You’ve probably seen the videos. Someone peels off a stiff, brown piece of paper from the side of their mouth, and suddenly, those deep nasolabial folds—the "parentheses" lines—look suspiciously smooth. It looks like magic. Or a gimmick. Honestly, it’s a bit of both.
Frownies have been around since 1889. That's not a typo. Margaret Kroesen created them because her daughter, a concert pianist, started developing deep expression lines. These aren't high-tech silicone sheets or chemical-laden masks. They’re basically weighted kraft paper with a vegetable-based adhesive. When you look at frownies before and after mouth photos, the results can be jarringly good, but there is a massive catch that most influencers skip over because they want the quick click.
The reality? These things work by physical force. They’re like a splint for your face. If you stop using them, your face eventually goes back to exactly how it was. But if you’re looking for a non-invasive way to soften those stubborn mouth lines without getting filler injected into your cheeks, this is the rabbit hole you need to go down.
Why Mouth Lines Are the Hardest to Treat
Smiles are great, but they’re the enemy of smooth skin. Unlike the forehead, where the muscle (frontalis) moves mostly up and down, the area around your mouth is a chaotic intersection of muscle groups. You have the orbicularis oris circling the lips, the zygomaticus pulling the corners up when you laugh, and the risorius pulling outward.
Because we use these muscles constantly—to eat, talk, breathe, and pout—the skin rarely gets a break. Over time, the repeated folding breaks down collagen. This is why frownies before and after mouth transformations often look so dramatic in the morning; you’ve essentially forced those muscles to stay still for eight hours.
Most people struggle with "marionette lines" (the ones that run from the corners of the mouth down to the chin) or "nasolabial folds" (the ones from the nose to the mouth). Frownies are designed to act as a mechanical barrier. By dampening the paper and sticking it over the line, the paper dries into a hard cast. You literally cannot crinkle your skin while you sleep. It’s simple physics.
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The Learning Curve Is Real (And Kind Of Smelly)
Don't expect a spa experience. When you first open a box of Frownies Facial Patches for Corners of Eyes & Mouth, you’ll notice two things. First, they look like old-fashioned postage stamps. Second, they smell slightly like wet dog or old library books once you dampen the adhesive. It’s the dextrin (corn-based) adhesive. It’s not pleasant, but it’s better than putting harsh synthetic glues on your face for ten hours.
Applying them around the mouth is way harder than the forehead. If you put them too close to the lips, they’ll pop off the moment you yawn or take a sip of water. You have to "feather" the patches. This means overlapping several small triangular patches to create a shield that covers the entire area where the skin folds.
What People Get Wrong About the "After"
If you look at a frownies before and after mouth photo taken five minutes after the patch comes off, the skin looks airbrushed. This is because the patch has compressed the skin and redistributed fluid, while also preventing any muscle movement.
However, by lunchtime, some of that line will return.
Consistency is the only way this works. The company itself suggests using them for 30 days straight to "retrain" the muscles. Think of it like a retainer for your teeth. If you wear it every night, your teeth stay straight. If you leave it in the drawer for a week, things start to shift.
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Real Results vs. The Hype
I've talked to estheticians who swear by these for clients who are "needle-phobic." Kat James, a well-known holistic beauty expert, has frequently discussed the mechanical benefits of facial patching. The logic is sound: if you can't fold the paper, you can't crease it.
But let’s be real about the limitations:
- Deep Folds: If your nasolabial folds are caused by fat pad migration (sagging cheeks), a paper patch isn't going to lift your midface. It only treats the surface crease.
- Skin Irritation: While the adhesive is natural, the physical act of pulling a stiff piece of paper off your face every morning can be irritating for sensitive skin. You have to soak them off with warm water. Do not rip them off like a Band-Aid unless you want to damage your skin barrier.
- The "Sleep Mask" Effect: Some users find that the patches shift if they are side-sleepers. If the patch wrinkles while you’re sleeping, it can actually press a new line into your face.
The Science of Mechanical Inhibition
There’s a reason dermatologists like Dr. Dray on YouTube have addressed facial patches. They fall under the category of "mechanical inhibition." While they aren't a replacement for Retin-A or sunscreen, they provide a benefit that creams cannot: they stop the repetitive motion that causes the wrinkle in the first place.
When you look at frownies before and after mouth comparisons, you're seeing the result of temporary paralysis. It’s "Botox-lite." By keeping the skin taut, you’re allowing the dermis to repair itself slightly without being constantly interrupted by a smile or a grimace.
How to Actually Use Them for Mouth Lines
If you’re going to try this, don't just slap one on and hope for the best.
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- Prep is everything. Wash your face. Apply your serums and moisturizer, but let them sink in for at least 15 to 20 minutes. If your skin is greasy, the patch won't stick.
- Massage the line. Before applying the patch, use your fingers to gently spread the wrinkle apart. You want to apply the patch to flat skin, not a folded crease.
- The "Tailoring" Trick. The mouth patches are usually perforated triangles. Don't be afraid to cut them. Everyone’s mouth shape is different. You might need a smaller piece right at the corner of your lip and a larger one further out on the cheek.
- Dampen, don't soak. If the patch is dripping wet, the glue won't tack up properly. Use a fine mist or a damp finger to activate the shiny side. Wait a few seconds until it feels "tacky" before pressing it onto your skin.
- Hold it. You have to hold the patch in place for about 10–15 seconds while it sets. If you let go too soon, it’ll slide, and you’ll end up with a mess.
Is It Worth the Effort?
Compared to the cost of Juvederm or Restylane—which can run $600 to $1,000 per syringe—a $25 box of Frownies is a steal. But you are paying in time. It takes five minutes to put them on and five minutes to soak them off. Over a year, that’s over 60 hours spent managing paper triangles.
For some, that's a meditative ritual. For others, it's a huge pain.
Most frownies before and after mouth success stories come from people who are also focused on "face yoga" or mindful expression. If you spend all day pursing your lips or tensing your jaw, the patches are fighting an uphill battle. You have to learn to relax your face during the day, too.
The Long-Term Play
Don't expect a permanent fix. There is no such thing in skincare, not even surgery. The goal with Frownies isn't to look 20 again; it's to prevent the lines from getting deeper and to soften the ones you have.
If you look at long-term users—people who have used them for decades—they often have remarkably smooth skin for their age. This isn't because the paper has magical properties. It's because they've spent 30 years not creasing their skin for eight hours every night. It’s a game of inches.
Actionable Steps for Better Results
If you're ready to test the frownies before and after mouth transition yourself, follow this roadmap to avoid the most common mistakes:
- Start with a 30-day challenge. Your skin cells take about a month to turn over. Judging the results after three nights is pointless. Commit to the full month to see the cumulative effect on muscle memory.
- Use a barrier. If you have dry skin, apply a very thin layer of a simple oil (like jojoba) before the patch. This makes the removal process much easier and prevents the adhesive from sucking all the moisture out of your skin.
- Focus on the "Sweet Spot." The most effective placement for mouth lines is usually slightly offset from the corner of the mouth, pulling the skin toward the ear.
- Combine with hydration. Hyaluronic acid underneath the patch can help "plump" the line while the patch holds it flat, leading to a much more impressive "after" photo in the morning.
- Document it. Take a photo in the same lighting every Sunday morning. You won't notice the gradual softening in the mirror, but you'll definitely see it in the photos.
Ultimately, these patches are a commitment to a slower, more manual form of beauty. They aren't an instant fix, but for those who want to avoid injections, they remain the gold standard of "old school" skincare for a reason.