If you’ve been perusing TikTok lately, you might have spotted the latest skincare craze: scar sheets. TikTokers are posting clips of themselves applying silicone scar sheets to their faces before bedtime in a bid to ward off wrinkles.
Some of these videos have racked up over 3.5 million views, with users claiming the method has “changed their life”.
In a viral video, one influential creator shares that she opts out of Botox and instead uses silicone scar sheets on her face at night because they “smooth out wrinkles, boost collagen, heal the skin, and keep hydration in overnight”.
Yet, some specialists are sceptical about this newfound “hack”. Dr Dave Reilly, Head Scientist at Absolute Collagen, expressed his doubts to us: “Scar sheets, typically made of silicone, are intended to shield wounds from infection risks. They also aim to reduce redness and flatten raised scars by maintaining skin moisture and smoothing the scar. Therefore, while scar sheets might give a temporary illusion of fewer wrinkles by hydrating and plumping the skin, the results won’t last. Scar sheets can’t address the underlying causes of fine lines and wrinkles, such as the depletion of collagen and elastin.”
Dr Reilly cautioned that leaving scar sheets on your face for extended periods, such as overnight, could result in skin irritation. “Your facial skin is extremely sensitive and prolonged use of scar sheets could lead to itchiness, blocked pores and blemishes,” he elaborated, reports Surrey Live.
He further advised those with sensitive skin to exercise extra caution due to their increased susceptibility to inflammation.
Another specialist, Brendan Camp MD, informed Health that the effects of scar sheets are merely temporary. He stated: “Silicone patches provide a temporary plumping effect to the skin because they draw water to the epidermis. This helps minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. But once the water content on the skin returns to normal, lines and wrinkles reappear as they did prior to applying the patch.”
With skincare trends gaining popularity on TikTok, Dr Reilly noted that social media “glamourises a very idealistic, multi-step skincare routine, which can actually be quite overwhelming to consumers”. He continued: “While some skin types do react well to certain viral trends or multi-step routines, it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is different and has different needs.”
One dermatologist, Dr Mirjana Maiwald, labelled the scar sheet trend as “the ultimate beauty scam”, asserting there was “no scientific evidence for it”. According to Dr Maiwald, it’s merely a “short-term fix” and the adhesive used in tapes “destroys” your skin barrier.
But how can we stave off wrinkles? Dr Reilly shared some valuable insights: “Wrinkles are an inevitable sign of getting older, however, various lifestyle factors should be considered when you are younger if wrinkles are something you want to avoid.
“Firstly, you should make sure you are using SPF every single day. Even on cloudier days, harmful UV rays can still damage your skin.”
To further minimise the vissibility of fine lines and wrinkles, he stressed the importance of a balanced and healthy diet. “While food is meant to be enjoyed, try to limit your intake of high-fat, processed, and sugary foods, as these can make fine lines and wrinkles appear more visible. Instead, you’ll want to add more foods with vitamin C and antioxidants to your daily diet.”
Additionally, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes is crucial for maintaining skin health, according to Dr Reilly. He also suggested that collagen supplements, incorporating collagen-rich foods into your diet, or embracing a low-stress lifestyle could be beneficial, especially since natural collagen production declines with age.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
