- Jowls are the result of prolapsed buccal fat, degraded facial bones, and accumulated lymph.
- Combining gua sha massage and microcurrent facials helps tighten jowls and tone the jaw.
- Gua sha techniques help to release stubborn fascia and drain lymph fluid away from the face.
- Microcurrent devices help to stimulate facial muscles for a lifted and more defined jawline.
Are sagging jowls bringing you down? You’re not alone! Time and gravity tend to wreak havoc on everyone’s jawline. That’s because buccal fat between the jaw and cheekbones naturally prolapses over time, and the bones that connect to fascia and facial muscles degrade. The area naturally begins to sag, and as excess lymph fluid accumulates, the jowls will only look droopier — and more noticeable — as time passes.
Fortunately, you can fight a saggy neck and jaw with my two secret weapons for jawline droop: gua sha massage and microcurrent facials! While gua sha helps release fascia and sweep away lymph, microcurrent works to stimulate underlying facial muscles to combat the look of jowls. Discover how I use this dynamic duo of at-home devices to tighten and tone the jaw in this esthetician-approved guide!
Ease In with Targeted Gua Sha Techniques
As a licensed master esthetician for more than two decades, I’ve worked on so many jowls in my studio — my own included! With all this experience, I’ve found the quickest way to achieve more jawline definition is by easing in with gua sha first. Gua sha is a traditional Chinese treatment that uses a facial massage tool to release fascia, a thin layer of connective tissue that wraps around the bones, muscles, and fat pads of the face.
Bones, muscles, and fat pads wane over time, and that layer of fascia can begin to carry a lot of tension that limits blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. The proper gua sha techniques can help release stubborn fascia and, ultimately, lift the jowls for a more chiseled jawline. With that being said, it’s vital to consider vectors, applying movements that lift up across areas of facial sag, as part of your gua sha technique:
- Sweep from the bottom of the chin up to the ear, repeating on each side
- Glide up and across the jawline, from the sides of the mouth to the top of the cheekbones
- Skim from directly under the cheekbone, moving from the nostrils to the temples
Pro Tip: Follow along as I demonstrate how to use vectors for a proper gua sha massage!
Must Haves for an At-Home Gua Sha Routine
A solid gua sha routine is pretty simple: all you need is a gua sha tool and a nourishing serum. I recommend the ANMA device, a gua sha tool made with high-grade acrylic, as it’s less porous than traditional materials like jade stone. Plus, its unique ribbed design helps target fascia with minimal pressure. Speaking of minimal pressure, you’ll also need a serum (I recommend the eye-area-safe NeoGenesis Booster Serum) so that the ANMA can glide over the jowls without pulling, slipping, or tugging on the skin.
Best Practices for a Lifting Gua Sha Massage
Once you have the technique down pat, you’ll want to follow a few best practices to ensure you reap those coveted gua sha benefits. First things first, be sure to use a light touch. You don’t have to push hard into the skin or dig deep along the jowls to release fascia — it’s actually the total opposite! Pressing too hard risks spreading lymph fluid instead of draining it. So, the lighter you go, the better it works.
Other common gua sha mistakes you’ll want to avoid for the best jowl-lifting massage include:
- Failing to use your gua sha tool along your lymph drainage pathways (Pro Tip: Follow the vectors above for proper drainage)
- Flattening your face and further slowing the flow of lymph (Pro Tip: Use a gentle acupressure-like tool such as the ANMA instead)
- Forgetting to apply a moisturizing agent before massage (Pro Tip: Opt for an oil-free serum that won’t interrupt the next step: microcurrent!)
Turn Things Up with a Microcurrent Facial
Now onto microcurrent facials, gua sha’s partner in crime when fighting jowls. It’s helpful to think of the two as a tag team: Gua sha releases stuck lymph and fascia so that microcurrent can stimulate the underlying muscle and tone the jawline. The second half of this dynamic duo uses a mild current that mimics the body’s natural bioelectric current to boost adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by up to 500%.
The power of ATP is that it can strengthen muscles — in this case, the weakened facial muscles that contribute to the look of jowls. Plus, it can also boost collagen production, which helps the overlying skin look less wrinkled. The best part? It’s completely painless! Microcurrent devices on the market today help facial muscles gently contract with very minimal side effects aside from a possible warming sensation.
Pro Tip: Watch me follow vectors with microcurrent to expertly tone saggy jowls!
Top Microcurrent Devices for the Jowls and Face
A microcurrent facial isn’t just for the face: it’s ideal for a saggy neck, too (and to treat sagging under the arms, or even cellulite on the thighs!). I frequently demo my top microcurrent devices for at-home use, and I’m happy to report that you can use all of my personal favorites to also fight jawline droop. Here’s a quick look at my esthetician-approved microcurrent devices for tightening sag and flab from home:
- FOREO Bear 2 Microcurrent is a more advanced, feature-rich device perfect for my fellow skincare enthusiasts.
- Clareblend Mini has predetermined variable current settings that eliminate guesswork, making it more beginner-friendly.
Products to Maximize Microcurrent Conduction
As with gua sha, I advise following a few best practices to maximize microcurrent benefits. The most important is to use a conduction gel. I recommend the water-based CBE Botanicals Hydrate + Conduct Conducting Gel & Mask and the CBE Botanicals Mist + Conduct Hydrating Mineral Mist to amplify conductivity for devices. Never use an oil-based gel during a microcurrent facial, as it will lower conductivity.
Pro Tip: Tune in as I use this dream team of devices and skincare products to say goodbye to saggy jowls!
A Winning Combo for Enhanced Jawline Definition
When it comes to fighting the dreaded jawline droop, gua sha massage and microcurrent facials are a winning combination. Do you know what else is a match made in skincare heaven? You and the Christine Byer Beauty Club! The Club is the premier destination to access personalized skincare support, exclusive product savings, and even the opportunity to win a free consultation one-on-one with me.
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