I have been face taping for a year or two now and I love it. I find the combination of gua sha and face taping to be the most effective for fine lines, wrinkles, depuffing and the most glowing skin (hello healthy blood flow!). Face taping restricts muscle movement and increases blood and lymph flow at night, while gua sha relieves tension, increases circulation, sculpts the skin and so much more. I’ve been doing gua sha for at least 6 years now and think my skin looks better now than it did 10 years ago.

What is face taping? Facial taping is a beauty technique used to relax, lift and firm your skin. It involves applying medical-grade kinesiology tape to specific areas of the face, In certain patterns and with certain techniques to create tension, which pulls the skin upwards and reduces and rejuvenates the appearance of sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

How it works: KT tape’s gentle “pulling action” helps to stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which improves and rejuvenates the skin’s health, appearance and function. By enhancing circulation and lymphatic flow, we can promote detoxification and nutrient delivery to the skin cells, leading to a more rejuvenated and youthful appearance.

What tape should I use? You can purchase the face tape I use here. Cotton, gentle and effective.

How to tape:

Always apply on clean skin. Apply all of your PM skincare and let it soak in for a few minutes.

Cut your tape. You can find my two different forehead face taping routines here and here. Depending on your forehead size and shape, how you cut your tape may vary. You’ll find what you like most! I use small brow scissors to cut my tape but any will do, just make sure they are clean.

Are frownies and face tape the same? No, and here is a video on why I prefer face tape.

Do I need to be careful how I remove my tape? Yes, for skin health we don’t want to pull on the skin a lot. Here is a video on how I remove my face tape.

How do I make the process quicker? Keep a pattern piece (the tape backing) when you find the perfect shape and size for your face to help you cut new pieces perfectly. I cut for a week of applications at a time. Pre cutting will often help you be more consistent and it doesn’t take much time!

Do I stretch the tape when I apply it? Start with zero, then up to 10%. Too much stretch may leave you with lines on your skin after removal.

How should the tape feel? You shouldn’t feel like your skin is being pulled or lifted. If so, you’re stretching the tape too much. After I apply the tape I often forget I am even wearing it (at least on the forehead). It feels comfortable. Around the nasal labial folds, eyes etc you may feel it more with facial movement.

How often do I need to apply the tape? Do overnight for 30 days in a row. then 3x week. I still like to do mine at least 5 nights a week just because my forehead is so smooth in the morning. You can start in the evening vs overnight to get used to the tape if needed.

Why isn’t my tape sticking? If you’re using our Seabuckthorn Oil you may want to not apply where you are taping or reduce the amount of moisturizer you use on that area to help it stick. I often find I don’t need to change my routine at all and the tape sticks all night no problem.

Author: Kayla Vickrey, Esthetician and owner of Flourish Aesthetics. Licensed Esthetician of 14 years and holistic beauty junkie looking to mature gracefully.

Published 8/11/2025.