The Esthetician's View: Can Gua Sha Really Define Your Jawline?
You may have seen the smooth, curved stones on social media. Many people wonder if this ancient practice, known as gua sha, can truly sculpt your face. When done correctly, the answer is yes. It can create the appearance of a more defined and lifted jawline.
Gua sha does not change your bone structure. Instead, its benefits come from how it interacts with the soft tissues of your face. The gentle gliding motion supports lymphatic drainage. This helps reduce the appearance of puffiness that can make your jawline look soft or less defined. Think of it as helping to clear away excess fluid.
This practice also helps to release tension in your facial muscles. We hold a lot of stress in our jaw, neck, and shoulders. This can be due to daily habits, such as looking down at our phones, often called 'tech-neck'. Releasing this tension can relax the muscles, which may contribute to a sharper, more refined look along the jaw.
You might notice some immediate results. After just one session, your face may look less puffy and feel more relaxed. With consistent practice over time, the cumulative effects can become even more visible. Your jawline can appear more sculpted and defined as the ritual becomes a regular part of your routine.
Gua sha helps reveal your natural bone structure by reducing puffiness and releasing muscle tension.
The Golden Rule of Gua Sha: Why You Must Use an Oil
A common question is whether you need to use oil on your face before a gua sha massage. The answer is always yes. Using a gua sha tool on dry skin is a crucial mistake to avoid. It creates friction and pulls at your delicate skin.
This tugging can feel uncomfortable. More importantly, it can compromise your skin's moisture barrier. The moisture barrier is the protective outer layer of your skin. When it's disturbed, your skin can become red, sensitive, and irritated. The goal is to support your skin, not stress it.
A high-quality facial oil provides the necessary 'slip'. This allows the tool to glide smoothly and effortlessly across your skin. The massage becomes effective, comfortable, and relaxing.
At Nuebiome, we believe the product you use should do more than just provide slip. It should be an active step in your skincare ritual. The oil you choose can deliver nourishing ingredients deep into your skin, enhancing the benefits of the massage.
For the best results, always start with a clean face. This removes makeup, dirt, and impurities, allowing your facial oil to work more effectively. We recommend a gentle, non-stripping cleanser like our Biome Balancing Creamy Cleanser.
This creamy, pH-balanced formula cleanses the skin without leaving it feeling tight or dry. It contains Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, a postbiotic ingredient that helps support a balanced skin environment. It also features fine-milled Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, which is known for its ability to soothe and comfort the skin, leaving it feeling soft and prepared for your gua sha ritual.
Your Step-by-Step Professional Gua Sha Jawline Ritual
This routine is designed by experts to specifically target the jawline and neck. Follow these steps for a visibly sculpted appearance.
Step 1: Prep and Apply
Begin with your clean, dry face. Dispense 3-4 drops of a nourishing face oil into your palm. We recommend our Plum Botanical Serum for its silky texture and skin-supporting benefits.
Warm the oil between your hands and gently press it onto your face and neck. This serum provides the perfect glide for your gua sha tool. It features cold-pressed Prunus Domestica (Plum) Seed Oil, a luxurious oil rich in nutrients that leaves skin feeling exceptionally soft. It's paired with Squalane, a lightweight, plant-derived hydrator that feels comfortable and non-greasy. You can explore our full collection of luxurious facial oils to find the perfect match for your skin.
Step 2: The Jawline Sculpt
Hold your gua sha tool with the double-notched or V-shaped edge facing your jaw. Place it on the center of your chin, so your jawbone is nestled between the two points. Use your other hand to gently anchor the skin on your chin.
With light to medium pressure, glide the tool upwards along your jawbone. Move from the center of your chin out towards your earlobe. Follow the natural contour of your bone. Repeat this motion 5-7 times on one side before moving to the other.
Step 3: The Submental Release
Next, target the soft area directly under your chin. This area can often hold fluid. Use a long, curved edge of your gua sha tool for this step.
Place the tool flat under your chin, near the centerline. Gently glide it outwards, moving from under the chin towards your ear. This motion helps guide fluid away from the center of your face. Repeat 5-7 times on each side.
Step 4: The Lymphatic Sweep
This is the final, essential step to complete the drainage process. All the fluid you have moved needs a path to drain away. Use the long, curved edge of the tool again.
Start just below your ear, at the end of your jaw. Sweep the tool straight down the side of your neck, towards your collarbone. This movement encourages the fluid to move into the lymphatic channels in your neck. Perform this downward sweep 3-5 times on each side of the neck.
Pro-Tips for Success
- Pressure: The pressure should be light to medium. Imagine you are gently spreading soft butter on warm toast. You should never press hard enough to cause pain or leave marks.
- Repetitions: Aim for 5-7 strokes for each area on the face (jawline, under the chin). For the final neck sweep, 3-5 strokes are enough.
- Pace: Use slow, mindful, and intentional strokes. This is a relaxing ritual, not a race.
Common Mistakes to Avoid (And What to Do Instead)
To get the most from your practice, it's important to use the correct technique. Here are some common mistakes and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Angle
Many beginners hold the tool at a 90-degree angle to their skin, like they are scraping it. This is ineffective and can be irritating.
- What to do instead: Hold the tool almost flat against your skin, at about a 15-degree angle. This allows the tool to hug your facial contours and glide smoothly, rather than pulling at the skin.
Mistake #2: Applying Too Much Pressure
It’s a myth that more pressure equals better results. Pushing too hard can be counterproductive, potentially leading to bruising or discomfort.
- What to do instead: Use gentle, consistent pressure. The goal is to move the fluid under the skin, not to press deep into the muscle. Listen to your skin; it should always feel comfortable.
Mistake #3: Working in the Wrong Direction
The direction of your strokes is critical for effective lymphatic drainage. Moving in random directions won't achieve a sculpted look.
- What to do instead: For the face and jawline, always work upwards and outwards, moving from the center of the face toward the hairline and ears. The only exception is the final step: sweeping down the neck to drain everything away.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to Anchor
Gliding the tool without stabilizing your skin can cause unnecessary pulling and stretching.
- What to do instead: Use your free hand to gently hold the skin taut where you begin each stroke. For example, when working on your jawline, place your fingers on your chin to provide a stable starting point. This creates a smooth surface for the tool to glide over.
Completing Your Ritual: Post-Gua Sha Care
Integrating gua sha into your skincare routine helps you see the best results. Consistency is key. For a visibly more defined appearance, aim to practice this jawline ritual 3-4 times per week.
After you finish your massage, your skin has been stimulated and is receptive to the products that follow. Your face is already coated in a nourishing oil, like the Plum Botanical Serum, which contains powerful botanical extracts. It gets some of its antioxidant properties from ingredients like Elderberry and Goji Berry, similar to the powerful antioxidant benefits of Australian Kakadu Plum.
You can leave the oil on, or if your skin feels it needs more hydration, you can follow up with your favorite moisturizer. This will help lock in the benefits of the serum and leave your skin feeling calm, soft, and supple.
It is very important to clean your gua sha tool after every single use. Bacteria can build up on the surface. Simply wash it with warm water and a gentle soap, then dry it completely before storing it.
Beyond the visible benefits, this practice offers a moment of mindful self-care. Taking a few minutes to connect with your skin can be a calming and centering part of your day. If you have any skin sensitivities, it's always a good idea to patch test new products and consult with a licensed professional.
If you have more questions about our products or ingredients, please find answers to other common questions on our FAQ page.