TikTok is buzzing with another bold beauty hack—“DIY Botox” using scar tape as wrinkle patches. Users claim that the medical-grade tape can smooth fine lines instantly.
It's cheap and accessible, but is it really a Botox alternative? Not quite, though scar tape can change the appearance of your skin temporarily.
What Are Scar Tapes?
Scar tape is typically made of medical-grade silicone, which is flexible, non-irritating, and designed for prolonged use on sensitive skin.
It's meant to reduce the appearance of scars by holding moisture in the skin, said Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of British Columbia.
“This can visibly plump the outermost layer and soften the appearance of fine, superficial wrinkles,” she added.
Can Scar Tapes Really Work as Wrinkle Patches?
Scar tapes may produce a temporary smoothing effect by physically restricting facial muscle movement, according to Shoshana Marmon, MD, PhD, FAAD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College.
However, these effects are short-lived and superficial. Once the trapped moisture evaporates, your skin returns to baseline, Marmon said. Scar tape does not change the quality of the skin or address the underlying cause of the wrinkles.
Can You Use Wrinkle Patches as 'DIY Botox'?
The short answer is no. TikTok may call this hack “DIY Botox,” but dermatologists say the comparison is misleading.
“Scar tape works superficially and does not address the muscle activity underlying most expression lines,” said Marmon. “Botox works by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles that create dynamic wrinkles.”
Botox also delivers sustained results over three to four months, and when used regularly, can help slow visible aging over time.
Alternatives to Wrinkle Patches
If you're looking for longer-lasting results without an injection, dermatologists recommend sticking to tried-and-true skincare, such as:
- Daily sunscreen to prevent photoaging
- Vitamin C in the morning for antioxidant protection
- Peptides in the morning or night to stimulate collagen and improve skin texture
- Retinoids at night to stimulate collagen and boost skin turnover
- Moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated
What This Means For You
If your skin looks smoother after using scar tape, you’re not imagining it. The tape traps moisture, temporarily plumping the skin. However, these effects disappear once you remove the tape. Wrinkle patches don’t address the underlying muscle movement that causes wrinkles in the same way that Botox does.
Read more:
- Health A-Z
- Skin Health
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Satriyasa BK. Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:223-228. doi:10.2147/CCID.S202919
Griffiths TW, Watson REB, Langton AK. Skin ageing and topical rejuvenation strategies.Br J Dermatol. 2023;189(Suppl 1):i17-i23. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljad282
Juncan AM, Moisă DG, Santini A, et al. Advantages of hyaluronic acid and its combination with other bioactive ingredients in cosmeceuticals.Molecules. 2021;26(15):4429. doi:10.3390/molecules26154429
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By Kathleen Ferraro
Kathleen Ferraro is a writer and content strategist with a master’s degree in journalism and nearly a decade of experience in health, wellness, and science storytelling. She has served as a health editor at LIVESTRONG.com, contributed to publications like Everyday Health, Well+Good, and Outside, and developed copy and content strategy for brands like Stride Health, Peloton, Exos and more.
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