Gua Sha Before and After: Real Results and Realistic Timelines (6-Week Journey)
Let's be honest: we've all seen those dramatic gua sha before and after photos on social media where someone's face looks completely transformed in just one session. The lighting is perfect, the angle is slightly different, and you're left wondering if gua sha is actually that magical, or if you're being sold a fantasy.
As a licensed holistic aesthetician with 13 years of experience using gua sha both in my treatment room and in my own daily routine, I want to show you what real, consistent gua sha practice actually looks like. Not filtered, not perfectly lit, and not the result of one miraculous session, but six weeks of showing up for myself almost every day.
Because here's the truth: gua sha does work. But it works the way most worthwhile things work, through consistency, patience, and understanding what realistic results actually look like.
My 6-Week Gua Sha Journey: The Real Before and After
I decided to document my own gua sha practice over six weeks, with no makeup and the same neutral expression. No tricks, no filters just honest documentation of what happens when you commit to this practice.
My starting point (Week 0): I wasn't starting from scratch with gua sha, I've been practicing on and off for years. But I had fallen out of my consistent routine and noticed my face felt puffier in the mornings, my jawline looked less defined, and I was carrying more visible tension around my eyes and forehead. I'm in my late 40s, so I'm also navigating those early signs of aging that come with the territory along with perimenopause symptoms.
My commitment: I practiced gua sha 5-6 days per week, for about 5-10 minutes each session. I used my gua sha stone with my Glow Elixir facial oil (the same combination I recommend to clients). My routine focused on lymphatic drainage, facial sculpting along the jawline and cheekbones, and releasing tension in my forehead and around my eyes.
The results after 6 weeks:
What I noticed visually:
More defined jawline: The subtle jowling I was starting to see has lifted noticeably
Higher, more sculpted cheekbones: Not dramatically different, but definitely more definition
Less puffiness overall: Especially under my eyes and in my lower face
More "glow": My skin looks brighter and more radiant, partly from the increased circulation, partly from the oil massage nourishing my skin
Softer fine lines: Particularly around my eyes where I tend to hold tension
What I noticed that doesn't show in photos:
My face feels lighter, especially in the morning
Sinus congestion improved significantly
Jaw tension from stress and computer work releases faster
My skin texture is smoother and more plump
I sleep better on nights when I do evening gua sha
The Realistic Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week
If you're starting a gua sha practice, here's what realistic progress typically looks like. Remember, everyone's face and lymphatic system are different, so your timeline might vary.
Week 1: Immediate but temporary changes
You'll likely notice an immediate glow and slight de-puffing right after each session. Your face might look slightly more sculpted or lifted for a few hours. This is real, you've just moved lymphatic fluid and increased circulation. But it's temporary. Don't expect these results to last all day yet, and don't expect dramatic changes by the end of week one.
What you're building: muscle memory (yours and your face's), lymphatic pathway activation, and the habit itself.
Weeks 2-3: Consistency starts to compound
This is where you might start noticing that the morning puffiness doesn't come back as intensely. Your skin might look brighter overall, not just right after gua sha. If you're dealing with sinus congestion or jaw tension, you'll probably notice improvement here.
The changes are still subtle. If you're taking photos, and I encourage you to document your journey- you might not see a huge difference yet. But your face will start to feel different, lighter, less "heavy."
Weeks 4-5: Visible changes emerge
This is typically when other people might start asking if you've done something different. Your jawline looks more defined, your cheekbones are more prominent, puffiness is noticeably reduced. Fine lines from fluid retention (especially under eyes) often soften.
If you've been dealing with chronic facial tension or TMJ issues, the cumulative release of tight muscles becomes more obvious. Your face might look more relaxed and open.
Week 6 and beyond: Results stabilize and deepen
By six weeks of consistent practice, you've established new lymphatic drainage patterns and your facial muscles have responded to the regular massage. The results become your new baseline rather than something you have to "achieve" each session.
This is also when you'll notice that if you skip a few days, your face doesn't immediately revert back to how it looked before you started. The changes have staying power.
What Gua Sha Can and Can't Do: Setting Realistic Expectations
Let's talk about what's actually possible with gua sha, because managing expectations is crucial to not feeling disappointed.
What gua sha CAN do:
Reduce puffiness and fluid retention by supporting lymphatic drainage
Lift and define facial contours by releasing tight muscles that pull everything down
Improve circulation for brighter, more radiant skin
Soften fine lines caused by fluid retention and muscle tension
Provide a gentle, cumulative lifting effect similar to regular facial massage
Help products absorb better and nourish skin more deeply
Release chronic tension in jaw, temples, and forehead
Create a more sculpted appearance by reducing inflammation
What gua sha CANNOT do:
Erase deep wrinkles or permanently reverse significant sun damage (I still deal with my melasma even though it helps some for sure)
Replace medical treatments like Botox or fillers (though it can complement them)
Work miracles in one session with permanent results
Change your bone structure or facial proportions
Fix severe skin issues that require dermatological treatment
Substitute for a healthy lifestyle, good sleep, and proper skincare
Think of gua sha like going to the gym for your face. One workout won't transform your body, but consistent practice over weeks and months creates real, visible change. It's a maintenance practice, not a one-time fix.
Why Consistency Matters More Than Intensity
Here's something I learned both through my own practice and working with hundreds of clients: showing up for 5 minutes six days a week will give you better results than doing an intense 30-minute session once a week.
Why? Because your lymphatic system responds to regular, gentle encouragement. It's not about aggressive manipulation rather it's about creating new drainage patterns through repetition. Your muscles release better with frequent gentle work than occasional deep pressure.
This is actually good news because it means you don't need to carve out huge chunks of time. Five minutes in the morning or before bed, done consistently, is enough.
The Role of Facial Oil in Your Results
I need to be honest about something: gua sha technique matters, but so does what you're using with your stone. You absolutely cannot do gua sha on dry skin. You'll drag and pull, which can cause irritation and even broken capillaries.
But beyond just providing "slip," the right facial oil enhances your results significantly. During those 5-10 minutes of massage, you're pressing oil deep into your skin, feeding it nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration. The combination of massage plus nourishment creates that visible glow and plumpness.
I formulated my Glow Elixir specifically for this purpose. It's designed to be the perfect gua sha companion with ingredients like jojoba (which mimics skin's natural sebum), rosehip oil for cell regeneration, and calendula for calming inflammation. The lightweight texture glides beautifully without feeling greasy.
Whatever oil you choose, make sure it's pure, high-quality, and appropriate for facial use. This isn't the place to use coconut oil or random carrier oils that might clog pores.
Common Mistakes That Slow Your Results
After years of teaching gua sha, I've seen these mistakes hold people back from getting the results they want:
Inconsistent practice: Doing it three times one week, then not at all the next two weeks. Your lymphatic system and muscles need regular stimulation.
Too much pressure: Pressing so hard you're bruising or causing pain. This triggers inflammation rather than reducing it, and you're working against yourself.
Wrong direction: Randomly scraping without understanding lymphatic flow. You want to move fluid toward your lymph nodes (down the neck, out toward ears), not pushing it around randomly.
Skipping the neck: Your neck is where all facial lymph drains. If you skip neck prep and finish strokes, you're creating a traffic jam. Always start and end at the neck.
Using the wrong tool: Not all gua sha stones are created equal. You want smooth edges, the right thickness, and proper curves for facial contours. Cheap tools can irritate the irritate skin. It’s worth investing in a quality stone.
Not using enough oil: If you feel any dragging or pulling, you need more oil. Period.
Expecting overnight miracles: This is a practice, not a procedure. Give it time.
How to Start Your Own Gua Sha Journey
If you're inspired to try gua sha for yourself, here's how to set yourself up for success:
Start with the right tools. You need a quality gua sha stone and a nourishing facial oil. Our Glow & Lift Kit includes both, a professional-grade stone and our Glow Elixir oil, which is exactly what I used for my 6-week journey.
Learn proper technique. Good tools won't give you results if you don't know how to use them. I created a free 5-Day Gua Sha Challenge specifically to teach the fundamentals, proper pressure, correct directions, full-face routine, and how to target specific concerns. You'll get daily video tutorials delivered to your inbox so you can practice along with me.
Commit to consistency. Pick a time that works for your schedule. Morning if you deal with puffiness, evening if you want a relaxing wind-down ritual. Set a realistic goal like 5 days a week for 6 weeks, and track your practice.
Take before photos. Trust me on this. You see your face every day, so changes happen gradually and you might not notice them. Take photos in the same lighting, same angle, no makeup. Compare after 4-6 weeks.
Be patient with yourself. Some days you'll do 10 minutes, some days just 3. That's okay. What matters is showing up consistently, not being perfect.
Final Thoughts: The Real Magic of Gua Sha
After my 6-week journey, here's what I believe about gua sha: the real transformation isn't just what shows up in before and after photos. It's the ritual itself, those few minutes each day when you slow down, touch your own face with intention, and care for yourself.
Yes, the physical results are real and visible. My jawline is more defined, my face is less puffy, and my skin genuinely glows more. But the deeper benefit is that I feel more connected to my face, more aware of where I hold tension, and more committed to caring for myself daily.
Gua sha won't replace good sleep, stress management, or a healthy lifestyle. But it's a beautiful practice that supports all of those things while giving you tangible, visible results along the way.
If you're willing to show up consistently for six weeks, I believe you'll be genuinely surprised by what's possible.
Ready to Start Your Own Gua Sha Journey?
New to gua sha? Join our free 5-Day Gua Sha Challenge where I'll teach you everything you need to know, proper technique, full-face routine, and how to target your specific concerns. You'll get daily video tutorials and practice routines delivered straight to your inbox.
Ready to get started today? Our Glow & Lift Kit includes everything you need: a professional-grade gua sha stone and our nourishing Glow Elixir facial oil, the exact tools I used for my 6-week transformation.
Glow & Lift Kit