P. Sze 
If you’re looking for a natural way to boost your lip size, definition, and smoothness without chemicals or fillers, gua sha can be a game-changer. This traditional Chinese medicine technique promotes circulation and reduces tension, which helps enhance the volume, shape, and smoothness of your lips. By incorporating simple, consistent gua sha routines, you can get fuller, more youthful lips over time. For more details on gua sha techniques, check out our basic gua sha guide.
Here are five essential gua sha techniques to help you achieve naturally fuller and more defined lips.
1. Prep Your Lips with Hydration and Oil
Before starting any gua sha technique, it’s important to properly prep your lips. Hydration ensures the tool glides smoothly and prevents irritation.
- Step 1: Apply a hydrating lip balm or natural oil like coconut, jojoba, or almond oil to your lips and the surrounding area.
- Step 2: Gently massage the oil into your lips. This not only makes the gua sha process more effective but also nourishes your lips for added softness.
“To address wrinkles around the mouth, focus on releasing the levator labii superioris muscle, located between the side of the nose and the inner corner of the eye. Use small, vibrating motions with the gua sha to release tension. Glide the tool around the mouth to release tension in the surrounding muscles,” advises Ms. Mai Sogawa, a senior TCM therapist.
2. Use Upward and Downward Strokes to Plump Your Lips
This first stroke focuses on enhancing the volume of your lips by increasing blood flow. You’ll use different directions for the upper and lower lips to match their natural shapes. This stroke is applied directly on the lip itself to help plump the middle portion of your lips.
- Step 1: For the upper lip, start at the center of the cupid’s bow. Using the curved edge of your gua sha tool, glide upward and outward toward the corners of your mouth. This movement helps to plump and lift the lips. Repeat this stroke 5–10 times on each side.
- Step 2: For the lower lip, begin at the center and glide the tool downward and outward toward the corners, following the lip’s natural curve. This enhances the fullness of the lower lip. Repeat 5–10 times on both sides.
- Tip: These strokes are applied directly on the lips (not around them) and focus on plumping the central part of your lips by stimulating circulation.
3. Trace the Outer Lip Border for Definition
After plumping the lips, it’s time to define their shape. This stroke focuses on the outer edges of your lips, giving them a more sculpted and defined look.
- Step 1: Using the same tool, start at the center of the upper lip and glide it along the outer edge of the lip, following the natural curve to the corners.
- Step 2: Do the same for the lower lip, starting from the center and tracing the lip’s border outward.
- Step 3: Repeat 5–7 times on both the top and bottom lips. This technique enhances the definition of your lip shape, creating a sharper, more contoured look.
- Tip: Unlike the plumping strokes in Steps 1 and 2, this stroke is focused on tracing the outer borders, not the middle of your lips.
4. Stimulate Blood Flow with Circular Movements
Improving circulation is key to making your lips look naturally plumper. This circular massage with your gua sha tool is performed directly on the lips to bring more blood flow to the area, providing a temporary but noticeable increase in volume and color.
- Step 1: Place the gua sha tool at the center of your lower lip.
- Step 2: Use gentle, circular motions to massage the lip, moving outward toward the corners.
- Step 3: Repeat this process on the upper lip. Perform this circular massage for 1–2 minutes on each lip to encourage blood flow and add natural volume.
- Tip: Focus the circular motions on the lip surface itself to maximize the plumping effect.
5. Lift the Corners of Your Mouth for a Youthful Look
One common concern is the sagging or drooping at the corners of the mouth, which can make lips look thinner or downturned. This gua sha technique helps lift the corners for a more youthful, fuller look.
- Step 1: Place the curved edge of the gua sha tool just below the corner of your mouth.
- Step 2: Gently glide the tool upward, in the direction of your cheekbones, to “lift” the corners of your mouth.
- Step 3: Repeat this motion 5–7 times on both sides of your mouth. This lifting technique creates a subtle enhancement that gives your lips a lifted, fuller appearance.
“After a gua sha session, follow your usual skincare routine with an emphasis on proper hydration. Drinking water afterward is also crucial to flush out the waste removed during the massage,” Ms. Mai Sogawa advises.
Bonus Tips for Boosting Lip Size Naturally
- Consistency is key: For the best results, practice these gua sha techniques 3–5 times per week. Over time, the increased circulation and muscle relaxation will lead to naturally plumper lips.
- Use gentle pressure: Always use light pressure when working with a gua sha tool. Pressing too hard can irritate the skin and won’t improve results.
- Stay hydrated: Hydration plays a major role in keeping your lips healthy and plump. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day to maintain soft, full lips.
By combining these five gua sha techniques, you’ll not only plump and define your lips but also smooth out fine lines around the mouth, giving you a youthful, enhanced appearance without the need for fillers or chemicals. With regular practice, your lips will look naturally fuller, more defined, and healthier.
