P. Sze 
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese technique known for its ability to promote circulation, release tension, and improve skin elasticity. If you’re struggling with a double chin, incorporating gua sha into your skincare routine can be a game-changer. In this tutorial, we’ll explore eight specific gua sha moves that target the area under your chin and along your jawline, helping you reduce the appearance of a double chin.
For these techniques, using a heart-shaped gua sha tool is highly recommended. The tool’s unique design, with its V-shaped curve, makes it perfect for fitting under the chin and along the jawline, allowing you to effectively sculpt and lift these areas. For those new to gua sha, you can check out our gua sha basic guide to get started.
1. Neck Prep Sweep
Before focusing on the double chin, it’s crucial to prepare your neck. This helps stimulate lymphatic drainage, which is key for reducing puffiness and fluid retention in the face.
- How to Do It: Hold your gua sha tool at a 15-degree angle to your skin. Starting at the base of your neck, gently sweep upward towards your jawline. Use light to medium pressure, and repeat this motion 5-10 times on each side.
- Why It’s Effective: Preparing the neck is essential for enhancing lymphatic drainage, which reduces fluid buildup in the face. This move ensures that any fluids or toxins released during the gua sha session have a clear path to drain away from your face, making the subsequent moves more effective.
“For beginners, ceramic, natural stone, or plastic materials are recommended. As for the shape, heart-shaped or wing-shaped designs with curves that are easy to hold are ideal.”
— Ms. Mai Sogawa, Senior TCM Therapist
2. Jawline Sculpting Stroke
This move is essential for defining the jawline and reducing the appearance of a double chin.
- How to Do It: Place the gua sha tool just below your ear, with the curved side hugging your jawline. Slowly glide the tool along your jawline towards the center of your chin. Apply medium pressure, and repeat this motion 5-7 times on each side.
- Why It’s Effective: This direction helps to sculpt and define the jawline by moving lymphatic fluid towards the center of the face, where it can be drained more effectively. This not only enhances the contours of your jawline but also reduces fluid retention that can contribute to a double chin.
3. Double Chin Targeting Sweep
To directly target the double chin area, this sweeping motion is a must in your routine.
- How to Do It: Hold the gua sha tool horizontally under your chin. Using the flat side, sweep the tool from the center of your chin towards your ear, following the contour of your jawline. Perform this move 7-10 times on each side to encourage lifting and toning.
- Why It’s Effective: This opposite direction is key for lifting and toning the skin under the chin. By sweeping from the chin towards the ear, you’re working against gravity, helping to firm up the area and reduce the appearance of sagging. This motion also stimulates circulation and promotes drainage of any built-up fluid along the jawline.
4. Chin-to-Ear Lift
This lifting technique not only helps with the double chin but also tightens the skin around your jaw and neck.
- How to Do It: Starting at the center of your chin, place the gua sha tool at a 15-degree angle. Sweep it upward along your jawline towards the area just below your ear. Apply medium pressure, and repeat this lift 5-8 times on each side.
- Why It’s Effective: The upward sweeping motion is critical for lifting the skin and muscles along your jawline. By moving from the chin to the area below the ear, you’re targeting the muscle structures that help to support the skin, which can reduce sagging and improve overall skin firmness.
- Differences from #3: While both techniques involve a similar motion from the chin to the ear, there are key differences. The Double Chin Targeting Sweep (#3) uses a flat, horizontal position of the tool and focuses directly under the chin, aiming to reduce sagging and lift the submental area. In contrast, the Chin-to-Ear Lift (#4) uses a 15-degree angle and targets the entire jawline, providing a lifting effect that enhances skin firmness and definition along both the jawline and neck.
5. Under-Chin V-Stroke
This move is specifically designed to sculpt the area directly under your chin, where fat often accumulates.
- How to Do It: Position the gua sha tool under your chin so that the V-shaped end is pointing upwards. Start at the center of your chin and divide the stroke into 2-3 sections as you sweep the tool outward towards the edge of your jawline, moving towards your ear. For each section, make a small upward stroke, then lift the tool and move to the next section until you reach the area just below your ear. Apply firm but comfortable pressure, and repeat this motion 7-10 times on each side.
- Why It’s Effective: Dividing the stroke into sections allows for more precise targeting of the area under the chin, ensuring that you can apply focused pressure where it’s most needed. This technique helps to break down fatty deposits and improve circulation, leading to a more sculpted and defined jawline.
6. Jawline Press and Release
This technique helps to break down tension and fat deposits, making it an effective move for double chin reduction.
- How to Do It: Hold the gua sha tool at a slight angle against your jawline, starting near the chin. Press and hold for a few seconds before releasing. Divide the distance between your chin and ear into 3-4 sections, and move the tool slightly with each press-and-release motion. Continue this method along your jawline, repeating 5-7 times on each side.
- Why It’s Effective: The press-and-release motion is particularly good for targeting areas of tension and fat accumulation along the jawline. By dividing the jawline into sections, you ensure that each area is effectively stimulated, which can reduce the appearance of a double chin over time.
7. Upward Neck Glide
Supporting the area below your jaw is crucial for overall effectiveness in reducing a double chin. This upward glide helps to firm and lift the neck area.
- How to Do It: Place the gua sha tool at the base of your neck. Gently glide it upwards towards your chin, using light to medium pressure. Focus on covering the entire neck area, and repeat this move 8-10 times on each side.
- Why It’s Effective: This move works to lift and tone the neck area, which supports the skin under your chin. By gliding the tool upward, you’re working against gravity to help firm the skin, reduce sagging, and enhance the overall contour of your neck and chin.
“In general, use gentle pressure similar to stroking. For the jawline, use the gentle curve of the gua sha tool, angled slightly against the skin. This ensures effective stimulation without causing irritation.”
— Ms. Mai Sogawa, Senior TCM Therapist
8. Chin Lift Massage
This final move combines the lifting and massaging of the chin to improve blood flow and encourage skin tightening.
- How to Do It: Start at the center of your chin with the gua sha tool held at an angle. Slowly massage the tool in small upward circles, moving from the chin along the jawline towards the area just below your ear. Focus on maintaining a firm, consistent pressure as you move along your jawline. Repeat this circular motion 5-7 times on each side, ensuring you cover the entire area under your chin.
- Why It’s Effective: The circular motion used in this technique stimulates blood flow and promotes lymphatic drainage, both of which are essential for reducing the appearance of a double chin. The upward direction, moving towards the area below the ear, ensures that the skin is being lifted and tightened, contributing to a more defined jawline.
