Just when you thought you’d heard it all when it comes to mouth taping, one company has taken the viral sleep trend even further by introducing a new vitamin-infused mouth tape.
Dream Performance and Recovery recently launched Dream Tape+, a new version of their original Dream Tape made with vitamin-infused fabric that they claim benefits your skin and sleep.
There’s been a lot of talk about mouth taping in the sleep community, but many sleep experts and doctors have come out against the trend. So what makes Dream Tape+ any different from the rest of the mouth tapes on the market?
What Makes the Dream Tape+ Different to Other Mouth Tapes?
The latest version of Dream Tape+ is made of bamboo silk infused with vitamins like collagen, vitamin E, vitamin B, and aloe vera extract. It’s the first vitamin-infused mouth tape on the market. These new ingredients are what make the Dream Tape+ mouth tape so unique and supposedly better for your skin.
I don’t know about you, but the thought of putting an adhesive over my mouth each night makes my skin hurt just by thinking about it. Dream Tape+ tries to reduce damage to your skin by making the adhesive with vitamins.
What are the potential benefits of each of these new ingredients for your skin?
DreamTape+ Ingredients
- Collagen
- Strengthen skin elasticity to prevent wrinkles
- Vitamin E
- Moisturize skin, soften skin
- Vitamin B
- Soothe skin irritation, promotes collagen production
- Aloe Vera Extract
- Hydrate skin, heal skin and scarring
It’s important to note that these are all general benefits of each of these vitamins. (1) There’s currently not enough sufficient evidence to suggest that wearing vitamin-infused mouth tape has any benefits for your skin.
The idea of taping your mouth at night can seem very odd, so how did this even become a trend in the first place?
Why Is Mouth Taping Popular?
Mouth taping first emerged as a popular trend on TikTok (or sleeptok as they call it) in 2023 with the trend gaining over 24 million views. It’s gained more popularity recently since celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow and Ashely Graham have promoted the hack on their social media.
Those who swear by the hack say that they started mouth-taping overnight as a way to reduce mouthbreathing, create sharper jawlines, prevent dry mouth, and minimize snoring all to get a better night’s sleep. (2)
I know these benefits sound great at first, but the jury is still out on whether mouth taping is an effective sleep hack.
Is Mouth Taping Effective? Doctors Weigh In
Celebs say one thing, however many doctors say the other. They say the research to support the benefits of mouth taping is limited.
“Mouth taping is not widely recognized as a well-established method to prevent mouth breathing during sleep. There is limited evidence on its benefits and I would recommend talking to your healthcare provider before attempting it,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, Sleepopolis’s Chief Medical Advisor.
Who Should Not Try Mouth Taping?
Not only that, mouth taping during sleep could potentially be risky for some, doctors warn.
“Mouth taping can potentially be dangerous for those with sleep apnea and can make it more difficult to breathe properly throughout the night, further reducing the oxygen levels in your body and increasing the risk of developing other serious health conditions and sleep disorders,” says Dr. Shelby Harris, Sleepopolis’s Director of Sleep Health.
While it can be tempting to try out viral sleep hacks, this trend is not meant for everyone. As always, it’s best to consult your doctor before attempting the mouth taping trend.
Sources
- Collagen. The Nutrition Source. Published May 26, 2021. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/collagen/
2. Shaw S. Does mouth taping for sleep actually work? We asked healthcare experts. CNN Underscored. Published March 5, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/health-fitness/mouth-taping-for-sleep#what-is-mouth-taping
