If you’re at all interested in skincare, it was pretty much impossible to miss the launch of an attention-getting new product from Kim Kardashian’s Skims line: the Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap. The stretchy, compressive knit wrap essentially serves as shapewear for your face, with “signature sculpting fabric” intended to give you a more contoured jawline. What does that mean and can face wrapping actually do anything to lift and sculpt your face? We’ve got answers for you here.
Is face wrapping a skincare treatment or fashion trend?
According to experts, face wrapping originated as a way to help promote healing after facelifts. “Plastic surgeons emphasize the importance of wearing compression garments as part of the recovery process,” explains Dr. Andrew Jacono, a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City. “These garments are designed to provide support and gentle pressure to the treated areas, minimizing swelling and bruising.”
Face wraps like the one from Skims aren’t intended for post-surgical wear, but they follow the same principle of providing targeted compression to your face. While the Skims wrap is getting a lot of attention, it’s not the first face wrap on the market. Several other facial compression wraps can be found online, most of which follow the same protocol: You wrap the stretchy fabric band under your chin, Velcro it on top of your head to secure it and wear it for a few hours.
Benefits of face wrapping
After a surgical procedure, face wrapping helps to maximize healing. Medical compression wraps are “designed to apply gentle, even pressure to help reduce postsurgical swelling and support healing after procedures like facelifts, buccal-fat removal, or chin liposuction,” lymphatic drainage massage therapist Flávia Lanini told Vogue magazine. Trendy face wraps like the one by Skims can also help to de-puff and reduce fluid retention—and that is what’s responsible for the temporary slimming and sculpting effect these face wraps have.
Are face wraps effective for jawline sculpting?
Because face wraps can help to reduce fluid retention that causes your face to appear puffier, they can give your jawline a more sculpted look. But keep in mind, the effects of wearing a face wrap are only temporary.
Is face wrapping good for skin?
Experts say it depends. If you have an event coming up, face wrapping can potentially give you a more contoured or “snatched” look. But dermatologists caution that wearing tight, compressive fabrics on your face might trap dirt, oil and bacteria on your skin—leading to irritation, clogged pores and breakouts.
What can you do instead of face wrapping?
Lymphatic drainage facial massage—both at a spa or at-home tool—can reduce fluid retention and give you temporarily more contoured appearance. Sonic Dermaplaning with LUXE+ can also help you give your face a more lifted and sculpted look. When you remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz from your skin, light can bounce off the high points of your face—instantly giving your skin a more lifted and tightened look. And if you commit to sonic dermaplaning once a week, you’ll maintain those results. 100% of our testers who used LUXE+ once a week for 4 weeks said their skin felt tightened + sculpted.
There you have it…it’s up to you whether you want to try face wrapping—but keep in mind the effects are temporary, and it’s not a replacement for a smart skincare routine that includes regular exfoliation, appropriate products for your skin type, and daily SPF.
