What is face taping, and how does it work?

Face taping is a non-invasive evening ritual that uses soft kinesiology tape to support your skin and facial muscles over time. While it's on, the tape gently lifts the skin, releases tension, gives circulation and lymphatic flow more room to work, and retrains your muscles to move less over time.

It's needle-free, gentle and long-term, and supports your skin's natural recovery process. With regular use, the tape can help reduce fine lines and relieve the muscle tension behind tension headaches and clenched jaws.

Where does face taping come from?

Kinesiology tape was developed in Japan in the 1970s to support muscles and joints in sports and rehabilitation. You've probably seen the colourful strips on athletes. The same principle is now used on the face, but with a tape that has an adhesive made especially for the delicate, sensitive skin on your face. It's most often used on the forehead, between the brows, along the jaw and around the eyes.

How does face taping work?

The tape works in two ways: by gently lifting the skin, and by limiting facial movement while you wear it.

The lift creates space

Thanks to a special pattern on the underside of the tape, the skin lifts slightly while the tape is in place. The lift creates space between the skin and the tissue underneath and can help to:

• Relieve tension. Pressure on the facial muscles eases, which can relieve tension headaches and clenched jaws caused by tight facial muscles.
• Support lymphatic flow. Lymph gets more room to carry away excess fluid and waste, which can reduce swelling and morning puffiness.
• Support circulation. Blood can more easily bring oxygen and nutrients to the skin, contributing to a natural glow and a more even skin tone.
• Calm the skin. Better circulation and lymphatic flow can help calm inflammation and support the skin's overnight recovery.

Less movement helps prevent wrinkles

Many of us frown, pull our brows together or tense our face without noticing, even in our sleep. With the tape on, those movements become harder to make. Over time, the muscles are retrained to move less and stay relaxed, even after the tape comes off.

Face taping is about prevention rather than correction, although fine lines can look softer after use. The less the muscles move, the less the skin creases in the same places. That's how the tape helps prevent new wrinkles from forming, and it's why tape is most often placed on the forehead and between the brows, where expression lines tend to show first.

How to use face tape

1. Prep your skin. Cleanse your face, apply your skincare and let it absorb fully so the tape sticks. Avoid exfoliating products and harsh actives where you'll apply the tape.
2. Choose your tape. The HOLLI Pre-Cut Face Tape Kit has ready-cut pieces in two sizes, 50 of each: a smaller one for between the brows and around the eyes, and a larger one for the forehead. If you'd like to cut your own shapes, choose the Face Tape Roll, 2.5 cm wide and 5 m long, two rolls per pack. If you have sensitive skin, go for one of our infused kits, with hyaluronic acid or copper peptide in the adhesive.
3. Apply the tape. Smooth and gently stretch the skin with your fingers, then place the tape. You can stretch the tape a little, up to about 10% of its full stretch.
4. Activate the adhesive. Rub the tape gently. The adhesive is heat-activated and holds better once warm.
5. Remove the tape. Wet the tape with warm water or a little facial oil and gently roll it off. Then continue with your usual skincare routine.

Want to know more about where and how to tape? Read about the method.

Common questions about face taping

How long should I leave the tape on?

6–8 hours. Most people find it easiest to wear it overnight and remove it when they wake up, but it works just as well during the day, for example while you work at your computer from home.

How often should I use face tape?

Every night for the first four weeks. After that, you can scale down to 3–4 nights a week.

How do I get the most out of face taping?

Make it a habit. Face taping works gently and gradually, so the real difference comes from taping regularly over weeks rather than now and then.

Can I use face tape if I have sensitive skin?

Yes. HOLLI's tape is dermatologically tested and made with a gentle, hypoallergenic adhesive. If your skin is sensitive, we recommend one of our infused kits, with hyaluronic acid or copper peptide in the adhesive. Always do a patch test on the inside of your arm or behind your ear before using the tape on your face for the first time.

Does face taping help with puffiness?

The lift gives lymphatic flow more room, which can help reduce fluid retention and morning puffiness.

Should I stretch the tape?

Only a little. Stretch the tape up to about 10% of its full stretch, no more. What matters most is that the skin underneath is gently stretched and smooth when you apply it.

What's the difference between the pre-cut kit and the roll?

The standard pre-cut kit has ready-cut pieces in two sizes and is the quickest to use. The roll is the same tape, 2.5 cm wide, for when you want to cut your own shapes and sizes.

What are the kits with hyaluronic acid and copper peptide?

They're pre-cut kits with hyaluronic acid or copper peptide infused in the adhesive to make the application even more gentle, a good choice for sensitive skin. Unlike the standard kit, they come in one size. Find them under Infused Face Tape.

Where can I buy HOLLI face tape?

The full range is at heyholli.com, including starter kits, pre-cut kits, rolls and bundles.

More questions? See our FAQ or read about how relaxed facial muscles support smoother-looking skin.