Can facial massage improve your jawline? A 2025 trial measured it

The study

Researchers in Korea recruited 34 women aged 20 to 50 and randomly split them into two groups. Both groups massaged their face with facial oil for 10 minutes, five times a week, for eight weeks. One group used a facial roller and the other used a gua sha stone. Nobody changed their usual skincare, so the difference came from the massage alone.

Researchers measured:

• facial contour, using 3D scanning;
• skin elasticity, using a Cutometer;
• muscle tone and stiffness, using a MyotonPRO.

The results

• Both groups showed a significant improvement in facial contour (p < 0.001).
• The roller group improved gross skin elasticity by 8.6% and biological elasticity by 7.5%.
• The gua sha group showed a stronger reduction in muscle tone, so tense facial muscles became more relaxed.

The main driver was the same in both groups: regular, directional pressure on the face, practiced consistently for eight weeks.

Why the jaw responds to regular work

Two things shape how the lower face looks:

1. Muscle support. In a 2018 study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, eight weeks of facial resistance exercise significantly increased the cross-sectional area of the main cheek muscle on ultrasound, and participants reported more satisfaction with jawline sagging. Stronger muscles mean more support.
2. Held tension. A clenched jaw and a tight neck pull the lower face down and make it look heavier. Releasing that tension is part of the contour work, as our jaw tension guide explains.

A 2025 face-yoga trial in Medicina found both effects at once: the muscles under the chin became firmer, while the tense expression muscles relaxed.

A 3-minute contour flow to try today

Apply a few drops of facial oil so your fingers glide. Use your knuckles or flat fingers; tools are optional.

1. Jawline glide (1 min). Make a "V" with your index and middle fingers around your jaw. Glide from your chin to just below your ears with firm but comfortable pressure, 8–10 times per side.
2. Cheek sweep (1 min). With flat fingers, sweep from beside your nose outward and slightly up toward your temples.
3. Neck finish (1 min). Stroke from behind your ears down the sides of your neck to your collarbones. This helps the face feel lighter.

Be realistic, and be consistent

This was a small study, and results vary from person to person. Massage won't replace medical procedures, and it won't change bone structure. It is still one of the few at-home approaches with measured, peer-reviewed results for contour and skin elasticity. And it takes just 10 minutes.

Face yoga and massage are wellness practices, not medical treatment. Results and experiences vary.