A "sculpted" or "snatched" face is one of the most desired looks on social media these days. Countless makeup influencers are teaching lifting techniques, and on shelves, there's a growing selection of de-puffing products that makers claim can slim cheeks and emphasize jawlines.
The latest gadget to enter the market comes from the queen of contour herself, Kim Kardashian, whose Skims shapewear line recently released its Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap. The product description boasts "strong targeted compression for shaping and sculpting" thanks to its "signature sculpting fabric (and) collagen yarns for ultra-soft jaw support."
It costs $48 and is currently sold out, although there's the option to join the waitlist. The face wrap has already prompted dozens of reviews and reaction videos on TikTok, Instagram and beyond, and even Sir Anthony Hopkins has given it a whirl.
But can you really expect "sculpted" results after using this product? Does wrapping your face have the potential to change its appearance long term? Here's what dermatologists say.
Does the Skims Face Wrap Work to Sculpt the Face?
The fabric of the wrap goes around the face and head, and extends on to the neck. There are openings for the ears and neck and velcro closures at the top and bottom. It looks similar to the compression garments people are advised to wear after a facelift, Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of dermatology at the George Washington University, tells TODAY.com.
The way it encloses the cheeks and face could indeed potentially prevent some signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging skin, according to Friedman.
"I think it's very simple science," he tells TODAY.com. "Limiting mobility will limit wrinkles. Pressure will limit expansion of the skin from fluid buildup. So I think that it can help prevent the expected changes you would see over time."
That said, he calls the sculpting claim "misleading" because he's skeptical that wrapping your face can fix existing jowls or extra skin. "That is where procedures are needed," he says. "I think something like this is great from a preventative standpoint."
“There is no clinical evidence to support long-term reshaping or fat redistribution of the face simply from wearing compression garments," Dr. Jane Yoo, assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who provides cosmetic procedures at her practice, tells TODAY.com via email. "While temporary de-puffing can occur — similar to icing — any change in facial contours is fleeting."
"The skin and soft tissue of the face are not like clay that can be molded into new shapes by external pressure alone," she adds. "Long-term shaping requires changes at the muscular, fat pad or skeletal level, which shapewear does not reach."
Skims declined to comment to TODAY.com on skepticism from dermatologists about the product's ability to sculpt the face.
Are There Risks to Using the Skims Face Wrap?
Yoo says the product is "generally low-risk," but cautioned against "prolonged or incorrect use of facial compression shapewear." Possible side effects include:
- Skin irritation or breakouts from friction or blocking the skin
- Impaired circulation or lymphatic drainage that could lead to facial puffiness if worn too tightly
- Jaw joint discomfort (TMJ) or muscle fatigue
She also worries that people will have "unrealistic expectations" for how they'll look after using this product. "Social media is quite deceptive!" she adds.
But she says she's also "of the opinion as long as it does not hurt you and helps you in some psychological way, go for it."
How to Use the Skims Face Wrap
Face compression wraps, like Skims', can be beneficial in some contexts, namely after procedures like a facelift or buccal fat removal, because they can reduce swelling and help with healing, Yoo says.
For those who are interested in trying it to prevent aging signs but are not post-op, Friedman says you'd have to wear it consistently on a regular basis — though it's hard to give specific guidance on when and for how long given the lack of research.
"If you're someone who wants to do literally everything, I'm not going to say no, so I leave it up to you (to decide) how much do you want to do because, like so many things that are managing a chronic issue, to do this for a couple months and stop is probably a waste of your time," he explains. "Either you're all in or you're not in at all."
Proven Ways to Sculpt the Face
"Face shapewear is largely a gimmick with fleeting results," Yoo says. "While mostly harmless when used occasionally, it shouldn’t replace medically sound approaches to facial contouring."
She and Friedman recommend the following, research-backed approaches to sculpt the face and prevent signs of aging:
- Wearing sunscreen every day
- Skin care with ingredients like retinoids, peptides and antioxidants
- Radio frequency or ultrasound to stimulate collagen remodeling
- Injectables, like Botox, dermal fillers and non-invasive fat reduction
- Healthy lifestyle habits, such as minimizing alcohol, salt and poor sleep
If you're interested in changing your face shape, then seek out a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist first, says Friedman.
But even before that step, Yoo encourages reflection on the "snatched" beauty standard.
"Everyone has different facial shapes, oval, round, square, heart. ... Beauty is subjective and in the eye of the beholder. I tell my patients to be the best version of you. We cannot contort everyone to look like Cindy Crawford or Giselle."
