A Popular K-Beauty Trend Even Sooyoung Swears By—Experts Say It Could Backfire If Done Wrong

Girls’ Generation member Sooyoung (35) recently shared her morning routine on her YouTube channel, which has since garnered attention.

To reduce facial puffiness in the morning, Sooyoung revealed she uses a massage gun and a gua sha tool. But is this method truly effective—and safe? Experts weigh in.

Sooyoung said, “I love massages. I always keep a massage gun and gua sha tool in my bag.” She added that using the massage gun on her neck in the morning helps improve lymphatic flow and reduce swelling. As for the gua sha tool, she explained, “It’s great for relieving tension in the back of the neck and legs,” sharing her own personal de-puffing strategy.

Massaging to promote lymphatic drainage can certainly help reduce facial puffiness to a degree. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in removing waste from the body and supporting immunity. Since lymph nodes are concentrated around the neck, poor circulation in this area can lead to puffiness in the face or upper body. Gentle stimulation can aid this circulation and reduce swelling.

However, health experts caution that using a massage gun on the neck area should be approached with care. Massage guns are designed to target deep muscle tissue using vibration and percussion, typically for larger muscle groups like the thighs, back, and shoulders. The neck, on the other hand, is a structurally sensitive area, home to vital structures like the thyroid, carotid arteries, nerve bundles, and lymph nodes. Misuse of massage guns here can cause vascular injury, nerve compression, dizziness, and in rare cases, fainting.

In particular, experts warn against using massage guns on the front and sides of the neck—areas most vulnerable to harm. Misuse can not only be ineffective but also harmful, leading to pain or side effects. As a result, experts recommend using hands or non-vibrating manual tools instead for neck massage.

In this regard, the gua sha massage tool—also used by Sooyoung—offers a relatively safer option. Gua sha is a flat-edged tool made of stone, metal, or jade, used to gently scrape the skin and stimulate circulation without vibration. It is better suited for thin, sensitive areas like the face, neck, and collarbone.

To perform gua sha massage, you sweep the tool gently from under the jaw to behind the ear and down the sides of the neck toward the collarbone. This helps promote lymph flow and reduce facial puffiness. To minimize skin irritation, it's recommended to apply cream or oil beforehand and avoid applying too much pressure. If your skin becomes red, bruised, or stings, you should stop immediately.

Doing de-puffing massages at night can also be effective. It helps prevent fluid and waste buildup overnight, which can contribute to morning puffiness. Applying a warm compress for about five minutes before and after can help relax the muscles and enhance the results.

In conclusion, both massage guns and gua sha tools can help reduce facial puffiness, but their effectiveness and potential side effects depend on where and how they’re used. Sensitive areas like the neck are better suited for gentle manual massage or gua sha rather than high-intensity devices. Incorporating wellness habits like Sooyoung’s into your daily routine is commendable—but they must be done correctly and tailored to your body’s needs for the best results.

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