Skin and Hair
Face Yoga and Gua Sha: Can Face Exercises and Massage Change How You Look?
Can face exercises or a gua sha stone make your face look more lifted? Face yoga means moving and holding your face muscles in set ways. Gua sha uses a smooth stone tool to glide over the skin. Both are big on social media, with before and after clips of sharper jawlines and less puffy faces. Here is a fair look.
What supporters say online
Many people online say these habits:
- Lift the cheeks and sharpen the jawline
- Reduce morning puffiness
- Relax a tight jaw
- Feel calming and fun
What research says
A 2018 study in JAMA Dermatology had middle aged women do face exercises for 20 weeks. Their cheeks looked fuller, and raters guessed they looked a bit younger. But the study was small, had no control group, and many people dropped out.
A 2025 study of 34 women compared gua sha and a face roller for 8 weeks and found small changes in face measurements in both groups. It was small and only included women.
A 2025 review of 12 studies found that some small, local improvements have been reported, but the evidence is still not strong enough to say these methods work with confidence.
Positives
- Low cost and low risk. Usually safe when done gently.
- Less puffiness. Massage may help with short term swelling.
- Relaxing. Many people enjoy it as self care.
Negatives
- Small, uncertain results. Big changes in face shape are not proven.
- Takes a lot of time. Studies used many weeks of regular practice.
- Can irritate skin. Pressing too hard can cause redness or bruising, especially with acne or sensitive skin.
Bottom line
Face yoga and gua sha are fine to try for relaxation and less puffiness, but do not expect them to reshape your face. Be gentle. If you want to see how small changes show up on camera, The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free.