Your bedtime routine is designed to be a soothing ritual, but is it really a nightmare for your nervous system?
Beauty has always been a labour of love, but these days, it feels more like a full-time job — one that doesn’t even pause while we sleep. Gone are the days of a simple wash routine, a layer of moisturiser, and a peaceful night’s rest. Now, we’re wrapping our stomachs in castor oil and cling film, taping our mouths shut for “better breathing,” and strapping our jaws into contraptions for that sculpted look. As if that weren’t enough, we’re layering sheet masks and slugging creams until our skin is practically shrink-wrapped.
And now, there’s a new addition to the routine — vigorous face tapping before bed. We’re pressing and patting our cheekbones, jawline, and lips with precision, hoping to “train” them into a sculpted masterpiece overnight. Praised as the natural alternative to Botox, this technique promises to reshape features without a trip to the clinic. But at what point does self-care cross the line into self-inflicted discomfort?
The Beauty Hustle: Even in Sleep
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Social media has turned beauty into a round-the-clock pursuit, where perfection is the goal and rest feels like a missed opportunity. TikTok, in particular, has made overnight beauty routines seem essential, with influencers proudly taping, wrapping, and sculpting their way to a flawless morning. The pressure to keep up is relentless — if everyone else is “training” their face overnight, can you really afford to skip it? Beyond social media, financial factors add to the craze. With Botox and cosmetic procedures becoming more expensive, many turn to these DIY methods as a budget-friendly alternative. But in our quest for beauty on a budget, are we simply trading savings for discomfort?
Mouth taping
Promoted as a “scientific” technique, this method is said to encourage nasal breathing, improve sleep quality, and even reduce wrinkles. Advocates highlight its benefits, but the idea of sleeping with your lips taped shut raises concerns about comfort and practicality.
Jaw-slimming straps
Designed to sculpt the jawline and prevent double chins, these devices are worn overnight for a more defined look. While they promise results, the sensation of waking up after hours of compression raises questions about comfort and restfulness.
Face taping
This method involves placing strips of tape on the forehead, nasolabial folds, and neck to minimise movement and help prevent wrinkles overnight.
Castor oil wraps
This approach involves applying castor oil to the stomach, wrapping it in cling film, and wearing it overnight as part of a detox routine.
Sheet masking to sleep
It may promise deep hydration, but in reality, it’s a careful balancing act—one wrong move, and you wake up in a wet, sticky mess.
The goal behind these routines is to wake up looking more sculpted, refined, and transformed. But do they truly work, or have we simply come to believe that beauty demands sacrifice — even in our sleep?
The Case for Beauty as Self-Care
For some, these routines aren’t extreme but simply modern beauty hacks — natural alternatives to cosmetic procedures. After all, facial massage has been used for centuries to boost circulation and reduce puffiness. Castor oil is known for its detoxifying properties, and wearing a sheet mask overnight might just be an intensified approach to hydration.
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In a society where Botox, fillers, and facelifts have become the norm, these bedtime rituals present a non-invasive alternative. If a few minutes of tapping, wrapping, or taping can help people avoid needles and surgery, isn’t that a positive shift?
There’s also the argument that these routines are about control — allowing individuals to take beauty into their own hands rather than depending on costly treatments. And if they bring a sense of confidence and well-being, where’s the harm?
When Self-Care Becomes Self-Torture
But let’s be honest—can we still call this self-care when it feels so exhausting? Sleep is meant to be a time for rest and recovery, yet it’s increasingly treated as another window for self-improvement. When did winding down turn into another task on the beauty to-do list?
Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist, acknowledges that the skin naturally repairs and regenerates during sleep. However, she cautions that some overnight treatments, such as taping or wrapping, can cause irritation or interfere with the skin’s natural processes if not used correctly. She advises consulting a dermatologist before incorporating new or unconventional methods to ensure they are both safe and effective for your skin type.
Similarly, sleep specialist Dr. Janet Kennedy stresses that comfort should always come first. She warns that any beauty practice that disrupts sleep or causes discomfort may be counterproductive, as quality rest is essential for both skin health and overall well-being. Dr. Kennedy recommends prioritising sleep-friendly routines and being mindful of treatments that could interfere with deep, restorative rest.
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With these expert insights, it’s clear that while some overnight beauty treatments may offer benefits, they should be balanced with comfort and safety. Listening to your body and seeking professional advice can help ensure that your beauty routine supports rather than exhausts you. But let’s be honest — can we even call this self-care when it sounds so… exhausting? When did sleep, the one time we’re supposed to rest and recharge, become another opportunity for self-improvement?
Beyond the discomfort of sleeping with taped lips or a compressed jaw, a deeper question remains: is this truly an act of self-love, or just another attempt to chase unattainable beauty standards?
Beauty should enhance, not exhaust. If your bedtime routine leaves you taped, wrapped, and sculpted into discomfort, is it really self-care — or just another obligation? When sleep starts to feel like a full-time job in the pursuit of perfection, maybe it’s time to clock out.
