When it comes to anti-aging procedures, not everyone has the money or desire to go down the Botox route. After interviewing Frownies fans who swear by them, it made us want to give the $24 patches a try. The time it takes to see results varies from person to person. When I learned about Frownies, they sounded too good to be true: affordable, non-invasive patches you stick on your forehead that make the wrinkles go away?
Understanding Frownies and How They Work
Frownies are adhesive wrinkle patches that hold back deep wrinkles in the skin, which smooths fine lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions. They act as a splint for the facial muscles while you sleep, which helps to retrain the muscle to release tension, relax, and lay flat. Frownies was founded in 1889 by Margaret Krosen as a way to eradicate wrinkles. She originally created them for her daughter Alice who was a concert pianist and model. After spending many hours of sitting at the piano furrowing her brow in concentration, Alice had started to develop eleven lines between her brows. Five generations later, Frownies is a family-run business currently being operated by Kat Wright and Helen Morrison.
Deep set wrinkles, especially forehead wrinkles, are caused by repeated facial movements. The more we use facial muscles, the more they will contract and lines will form around those contractions. Frownies work by splinting facial muscles in order to retrain the muscle to release tension, relax, and lay flat. When the muscles are relaxed, the wrinkle doesn’t form. So, you’re not only preventing the muscle from contracting and causing wrinkles, you’re also retraining it to lay flat when relaxed.
Frownies patches are made of a natural weighted unbleached kraft paper. They also contain a water-activated starch-based adhesive made from dextrin, which can be activated with water or organic rose water spray. Dextrin is made by drying vegetable starch with certain enzymes such as amylase to produce a thick, sticky paste. Because everyone’s skin is different, it’s best to test a patch on your wrist first to see how your skin responds.
Frownies currently come in two different types of facial patches: Forehead and Between Eyes patches (the most popular) and Corners of Eyes and Mouth patches. To use Frownies, you simply wet the sticky side of the patch, wait about 30 seconds for the adhesive to activate, and then apply it to a specific area of your face. As the water dries, the patch becomes stiff, which prevents the muscle from contracting.
Application Process and User Experiences
The first time I put Frownies on, my boyfriend-with whom I live-had just gone away for a week. Putting them on was a bit of an effort. The idea is that instead of using one large Frownie, overlaying small ones on top of each other allows them to mold to the shape of the forehead better. Frownies are sticky on one side like a postage stamp, and you use water to stick them to your skin. You have to wait at least 15 minutes after applying moisturizer and spend a few seconds massaging the skin before sticking them on. You then have to pull the skin taut with one hand to smooth out the wrinkles, while using the other hand to stick the wet side of the Frownie to your face. I wasn't 100% sure whether I was doing it right. Does it matter if some of the edges aren't totally flat to the skin? Do you need to cover the whole forehead?
The Frownies had a certain smell about them-it wasn't unpleasant to me, it was almost chocolatey-and although my forehead felt very stuck, I forgot I was wearing them for the most part. You remove the Frownies by splashing water on your face which loosens the glue, and then you carefully slide a finger underneath to peel them off.
From interviewing people who wear these regularly, I got the tip that I should look at the brand's Instagram for application tips. I went about my usual routine (cleanser, retinol, moisturizer) and, once my skin dried, gently wet four triangles and pasted them on my head. The first morning I woke up, I muttered "Happy International Women's Day" to myself as I wet my face, peeled them off, and inspected my forehead wrinkles with the intensity of an award-winning truffle pig. Around day four, I noticed a difference. My heart sank. These really worked, but it meant I'd have to routinely sleep with patches on my head. I already wear a retainer; with massive stickers, my desire to cuddle with my boyfriend in the morning dwindled. It also made me increasingly obsessed with my wrinkles. I would monitor how creaseless my forehead looked in the morning, then feel bitter defeat when the lines came back by evening. Did I really have to be so facially expressive all the time? It gave me the impression that my wrinkles were beyond help (aside from $400 Botox shots).
I have been wearing Frownies for my 11 lines and some horizontal lines on my forehead for about a week now but I am having some trouble applying them. From reading the instructions and calling the company twice, I gather that you are supposed to pull the skin apart gently and then apply the patch. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have heard awesome things about this product. Thanks in advance.
If you apply the Frownie over the wrinkle, it will simply make the wrinkle look deeper. Maybe the Frownie is too large for the area?
I did find the pre-sized sections to be too large. The triangle that was supposed to go between the eyebrows was WAY too big for me & did cause me to have to stretch my skin a lot to apply it.
I figured you had to smooth out the wrinkle but I don't see how if you do that you wouldn't have extra skin around the frownie no matter what size. And even though I recognize the monkey on my back, I'm sure that I will be ordering more glosses & shadows soon...and let's not even get into my shoe & handbag * spam alert *, LOL!! VMP40, you will still have a little skin with the pared-down version, but I bet you'll find that it's not as much. And the frownies aren't as uncomfortable when they're smaller (plus they last longer because you're not using them up as quickly).
I tried cutting the frownies into smaller pieces and put one piece over each 11 line. I feel like I must be doing something wrong. I really need something to help prevent these 11s from getting worse. It's very aggravating to have to hold it in place until it dries, I know. But I tried mine again the last couple of nights (the triangle cut in half between my eyebrows) - and it has completely smoothed out the faint line that was there. Granted, it was very faint to start, but with the frownie, it's completely gone.
Kim thanks. But when you smooth out the wrinkle under the frownie and then let it dry, when you release what happens to the skin that you pushed apart to flatten the wrinkle? Well, nothing happens really.
Thanks everybody for your suggestions. I think I was just pulling the skin apart too much. I have used the Frownies the past 2 nights with no problems. Well done for persevering.
I've been using Frownies for over a year now for my forehead lines, and I'll tell you - NOTHING has worked as good as these! I just place them directly on the wrinkle. I use to have such deep forehead lines and now you can barely see anything there. I am so glad that I didn't give up on these. I can already see a difference in my 11s.
Potential Downsides and Expert Opinions
One significant downside of using Frownies is that while they may limit muscle activity temporarily, they do not address the underlying structural changes happening within the skin. By continually relying on these patches, users might create a dependency that leads to further loss of muscle tone. Additionally, Frownies may not provide the consistent, treatment-free results that users expect. The microclimate created under the patches can lead to increased moisture retention, possibly causing localized swelling.
Anjali Mahto, a dermatologist based in the United Kingdom and author of "The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin," says she’s unaware of any data that suggests that wrinkle patches are effective.
I wore mine for about 6 hours and found them slightly painful to peel off, similar to a Band-Aid that’s very well-adhered. Unlike a Band-Aid, though, the patches don’t leave noticeable residue. Frownies directions say that the patches should be “thoroughly soaked” to remove, which may have accounted for the discomfort I experienced tearing them off.
Frownies recommends that people wear several days’ worth of patches before expecting results, which likely accounts for why my elevens and smile lines were as obvious after patch removal as they were before. I did receive a fun surprise in the form of new face lines where the patches dug into and creased my skin at the edges (similar to a pillow crease); these lasted about an hour and a half.
Considering that laughing, speaking, eating, and drinking all require facial movements that will inevitably result in fine lines and wrinkles, it follows that a product aimed at preventing their formation would also prevent the movements that create them. “The idea of these types of products is they harden and basically stiffen, so you cannot use the muscles. So temporarily the idea is to prevent a movement, and over time to train the muscle to not move,” says Mary Stevenson, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine.
Continuous application of Frownies might lead to altered skin behavior. When skin is held in one position for extended periods, it may temporarily lose some of its natural elasticity. This could potentially increase the risk of developing deeper wrinkles rather than preventing them. Another argument against Frownies is related to the potential for muscle atrophy. Just as physical exercise strengthens muscles, ceasing movement can weaken them. Critics contend that by using Frownies over time, you might be reducing the natural functioning of the facial muscles, leading to a lack of tone and definition.
In conclusion, expert opinions on Frownies reveal a combination of optimism and caution. While many acknowledge their potential to aid in minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, they also highlight the importance of a holistic skincare strategy.
Achieving Results: Consistency and Proper Technique
At age 35, I started noticing more deep wrinkles in my forehead, so much so that my makeup would crease in my wrinkles and stay that way all day. Then, I tried Frownies. Initially, I couldn’t get the hang of it. I tried them on and off for six months and wasn’t consistent. I would apply them for a few nights, and then stop. About a year ago, I decided to actually do my research and figure out the right configuration. I also practiced so I could get them on quickly. Today, I’m sharing my completely honest Frownies review, including insider tips and the most common mistakes people make so that you can be successful with them immediately.
Frownies recommends using the patches for at least four weeks before seeing results. However, this can vary depending on the person. I recommend giving them a full 90 days before seeing major results, especially if you’ve had deep set wrinkles for years. My wrinkles went from visible throughout the day to almost invisible after using them 6-7x a night for 3 months.
After a year of testing, I can confidently say that Frownies do work! I used them for months on and off and didn’t see results. But, once I started apply them correctly and consistently, it made a big difference.
I’ve seen so many incorrect Frownies reviews and applications, and made many mistakes myself initially.
- Not letting the adhesive activate. If the corners are lifted up and not attached to the skin, that’s because the adhesive didn’t activate properly. When you activate the adhesive, make sure to spray the entire patch, then wait 30 seconds until the patches begin to curl. Apply the patch and hold down the corners for at least six seconds.
- Giving up too soon. Two to four weeks just isn’t enough. Commit to doing this for at least 90 days. The juice is worth the squeeze when you apply them nightly and do your research on how to configure them. By watching a tutorial and giving yourself a few weeks of practice, you can tear them apart in under 30 seconds, and get them on your forehead in under 60 seconds.
- Being inconsistent. I actually tried Frownies for about 6 months with little results. I would use them for about 3-4 weeks, then get disinterested and not wear them for weeks at a time. When you get the hang of it, applying them takes a minute or two and works right into your routine!
- Not applying enough patches. For the muscle to relax, you need to splint it from start to finish. I now have a very specific way I arrange the patches so my forehead wrinkles and crows feet are splinted.
Step 1: Wash your face and apply your skin care products as usual, including a toner, serum, and moisturizer. You do NOT need to avoid using a moisturizer. Just give it about 5-10 minutes to absorb before applying the patches. A moisturizer is KEY for all skin types, especially at night, as skin becomes more dry as we age.
Step 2: Separate the patches as needed. Using a rosewater spray, spray two sprays on each patch on the sticky side, and place it face up on the counter.
Step 3: With one hand, gently lift your skin until smooth. Apply the patch with the opposite hand. Once it’s on your skin, hold the patch in place on all four corners and press down until it adheres to your skin.
Step 4: Repeat with the remaining patches. Here’s my secret tip! Once all patches are on your forehead, use a dry washcloth and press down over all of the patches to secure them in place.
Step 5: Go to sleep.
Step 6: Moisten the patches with water to remove. You can do this in the shower or over the sink.
The Forehead and Between Eye patches are the most popular and typically require some stacking in order to be effective. They come in squares which can be split in half. Two of the four corners also have the option to remove the pointed edge. Below is exactly how I apply my patches one by one so they are comfortable and there are no pointed corners around my forehead. This is for my deep set forehead lines and crows feet around my eyes.
Take off the pointed corners. On each patch, Frownies gives you the option to remove two of the pointed corners so you don’t get poked. Remove those, then arrange the patch so the rounded corner goes around your forehead (see photo above). Separate your patches with dry hands. If your hands are the least bit wet, they’ll stick to you. Lay them out sticky side up on a washcloth before you wash your face or brush your teeth. Lightly spray the patches, then let them sit for 30 seconds. Wait until the patches curl before applying. Lift your forehead skin up to remove the wrinkle, then apply the patch and hold it on all four corners for 5-6 seconds.
The good? I’m now at the point where my results are consistent, and my forehead wrinkles remain completely softened throughout the day. I typically apply them 5-6x a week for maintenance. Looking back on photos, I’m amazed at how they’ve completely diminished my forehead wrinkles, specifically when I’m wearing makeup. These results only take an additional 2-3 minutes a night.
Alternatives to Frownies and Long-Term Skin Health
Folks who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines will likely get better results with retinol, a vitamin A derivative that encourages skin cells to turn over and die (this is a good thing) so that fresh young cells can grow in their place. Retinol creams are available over the counter and contain up to 2 percent retinol. The most effective results can be achieved via medical-grade skin care products, neurotoxins, and in-office procedures, according to Stevenson. Your dermatologist may offer anti-aging treatments or may be able to refer you to a dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology. Available neurotoxins include Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau, and though they’re relatively expensive, the results typically last between three to four months (talk to your doctor about potential side effects before getting injections).
Personally, I’ll be sticking with my low-dose prescription retinoid, which is cheap, easy to apply, and doesn’t make me look like a serial killer. Whatever lines push through in spite of my simple nightly routine will be cherished-or, at the very least, tolerated. I’ve lived and will continue to live a very interesting life.
Instead of relying solely on Frownies, consider diversified skincare strategies that promote skin health and elasticity. For instance, incorporating hyaluronic acid and retinol into your skincare routine can help boost collagen production and enhance skin texture. In summary, while Frownies may provide a quick fix for reducing the appearance of wrinkles in the short term, their long-term effectiveness and impact on skin health are questionable.
As with any beauty product, what works for one person may not work for another. It’s advisable to consider multiple anti-aging strategies - such as a good skincare routine, sun protection, and hydration - as part of a holistic approach to skin care.
Many dermatologists recognize the potential benefits of using Frownies as a complementary method to traditional anti-aging treatments. Dr.