Gua Sha & Facial Massage: Do They Change Wrinkles? Pakistan

Gua sha and facial rollers have become social media favourites, promising sculpted cheekbones and fewer wrinkles. A little research suggests facial massage can briefly reduce puffiness and may improve muscle tone and skin elasticity slightly, but there is no good evidence that it removes wrinkles. Used gently, it is a harmless relaxation ritual, and used roughly it can cause bruising and irritation. This guide explains what is known and how to use tools safely. The advice is meant for people in Pakistan, where gua sha tools and facial massage are popular on social media.

Key takeaways

Massage can temporarily reduce puffiness and boost circulation, but there is little evidence that it removes wrinkles
One small study found modest changes in contour, muscle tone and elasticity with rollers and gua sha
Pressing hard, dragging dry skin or using it on active acne can cause bruising, redness and breakouts
Sunscreen and retinoids have far stronger evidence for lines

What are gua sha and facial rollers?

Gua sha is a traditional East Asian technique that uses a smooth-edged tool, often jade or stone, to stroke the skin with light pressure. Facial rollers are small wheels, often stone or metal, that are rolled across the face. Both are used with an oil or serum to help the tool glide. Fans claim improved lymph drainage, firmer skin and fewer wrinkles. The traditions have a long history, but claims about wrinkles have not been tested in large trials.

In the clinic, gua sha on the body can leave red or purple marks called petechiae. Facial gua sha, as used in beauty routines, is meant to be gentle and not to leave marks.

What does research show?

A comparative study of facial roller and gua sha massage examined effects on facial contour, muscle tone and skin elasticity, and reported some improvements over the study period, though the study was small and short. Light facial massage may temporarily improve circulation and reduce puffiness, although good-quality studies are scarce. There is no strong evidence that massage changes collagen or removes wrinkles. Good wrinkle prevention comes from sun protection and treatments with proven evidence, such as retinoids.

Claim	What is known	Verdict
Reduces morning puffiness	Light massage may help drain fluid	Plausible, temporary
Improves circulation	Short-term flushing and warmth	True, temporary
Tones facial muscles	Small study showed modest change	Possible, limited evidence
Improves elasticity	Small study reported change	Limited evidence
Removes wrinkles	No good evidence	Not supported
Replaces sunscreen or retinoids	No	False

How can you use them safely?

Wash your hands and your tool. Apply a facial oil or serum so the tool glides. Use light pressure and slow strokes, moving from the centre of the face outwards and upwards, and do not drag the skin. Keep sessions to five to ten minutes. Avoid the eyes and do not press on the eyeball. Do not use on active acne, sunburn, broken skin or rashes. Clean the tool after each use with mild soap and water.

Clean hands and a clean tool
Use a light oil or serum for glide
Light pressure, slow strokes, outwards and upwards
Five to ten minutes at most
Skip it on active acne, sunburn and broken skin

What are the risks?

Pressing hard can cause bruising, broken capillaries and irritation. Dragging on dry skin pulls on thin skin and may add to lines. Oils used for glide can clog pores in acne-prone skin. Dirty tools can transfer bacteria. People with rosacea, easy bruising, blood-thinning medicines or skin infections should be especially careful. If you notice redness that persists, bruises, new bumps or pain, stop.

If you wish to use facial massage in a routine for oily or acne-prone skin, choose a light, non-comedogenic serum rather than heavy oils, and wash your face afterwards. Our guide on face oil for oily skin explains how to choose.

Concern	Risk	Prevention
Bruising	Pressing hard	Light pressure
Breakouts	Heavy oils, dirty tools	Light serum, clean tool
Irritation	Dragging dry skin	Use glide product
Infection	Shared or dirty tools	Clean after each use
Rosacea or easy bruising	Flares and marks	Avoid or ask a doctor
Active acne	Spreads bacteria	Skip

What actually helps wrinkles?

Daily sunscreen prevents most new lines, and a retinoid at night has the best topical evidence for softening existing ones; a network meta-analysis supports this. Moisturizers temporarily plump the skin, and not smoking helps. Massage can be a relaxing add-on, and relaxing the jaw and forehead may help tension, but it is not a wrinkle treatment. See anti-aging routine by age and skin firmness and sagging.

The Brightness & Anti-Aging Cream is a richer night cream; introduce it slowly after a patch test. Use any serum or cream you apply before massage on clean skin and patch tested.

When should you see a doctor?

See a doctor if you notice unexplained swelling, lumps, persistent redness or bruising, or if you have a skin condition and are unsure whether massage is safe. If you want to treat wrinkles, a dermatologist can discuss evidence-based options.

How do you choose a tool and technique?

Smooth, well-finished tools made of stone, metal or glass are common. Make sure edges are smooth and tools are easy to clean. Avoid porous materials that can harbour bacteria. For technique, use short, light strokes along the cheeks, jaw and forehead, always from the centre outwards, and avoid the eye area unless you use a tool made for it. A few sessions a week are plenty. If you want to learn a technique, choose a qualified therapist and avoid rough, forceful demonstrations on social media.

Whichever tool you use, keep it clean and dry it after use, and do not share it with others.

What about puffiness, tension and relaxation?

Many people enjoy gua sha because it relaxes facial tension, particularly around the jaw, and gives a short-term glow from improved blood flow. Reduced morning puffiness may come from gentle lymphatic movement. These effects are real but temporary, and they are good reasons to use massage if you enjoy it. Do not expect them to change wrinkles, which depend on sun damage, collagen and genetics. Our guide on puffy eyes in the morning explains how fluid affects the eye area.

What are common mistakes?

Pressing hard, using it on dry skin, using heavy oils on acne-prone skin, sharing tools, expecting wrinkle removal and treating gua sha as a substitute for sunscreen or retinoids are the usual ones. Another is doing it daily for long sessions, which does not add benefit and can irritate. Keep it short, gentle and enjoyable, and keep your expectations realistic.

If you enjoy gua sha or facial massage, use it as a pleasant five-minute ritual, not as a treatment. Pair it with sunscreen every morning and a gentle night routine, and your skin will benefit from the habits that matter most, whether or not the tool does anything for wrinkles.

Is it worth buying an expensive tool?

Not really. Price does not predict benefit, since the effects of massage come from gentle strokes, not from the stone. A smooth, easy-to-clean tool at any price works as well as a luxury one. If you enjoy the ritual, use what you have, such as the back of a clean spoon or your fingertips. Spend any extra money on sunscreen and a good moisturizer, which have clear benefits for skin.

Frequently asked questions

Does gua sha remove wrinkles?

There is no good evidence that it does. It may temporarily reduce puffiness and relax the face.

Does facial massage reduce puffiness?

Light massage may help fluid drain, giving a temporary effect.

Is gua sha safe?

Gentle use is generally safe. Pressing hard can bruise, and it should be avoided on active acne or broken skin.

How often should I use a facial roller?

A few times a week for a few minutes is plenty. More does not help.

Can gua sha cause breakouts?

Oils and dirty tools can. Use a light serum and clean the tool.

Do jade rollers work?

They may feel soothing and cool, but they do not change wrinkles.

Is it okay with rosacea?

Be cautious, since pressure and heat can trigger flares. Ask a doctor.

When should I see a dermatologist?

For unexplained swelling, bruising or if you want evidence-based wrinkle treatment.

Sources

Ahn SH et al.. Comparative Effects of Facial Roller and Gua Sha Massage on Facial Contour, Muscle Tone, and Skin Elasticity: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025. PubMed 40439289
Lin L et al.. Comparative efficacy of topical interventions for facial photoaging: a network meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2025. PubMed 40707570
Griffiths TW et al.. Skin ageing and topical rejuvenation strategies. Br J Dermatol. 2023. PubMed 37903073
Mukherjee S et al.. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. 2006. PubMed 18046911

A gentle reminder

Skincare helps the look and feel of your skin; it does not treat medical conditions. Patch test any new product behind the ear or on the inner arm first, and introduce one new active at a time. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have a skin condition such as eczema, ask your doctor before adding active ingredients. See our FAQ for more, or build your own routine.