is to make sure you use kinesiology tape for kids, or for these with delicate pores and skin. “The glue is gentler and the cotton extra breathable,” says Gennari. “I’ve very delicate pores and skin. I get mine from Amazon or from particular web sites that promote medical tape.” New hack: unlocked.