Jennifer Lawrence has revealed the real reason she is constantly photographed wearing scarves wrapped around her face and head.
The Oscar winner, 36, told Vogue that the accessory is not a fashion statement but a cover-up for melasma spots she developed after starting Tretinoin, a prescription medication used to treat acne and sun-damaged skin. The disclosure came during a wide-ranging interview with the fashion magazine that also touched on her use of cosmetic procedures.
“I’ve been wearing a scarf over my melasma spots ever since I started Tret, which of course I get photographed and people think I’m making some sort of fashion statement,” Lawrence said in the Vogue interview.
“I’m literally just haggard and scaling and trying to survive,” she added.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, melasma is a skin condition that causes patches and spots, usually on the face, that are darker than a person’s natural skin tone. The condition is more common in women, with some cases developing during pregnancy. The AAD notes that many people with melasma find their dark spots become more noticeable during summer months and fade in winter, making daily sunscreen use and protective headwear important preventive measures.
Lawrence specified that her melasma appears on her chin and cheeks, which is why she has been pictured with scarves tied around her face and head in the manner that has drawn public attention.
“There’s no amount of looking goofy that I’m going to care about more than my melasma,” she insisted.
The “Silver Linings Playbook” star also addressed her stance on cosmetic procedures during the Vogue conversation. She revealed that she has had “baby Botox,” a treatment that uses smaller microdoses than traditional Botox to soften fine lines while preserving natural facial movement.
“I need to have movement in my face—I get baby Botox, but I can’t do a lot,” Lawrence said.
She distinguished this approach from more extensive work, explaining that the limited dosage allows her to maintain the expressiveness required for her acting career. Traditional Botox, by contrast, can temporarily paralyze facial muscles and restrict movement.
Lawrence also told the magazine that she would be interested in buccal fat removal, a surgical procedure that extracts fat pads from inside the lower cheeks to create a more chiseled cheekbone structure. She has not pursued it, she said, because “everybody would know.”
Her use of “baby Botox” places her among a growing number of celebrities who have embraced the more subtle treatment. Kendall Jenner, whom Lawrence has publicly admired along with the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner family, disclosed earlier this year on the “In Your Dreams” podcast that she has also had “baby Botox” in her forehead. Jenner, 28, denied rumors of a “full facial reconstruction” during the same appearance, stating: “I’ve never had any plastic surgery on my face. I’ve never had any work done.”
Lawrence’s scarf-wearing has been a recurring visual in paparazzi photographs and public appearances over recent months, with observers previously speculating about the style choice. The accessories have ranged from silk scarves to thicker, warmer pieces depending on the setting and season.
The actress has been open about her skincare routine in the past, including her use of sun protection. During the Vogue interview, she mentioned applying SPF to her hands as part of her regimen.