Altering facial features during slumber: Is the latest TikTok craze a dream come true...or a harbinger of despair?
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In the realm of social media-driven beauty trends, the "Morning Shed" phenomenon has recently emerged, with influencers showcasing their overnight skincare routines and the subsequent removal of various products to reveal a supposedly more sculpted visage upon waking. One of the latest additions to this trend is the Skims Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap, launched by Kim Kardashian's company, Skims.
The Skims face wrap, priced at around $60, promises to improve facial appearance by offering targeted compression and collagen yarn for jaw support, resulting in a more defined jawline and improved facial contour. Users report experiencing these effects after removing the wrap[1][2][3]. However, the trend faces criticism for its roots in extreme beauty practices, often involving uncomfortable or questionable products worn overnight, such as mouth taping and compression garments[3][4][5].
Experts are sceptical about the scientific efficacy of such devices for lasting facial reshaping, viewing benefits as largely temporary or cosmetic. For instance, Dr. Anna Andrienko warns that excessive use of face wraps can cause irritation, acne, or circulation problems[2]. Furthermore, the visual focus on "morning shed"—the removal of these products to reveal a more sculpted face—may reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and promote excessive overnight beauty routines.
The "Morning Shed" trend is not only concerning for its potential health risks but also for its impact on mental health, particularly among young people. Body positivity activists express worries about the trend's influence on self-esteem and self-perception[6].
Moreover, the "Nighttime Aesthetic" trend, including the use of shapewear and shaped masks, is sending the message that no natural face is good enough, drawing comparisons to the dictatorship of unrealistic standards, similar to the society depicted in The Handmaid's Tale. Behind the marketing buzzwords like "snatched," "sculpted," and "instant lift," there are no scientific data to support the claims made by Skims[7].
The Skims face wrap and similar products have gained popularity for their immediate tightening and sculpting effects, but they face criticism for lacking strong scientific backing and for potentially promoting superficial beauty ideals fueled by social media culture. As we navigate this evolving landscape of beauty trends, it is essential to prioritise health, self-esteem, and body positivity over aesthetic performance.
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- The average user's experience with the Skims Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap shows temporary improvements in facial appearance, but experts question its long-term scientific efficacy for facial reshaping.
- The "Morning Shed" trend, fueled by social media culture, has garnered criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty standards and potential health risks, particularly with the focus on nighttime aesthetics and extreme beauty practices.
- As the 'Nighttime Aesthetic' trend, including the use of skincare products and shapewear, continues to gain popularity, experts warn about its negative impact on mental health, self-esteem, and body positivity, drawing comparisons to the dictatorship of unrealistic beauty standards in pop-culture and literature, such as The Handmaid's Tale.
