Gua sha, an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has surged in popularity within Western beauty routines in recent years. A quick scroll through social media and you’ll likely be faced with countless people claiming that gua sha is a miracle tool, capable of providing you with everything from an instant brow lift to a perfectly sculpted jawline. 

From helping people to feel less bloated to easing tension headaches, there are definitely benefits to gua sha. But when it comes to aesthetics, how realistic are the claims we see on TikTok? We spoke to celebrity facialist and skin expert Abigail James to break down how gua sha works and what benefits you can expect.

One of the main benefits people report when using a gua sha is more sculpted skin. “Gua sha can definitely improve your skin’s firmness but consistency is key,” explains celebrity facialist Abigail James. 

“Similar to a regular massage, yoga, pilates or other gym work – when anything is carried out regularly and over a sustained period of time with your muscles, tissues, blood and lymph, you will see a rejuvenation impact. Gua sha is no different. You can expect to see brighter, fresher and possibly more sculpted skin over time with regular use.” 

But gua sha isn’t a miracle worker, and it’s important to understand what its limitations are. Gua sha can help to move a stagnant build-up of lymph fluid or water retention out of the muscles, creating a sculpted, less-puffy effect, but it won’t completely change your face. 

“Yes, you can cause a temporary lifting of the brow with gua sha,” says James. “If you can achieve temporary results, then with regular use, the visible improvements will continue.”

Start searching for gua sha on Google and TikTok, and the results you’ll be faced with are eye-opening. ‘Gua sha before and after’, ‘gua sha double chin’ and ‘gua sha slim face’ are among the most popular, showing that people really are searching for ways to sculpt and ‘snatch’ their face. 

“Gua sha won’t get rid of a double chin,” says James. “A double chin is made up of fatty tissue, not a build-up of fluid that can be drained.” However, gua sha can be used as a tool to support and strengthen the area. “The repetitive use of a gua sha will improve the quality and strength of tissue.”

It’s important to remember that having a double chin is completely normal and natural. Instead of viewing gua sha as a quick fix for something that’s entirely natural, it’s more beneficial to see it as a practice for overall skin health and wellness.

While gua sha may not be the miracle tool that some claim, it does offer tangible benefits for those willing to commit to a regular practice. From improved skin firmness and brightness to temporary brow lifts, gua sha can be a valuable addition to your skin and self-care routine. 

Images: Getty