The material devoted to internet trends was published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons on August 13, 2026. The experts looked at, among others: face taping, face yoga, mewing, gua sha massages, cooling rollers, home LED masks and procedures called "morning shed".
Some methods can briefly reduce swelling or improve the appearance of the skin. However, there is no reason to expect that they will permanently change the contour of the face, prevent wrinkles or replace medical treatment. However, trends involving surgical intervention require greater caution: especially the removal of Bichat's fat pads, which is popular among young people.
Face taping smoothes the skin, but the effect quickly disappears
Face taping involves applying tapes to selected areas of the face, most often at night. Supporters of the method argue that it limits the formation of wrinkles and allows tissue to be lifted without surgery. According to ASPS experts, after removing the tapes, the skin may actually look smoother. However, there is no strong evidence that the method prevents wrinkles or has a long-lasting effect. Cooling rollers work similarly. Low temperature constricts blood vessels and temporarily reduces swelling. Thanks to this, the face may look fresher and slimmer, but its structure remains unchanged.
In the discussion about online methods, different meanings of the word "effect" are often confused. The above-mentioned skin cooling, massages or tapes can actually reduce swelling for a few hours and thus improve the appearance of the face. However, this is not a restructuring of the skin or lifting of deeper tissues - and it should be remembered that such activities are not an alternative to, for example, lifting. Home remedies can be a pleasant element of care, which also has a positive effect on your well-being and appearance. It is therefore particularly important to honestly define the limits of their activities. Presenting a short-term result as a permanent change creates unrealistic expectations and may encourage unnecessary expenses - prof. Ph.D. n. med. Paweł Szychta – specialist in plastic surgery, member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The "morning shed" has also gained Internet popularity. The trend is to apply several masks, patches, tapes and beauty products before bed, which are then removed one by one in front of the camera in the morning. Experts find no basis to attribute a lifting effect to this procedure. Excessive preparations applied at the same time may contribute to clogging of pores.
Face yoga and mewing will not rebuild your face
Face yoga is based on regular exercises that engage facial muscles. Mewing, on the other hand, involves keeping the tongue in a specific position near the palate. Supporters of both methods attribute to them the ability to slim the face and emphasize the jawline.
Experts from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons point out that the available evidence does not confirm a clear and lasting change in appearance. Mewing will not rebuild adult bones and will not replace orthodontic or surgical treatment.
An adult face is not a structure that can be freely reshaped by repeating one movement many times or by changing the position of the tongue. Its shape is determined by the skeleton, fat compartments, muscles, ligaments and skin. When training facial expressions intensively, you must also remember that frequent muscle contractions contribute to the formation of dynamic wrinkles. Properly selected exercises can be beneficial and I often recommend them, but not every movement will be neutral for the face. Repeatedly tightening the same muscles can perpetuate the wrinkles we wanted to reduce, and therefore produce the opposite result than intended. Good intentions do not replace knowledge of anatomy, so, just like when choosing a surgeon, it is worth taking into account the competences of the person giving advice - emphasizes plastic surgeon Prof. Paweł Szychta.
Similar reservations apply to devices intended for "training" the jaw. Chewing on hard, plastic devices will not change the facial bone structure. However, it may put excessive strain on the muscles and temporomandibular joints.
Gua sha and LED masks have limited use
Not all viral methods are completely baseless. Gua sha massage and lymphatic drainage can temporarily reduce fluid retention and reduce swelling. However, they do not permanently shape the face contour and do not produce a surgical lifting effect. Lymphatic drainage can also be helpful during recovery after certain surgical or injection procedures. However, it should be performed at the right time and in accordance with the doctor's recommendations.
More data supports the effects of LED light therapy. Homemade masks can, to some extent, support skin condition and collagen production. However, devices designed for self-use are typically less powerful than medical equipment, so the results remain subtle and require regular use.
I am absolutely in favor of rationalizing the effectiveness of all "home" methods, which can certainly be useful, but only if the limitations of these methods are properly and honestly articulated. A properly performed massage can reduce fluid stagnation, and a good quality LED device can support the condition of the skin. However, it is worth maintaining the appropriate scale of expectations. Improving the appearance of the skin surface or reducing swelling and surgical tissue lifting are completely different results. The problem begins when a subtle care action is advertised as an alternative to a medical procedure, says Professor Paweł Szychta.
Removing the Bichat pads can affect the appearance of your face years later
The trend of surgically removing Bichat's fat pads raises the most serious concerns. The treatment allows you to slim the middle and lower part of the face, but its results should be considered in the perspective of many years.
Facial volume naturally decreases with age. Cheeks that seem too full in a person in their twenties may become much slimmer after a dozen or so years. Earlier removal of fatty tissue may deepen the hollowness of the cheeks, sharpen the features and give the face a tired look.
ASPS experts indicate that some patients undergoing the procedure at a young age may regret the loss of volume associated with a youthful appearance years later.
The decision to remove Bichat pads should not be made solely on the appearance of a young face. The removed tissue cannot be easily recreated, so very young patients and people with a slim face require special care - emphasizes Prof. Paweł Szychta.
Prof. Szychta: The patient comes with inspiration, the doctor assesses the anatomy
Social media also changed the course of consultations. Patients are more likely to know the names of procedures, observe doctors, and show photos of expected results. Suzanne Trott, one of the experts cited by ASPS, notes that in her practice, questions about facial surgery began to appear more often than questions about breast surgery.
Greater access to information allows patients to describe their expectations more precisely. At the same time, filters, appropriate lighting, face positioning and material editing may create an unrealistic image of the effect. Even a popular trend does not have to be suitable for a specific person.
Social media has greatly shortened the path from seeing an attractive effect to believing that a specific treatment is needed. Sometimes the patient actually comes with the name of the procedure before anyone reliably assesses the proportions of his face, the quality of his skin or the distribution of fat tissue. However, the experience and maturity of the surgeon is also expressed in the ability to opt out of surgery. Not every anatomical feature requires correction, and a procedure popular in a given season may not look good after ten years. The doctor should be able to tell the patient that the expected result is unrealistic, the risk outweighs the possible benefit, or the best solution is to leave the face without any intervention, concludes the professor.
The popularity of home methods shows how much interest there is in natural and minimally invasive appearance care. However, experts remind that short-term smoothing of the skin or reduction of swelling should not be confused with a permanent change in anatomy. Before deciding on surgery, it is worth consulting a specialist who will assess not only the possible effect immediately after surgery, but also its consequences in the following years.
