Do face rollers really work like natural Botox®?

In Het Nieuwsblad's 'Werkt dat wel?' ('Does it actually work?') column, Dr Griet Voet and a fellow dermatologist look at the claims about face rollers and gua sha. Dr Voet outlines the origins of gua sha as a traditional East Asian technique and explains that the material above all needs to be smooth; jade is not a requirement.

Apply a serum, oil or cream beforehand so that the massage is gentler on the skin. A session of a few minutes can already have a positive effect on circulation and swelling. Dr Voet sees it mainly as relaxing self-care. The comparison with Botox® does not hold: the effect is temporary and offers no lasting solution for wrinkles or sagging.

• Apply serum, oil or cream first before you start rolling.

• Don't press too hard, or the skin may become irritated.

• See a face roller as relaxation, not as a wrinkle treatment.