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National Geographic
a day ago
- Health
- National Geographic
Face wraps promise a snatched jawline—but do they really work?
A snug compression wrap promises to sculpt the jawline, but experts say its effects are only skin deep. The trend's fleeting results come from temporarily shifting lymphatic fluid beneath the skin. Photograph by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic Once a niche beauty technique practiced by only the most devout anti-aging obsessives, face wrapping has recently surged into the skincare spotlight. Beauty fans are raving about these snug, balaclava-like wraps and their supposed tightening and 'snatching' effects. But can a stretchy wrap really reduce your jowls and tone your jawline? Here's what experts have to say. What can face wraps do? The use of compression garments for treating facial scars dates back to World War I. It became widespread in aesthetic surgery in the 1980s and is still used today for post-operative patients. A 2019 literature review showed a statistically significant improvement in facial scars with the use of pressure masks and a 2023 study on facial skin cancer patients found long-term stable aesthetic outcomes after 10 months of mask use. 'The body's natural reaction to a surgery is to swell, to gather fluid,' says Foad Nahai, a plastic surgeon from MetroDerm, who requires patients to wear compression garments for up to a week after a facelift. 'It compresses and reduces the swelling in front of the ear, especially on the neck.' Compression is also 'incredibly effective' for treating scars, especially burns, he says. 'Early in my career, when I was taking care of burn victims, we used to put them in a custom-made face mask—not unlike the wraps that you see on social media – to compress the scars.' (How much SPF is enough? Here's what to know about sunscreen.) Today, those same principles have been repurposed in the beauty world, where face wrapping devotees claim these garments can help lift and define the jawline, reduce bloating, improve circulation, and prevent sagging. Still, experts say any perceived changes are temporary. 'You may notice some improvement after taking off the wrap, maybe for a couple hours or so,' says Glen Nosworthy, an aesthetic physician and founder of the medical spa Glo by Glen. That's because the compression temporarily moves lymphatic fluid—a watery substance that can collect in soft tissues and cause puffiness—out of the face. 'Think of it like a sponge,' says Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at DermonDemand. 'You're squeezing the fluid out of the sponge, but as soon as you take the compression off, it starts to fill up again.' But tighter isn't always better, and could actually have the opposite effect, Nahai says. 'If you compress too tight, you compress all the arteries and the blood vessels, and there won't be as much blood coming through into the tissues.' Over time, this reduced blood flow can deprive skin cells of oxygen and nutrients, slowing repair and potentially harming skin health. It will also not improve laxity, the firmness and elasticity of skin that decreases as we age due to the decline in collagen and elastin. 'The only thing that really changes skin sagging is if you can alter the collagen, elastin, or fat distribution in the face, and none of these can be done with compression alone,' Kopelman explains. Nosworthy adds that if you can hold a 'full pinch' of sagging skin between your fingers, surgery is likely the only way to tighten it effectively. (Interested in wellness? Learn more about the real science behind popular trends.) Ultimately, there is 'absolutely no evidence' that face wrapping has any lasting effect on facial rejuvenation, Nahai says, but if all you want is the fleeting illusion of a sculpted jaw, a compression garment could help. 'If you're going to be in photos, this could be a temporary fix for you,' Kopelman says, 'but I don't view it as a long-term solution.' Face wrapping is generally considered low risk, as long as the compression isn't too intense. 'You don't want to wrap too tightly because it can irritate your skin or even cause an exacerbation of dermatitis or rosacea,' Kopelman says. Nosworthy warns that face wraps 'can cause skin irritation if you're in them for eight hours at night, especially if you're not keeping them clean, which could do more harm than good [and cause] acne.' As with any garment worn close to the skin, a face wrap should be washed regularly with mild detergent, Nahai advises. 'I would recommend that they should be cleaned at least every second or third night.' What else can you do to sculpt your jawline? While experts agree that face wrapping won't get rid of jowls, they have plenty of advice for maintaining a firm, defined jawline. 'Limit your exposure to the sun, don't smoke, keep your skin hydrated—those are the things that will prevent or at least will slow down the aging and the sagging of the skin,' Nahai says. Nosworthy recommends a lymphatic drainage facial to 'directly push extra fluid out of the soft tissue space, and then you can follow up with something like a gua sha,' a smooth-edged tool used for DIY facial massage. 'Facial exercises can also help to strengthen the muscles and move fluid along the lymphatic chain to exit out of the body.' (What lymphatic drainage massage actually does for your body.) Professional-grade options for collagen stimulation include radiofrequency, ultrasound, and specific fractional laser procedures. At the same time, plastic surgery may be the 'only effective' solution for sagging skin on the jawline beyond the age of around 60, Nahai says. 'There's no substitute for removing excess skin other than to re-drape it and surgically remove the excess.' Instead of investing in a face wrap, Nahai suggests buying a tube of retinol or retinoid serum instead. Backed by decades of research, these vitamin A-derived ingredients are proven to increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles, providing a 'greater return on investment than an elastic wrap.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This supplement may be able to help reduce the likelihood of skin cancer — these are our top picks
The skin is the largest organ in the body, yet it's the one we tend to gloss over until it starts giving away our age. From anti-aging serums to basic sunscreens, there's no shortage of skin care products formulated to promote healthier, younger-looking skin. However, one product you might not already have in your medicine cabinet is niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide — a type of vitamin B3. The best niacinamide supplement may help minimize signs of aging and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also been gaining traction for something even more critical: Its potential to reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer. "The risk for non-melanoma skin cancer comes from early-life sun exposure and increases with age," explains Corrie Alford, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MetroDerm in Atlanta. While it's not a substitute for sunscreen and annual visits with your derm, Hannah Kopelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery, explains that taking niacinamide along with other protective measures "is a simple, low-risk addition that can really help specific patients based on the research we have so far." Similar to slathering on sunscreen, Srdjan Prodanovich, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of EZDERM, tells his patients that these supplements are a preventative measure that works best when used regularly. As with most supplements, niacinamide isn't necessary or appropriate for everyone. Prodanovich recommends vitamin B3 supplements to patients who are at higher risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), as well as folks with a significant history of actinic keratoses, which are precancerous skin growths. "The data is strongest for patients who are considered high-risk, meaning they've had several skin cancers in the past. For them, nicotinamide [may] act as a preventive measure to reduce the chance of developing new ones," says Kopelman. Research on the role of niacinamide in skin cancer prevention is ongoing. That said, our experts agree that the optimal dose appears to be 500 milligrams twice per day. "[This is] the dose used in the most well-known study — the ONTRAC trial — which showed about a 23% reduction in new non-melanoma skin cancers after a year," notes Kopelman. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that's made when you have excess niacin (another form of vitamin B3) in your body. While they're both forms of vitamin B3, niacin and niacinamide have different chemical structures and different health benefits. For example, niacin may be helpful for lowering cholesterol levels, while niacinamide is linked to benefits for skin health. Vitamin B3 deficiency is rare as it's found in a variety of foods, including beef, chicken, salmon, eggs, leafy green vegetables and brown rice. In fact, it's estimated that the average daily niacin intake from diet alone is 31.4 mg in men and 21.3 mg in women. While these amounts satisfy the recommended daily intake, they fall short of providing a therapeutic dose. As a result, if you're interested in niacinamide for reducing your risk of skin cancer — or other skin benefits — supplements are (likely) your best bet. To better understand the benefits of niacinamide and what to look for in a supplement, we consulted three dermatologists and two registered dietitians. As a dietitian, I also used my expertise to review the most popular niacinamide supplements on the market, evaluating each based on its formulation, added ingredients, third-party testing and price. Keep reading for our picks of the four best niacinamide supplements in 2025. A note on supplements The products included on this list are dietary supplements. Statements about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications, so talk to your healthcare provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. Form: Over-the-counter niacinamide supplements typically come in capsule form, though powdered and liquid options also exist. Just note that powdered and liquid niacinamide products don't always provide a research-backed dose and may be more expensive. Deepa Deshmukh, a functional and integrative nutrition specialist at Dupage Dietitians, typically recommends capsules as they are convenient with standardized dosing and a stable shelf life, while powders often have an unpleasant taste and expire sooner. Formulation: Look for products containing a research-backed dose of 500 mg twice per day, unless recommended otherwise by a healthcare professional. Also keep in mind that many vitamin B3 supplements are in niacin form, not necessarily niacinamide or nicotinamide, so read the labels carefully. Value: When checking prices, compare the dose per capsule and the number of servings per container to ensure the best value. Third-party testing: Third-party testing and certifications ensure the contents match what's listed on the label. Kinga Portik-Gumbs, a dietitian and owner of KingA+ Nutrition in the New York City area, recommends choosing products that are certified by well-known testing organizations, including the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) or Consumer Labs. While these two niacinamide supplements didn't quite make our top picks, they may still offer value for some folks. Here's a quick look at what they bring to the table: Nature's Way Niacinamide: This vegan-friendly supplement provides 500 mg of niacinamide and is free of dairy, gluten, corn, soy and artificial colors and flavors. While it's made in a CGMP-certified facility and tested in-house, it doesn't undergo third-party testing for purity and potency. Solaray Niacinamide with Aloe Vera: This product is similar to others on our list in that it's vegan-friendly and provides 500 mg of niacinamide per capsule. However, it stands out for its inclusion of aloe vera gel. While likely safe, there's mixed evidence of its therapeutic benefits for gut or skin health when used orally. It may also have a slight laxative effect. As with Nature's Way, Solaray supplements aren't third-party tested for purity or potency. Prodanovich notes that taking niacinamide supplements is generally safe for most adults and hasn't been linked to serious side effects when taken in appropriate dosages. That said, some people may experience mild side effects, such as nausea, gas, dizziness, headache or rash. Niacinamide isn't safe or appropriate for everyone, including those with certain medical conditions or taking certain prescription medications. Alford advises that people with liver disease or who take statins may need to limit their intake of niacinamide and should consult with a doctor before taking a supplement. Similarly, niacinamide supplements may interact with with anticoagulants (like warfarin), diabetes medications and bile acid sequestrants. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also talk with a doctor before trying it. Not necessarily. Kopelman says that people at high risk for skin cancer should specifically look for nicotinamide (or niacinamide) on the label, not niacin. In addition to being more likely to cause flushing (a temporary reddening of the skin), niacin hasn't been studied for skin cancer prevention. While it's possible to meet the daily recommended dose of vitamin B3 from diet, it's unlikely that you'll consume enough niacinamide to achieve a therapeutic dose of 1,000 mg per day. For this reason, supplements may be appropriate for individuals who are at risk for non-melanoma skin cancers. Corrie Alford, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MetroDerm in Atlanta Deepa Deshmukh, MPH, RDN, CDCES, BC-ADM, registered dietitian and functional and integrative nutrition specialist at Dupage Dietitians Hannah Kopelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery Kinga Portik-Gumbs, RDN, CDN, registered dietitian and owner of KingA+ Nutrition in the New York City area Srdjan Prodanovich, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of EZDERM Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
