Last updated on: January 10, 2026
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably paused more than once on a TikTok or Instagram video where a woman glides a pretty stone across her face and claims she just “lifted” her jawline. I always wondered if it was really possible or just another short-lived beauty trend. But as someone who cares deeply about feeling good in my skin—and finding easy self-care practices that actually fit into my busy life—I finally decided to try it myself.
So I committed to using a Gua Sha tool for 30 days straight. No skipping. No shortcuts. Just five to ten minutes a day.
And let me tell you… my face didn’t just feel different. It felt sculpted.
Here’s everything that happened, week by week, the changes I noticed, and whether I believe you should try Gua Sha too.
What Gua Sha Is (And Why I Gave In)
Before starting, I wanted to understand what I was getting myself into.
Gua Sha comes from traditional Chinese healing practices. It uses gentle scraping motions to help move lymphatic fluid, relax muscles, improve blood flow, and reduce puffiness. While body Gua Sha can be intense, the facial version is much softer—and honestly, it feels really soothing.
I chose a simple rose quartz tool because it felt cool and smooth on my skin. I also used a lightweight facial oil so the stone could glide easily.
Why did I finally try it?
Because like so many of us, I wanted:
-
Less puffiness
-
A more defined jawline
-
Relief from jaw tension
-
A skincare ritual that felt peaceful, not stressful
-
A method that didn’t involve needles, devices, or fancy appointments
If you’ve been wanting the same, keep reading—because this month-long experiment surprised me in ways I never expected.
Week 1 — “Is This Doing Anything?”
My first week honestly felt like a guessing game. I had no idea if I was holding the tool correctly, if I was pressing too hard, or if what I was doing even mattered.
But I kept going.
The biggest thing I noticed early on?
My mornings felt calmer.
Instead of grabbing my phone and scrolling while half-asleep, I sat quietly, applied oil, and swept the stone across my face. That alone made me feel more grounded.
Physically, the only real change I noticed was slightly less puffiness when I woke up. My cheeks looked a little smoother, and my face felt less bloated. Not a huge glow-up yet—but enough to keep me motivated.
Week 2 — “Okay… Something’s Different”
Around the second week, I started understanding the hype.
Suddenly, my jawline looked more defined. Not dramatically, but in that “I slept well” kind of way. My cheekbones started peeking through a bit more. I also noticed that the right side of my jaw wasn’t as tight as usual (I’m definitely someone who clenches their teeth when stressed).
The biggest difference?
My face felt lighter.
Like fluid and tension were finally moving out instead of hanging around.
I remember looking in the mirror one morning and thinking, “Wait… has my face always looked like this?” It was subtle, but real.
Week 3 — “My Face Feels Sculpted—Like, Actually”
By week three, the sculpting effect become more noticeable.
When I ran my fingers along my jawline, it felt more contoured. My cheek area looked lifted, especially right after doing Gua Sha. Even my under-eye puffiness had gone down a lot.
Something else surprised me:
My headaches decreased.
Since Gua Sha helps release facial and neck tension, I think it eased the tightness that usually leads to my tension headaches. I didn’t expect a beauty tool to help with that, but honestly, it was one of the best benefits.
And around this time, a friend even asked me, “Did you do something new to your face? You look really fresh lately.”
That comment alone kept me going.
Week 4 — “The Glow-Up Is Real”
By the final week, Gua Sha became something I genuinely looked forward to.
It wasn’t a chore or a trend anymore—it was a peaceful ritual. Something just for me. Something that made me slow down and breathe, even on busy days.
My skin tone looked more even, my jawline felt noticeably sharper, and my overall face looked less puffy and tired.
But the biggest thing I realized?
My face looked sculpted because my muscles were relaxed—not frozen or pulled.
Gua Sha didn’t change my features; it brought out the best version of them.
The Science Behind It (In Simple Words)
Dermatologists and experts say Gua Sha helps by:
-
Moving lymphatic fluid
-
Improving circulation
-
Relaxing tight muscles
-
Reducing inflammation
-
Boosting blood flow to the skin
When all of that happens, your face naturally looks more defined, lifted, and awake. It’s not magic. It’s your skin functioning the way it should.
Before vs. After — What Truly Changed
Here’s my honest summary after 30 days:
What improved the most:
-
Puffiness
-
Jaw tension
-
Cheek and jaw definition
-
Overall glow
-
Under-eye swelling
-
Facial tightness after stress
What didn’t change:
-
Fine lines
-
Dark spots
-
Deep wrinkles
Gua Sha isn’t meant to do everything—but it does what it claims impressively well.
Who I Think Should Try Gua Sha
If you’re someone who deals with:
-
Morning puffiness
-
Stress tension in the jaw
-
Long hours at a desk
-
Tired-looking skin
-
A desire for a gentle wellness ritual
Then yes, Gua Sha is absolutely worth trying.
It’s easy, inexpensive, and honestly feels luxurious even on busy days.
Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Repeat Them)
Here’s what I figured out through trial and error:
-
Don’t press too hard—gentle pressure works best
-
Don’t use it on dry skin (it will tug)
-
Keep the tool almost flat, not straight up
-
Clean the tool daily
-
Follow upward and outward motions
Once I fixed these mistakes, the results got even better.
Final Verdict — Is Gua Sha Worth It?
After 30 days, here’s my honest conclusion:
Yes. 100% yes.
Not because it magically transformed my face, but because it made me feel more connected to myself. More relaxed. More sculpted. More confident.
And in a world where everything feels fast and stressful, finding a small daily ritual that makes you feel beautiful—inside and out—is priceless.
If you’ve been thinking about trying Gua Sha, consider this your sign. Give yourself 30 days. Just five minutes a day. I promise you’ll feel a difference—not just in how you look, but in how you treat yourself.
And you deserve that.
