Reviewed by Dr Nurul Aishah Jamaludin and Physician Vong U Chan

How to Achieve a Slim V-Shape Face with Natural Therapies

Published September 27, 2022| 6 min read

Is it possible to achieve V-shape face? See how TCM can help slim down your face and prevent puffiness and sagging skin.

A close-up photo of a beautiful Asian woman with a V-shape face, smiling

Beauty ideals are constantly evolving, revealing an interplay between time-tested traits and continuous influences from the surrounding environment. In Asia, the V-shape face has risen in popularity, thanks to idols and celebrities.

The V-shape face is very close to the heart-shape and oval-shape faces. Both these face shapes are characterised by a wider forehead and a narrower chin. The V-shape, on the other hand, has an emphasis on a v-line at the jaws and chin. So, what makes this shape so attractive?

Why the V-Shape Face is Considered Attractive

Although beauty ideals can change, looking youthful and feminine is high on the list when it comes to perceptions of attractiveness. Evolutionary scientists have found that an appealing female appearance is motivated by the primal need to successfully pass on genes. Signs of youth, fertility, and health in a woman are visually attractive.

The V-shape face looks youthful and pleasing with a slimmer, smaller face shape, making it a desirable feminine trait. Studies have shown that while women may find stronger, larger jawbones and more prominent cheekbones with thinner cheeks attractive in men, the opposite is true of what men find attractive in women.

The V-shape face of a middle-aged Asian woman, smiling and touching her face — A wider forehead and narrower chin and jaw that form a V-line are characteristics of a V-shape face.

But not everyone is born with a V-shape face. Short of resorting to cosmetic surgery to reshape the planes of your face, how else can you achieve this coveted look?

How to Achieve a V-Shape Face Using Natural Therapies

Though it’s almost impossible to attain the exact V-shape face without surgery, there are other ways to help slim the face, define the jaws, and firm and lift skin for that youthful look.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers several natural ways that can help slim the face and prevent puffiness and sagging skin. Eu Yan Sang TCM Physician Vong U Chan suggests facial acupuncture, gua sha, and bojin treatments to help you achieve a slender face.

All three methods work using the acupoints along the meridian channels, promoting qi (vital energy) and blood circulation. “This helps smooth clogged pathways, remove toxins, and enhance skin rejuvenation,” she explains.

All three methods can help you achieve a better complexion by increasing the luminosity and softness of skin. “They also help remove excess bloating and firm the skin, resulting in a visibly slimmer jawline and sharper chin.”

Below is Physician Vong’s advice to help you achieve a slim, V-shape face, refresh your skin and minimise wrinkles.

1. Acupuncture to help slim the face

In Singapore, acupuncture is one of the common TCM therapies used to slim down the face. It is done only by licensed TCM practitioners, says Physician Vong. “Facial acupuncture makes use of fine, thin needles to stimulate acupoints. The common acupoints used for facial acupuncture include yin tang (EX-HN 3, 印堂), yang bai (GB14, 阳白), tai yang (EX-HN5, 太阳), ying xiang (LI20, 迎香), di cang (ST4, 地仓), and jia che (ST6, 颊车).”

Yin tang — Stimulation of the Yin Tang acupoint can help manage the symptoms of social anxiety.

Located above the left eye, on the left side of the forehead.

TAI YANG — Tai yang (EX-HN5) is located in the region of the temples, in the depression about one finger-breadth posterior to the midpoint between the lateral end of the eyebrow and the outer canthus.

Located in the nasolabial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral part of the nasal wing.

Directly below the pupil lateral to the corner of the mouth.

One finger width anterior and superior to the angle of the lower jawbone at the belly of the cheek muscle with teeth clenched.

Acupuncture for cosmetic purposes is often performed on the head, face, and neck. Though there are different types of facial cosmetic acupuncture used, the goals are similar – to increase qi, balance internal organs, promote blood flow, and increase muscle tone. Restoring the resting facial muscle tone can help enhance elasticity. This can promote firmer skin for a more sculpted and slimmer-looking face shape.

2. Gua sha massage to help rejuvenate skin

Gua sha is a form of skin-scraping therapy that makes use of tools such as jade or stone scrapper or ox horn to massage the skin. No needles are involved in this facial massage.

“If you are doing gua sha on your own at home, you can either use a facial gua sha tool or your knuckles,” advises Physician Vong. “Use a lubricant, such as an essential oil or lotion. Apply gentle pressure to reduce tugging on your skin, which can otherwise cause more wrinkles. Massage in one direction.”

Since the skin on the face is thinner than the rest of the body, she advises using gentle pressure to prevent bruising. This method has also been shown to help with facial expression lines as well as improve skin texture.

A woman getting a gua sha facial massage at a salon — Using a *gua* *sha* tool on acupoints can help eliminate puffiness to slim down the face.

3. Bojin facial to relax skin and minimise wrinkles

“Bojin and gua sha are often related and used in tandem. After all, both techniques share similar TCM theories. However, bojin goes deeper into the muscle tissue and does not cause as much redness as gua sha,” clarifies Physician Vong.

Like gua sha, bojin is like a massage and uses similar tools. “A bojin facial focuses on massaging the acupoints on the face to clear blockages in the meridian channel,” she expounds.

She advises using the pointed ends of a massage tool to accurately locate acupressure points, stimulating deep into the muscle tissue to release tension. For example, the arc point of a tool can be used to massage around the eye area. The concave ends of your tool can help contour the face and jawline – promoting a more defined and slimmer face shape.

“These techniques release tension from the tense tendons and ligaments and clear blockages in the meridian channels on the face, which can otherwise cause wrinkles, muscle tension, and headaches.”

Can Weight Loss Help Slim Down Your Face?

“Whether weight loss affects face shape is also dependent on how much weight is lost,” answers Physician Vong. Extra fat in the face would naturally reflect excess body fat. Unfortunately, you can’t lose weight in one part of your body. If you want to shed fat from the face, there needs to be overall body fat loss.

Chinese medicinal herbs can be used to aid with weight loss and help improve your organs’ functions. “Herbs such as Chinese hawthorn (shan zha, 山楂) and barley sprout (mai ya, 麦芽) can improve digestion and reduce body fat,” suggests Physician Vong. “Poria (fu ling, 茯苓), Atractylodes (bai zhu, 白术), lotus leaf (he ye, 荷叶), and Astragalus (huang qi, 黄芪) help strengthen Spleen and remove excess Dampness.”

Though commonly used in weight loss, the recommended herbs aren’t always suitable for everyone, and you should see a professional TCM physician for your unique body constitution and syndrome.

In TCM philosophy, you can help your body’s ability to repair and rejuvenate itself by supporting the healthy functions of your internal organs, and helping your body maintain a state of balance. This holistic approach can not only help you slim down your face for a more V-shape silhouette, but it also improves your overall health and sense of well-being. Bookmark this article any time you feel like pampering yourself with a relaxing, youth-enhancing facial massage.