Do Jawline Exercises & Massage Tools Work? Science on Sculpting for Men & Women

By Massage Therapy Calgary Team | November 13, 2025

TL;DR

Face rollers & short massage: No high-quality evidence that these produce meaningful, lasting muscle growth or sharper jawline; small transient contour/soft-tissue changes (lymphatic/skin) are reported — effects similar to gentle lymphatic drainage and temporary skin-tone changes. (PMC)
Targeted masticatory loading: Intensive chewing/jaw exercise programs can increase masseter thickness and bite force modestly in some trials — functional gains clearer than visible cosmetic change. (PubMed)
EMS devices: Small studies show short-term activation or MRI changes; long-term hypertrophy evidence is preliminary. (Jart)
Botulinum toxin: Robust evidence shows reducing muscle activity decreases masseter size — a useful counterpoint demonstrating the muscle's adaptability requires strong neuromuscular interventions. (Nature)

What recent studies actually did and found (key studies)

Gum-chewing / masticatory training — randomized trial

Jung et al. (J Oral Rehabil, 2024) tested a gum-chewing training program and measured occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness and mandibular shape. The intervention increased bite force and showed measurable changes in masseter thickness vs controls. Effect sizes were modest and functional gains (bite force) were clearer than bold cosmetic claims.

Ultrasonography studies of masseter thickness

Ultrasound research (e.g., Lee et al., Sci Rep 2024) demonstrates masseter thickness responds to activity and is measurable with careful protocols. These are important methods papers but confirm natural variability and the need for careful study design. (Nature / Sci Rep)

EMS / facial exercise devices

Small studies (Nakaya et al., 2022–2024 and similar) using electrical stimulation or facial devices measured MRI/ultrasound before and after sessions. Some reported immediate changes in signal or volume, but sample sizes are limited and long-term hypertrophy was not convincingly demonstrated. (Jart)

Manual massage, rollers and gua-sha — RCT (2025)

A randomized comparative trial over 8 weeks found modest soft-tissue and skin-mechanics changes with rollers and gua-sha, likely from lymphatic/fluid shifts and skin tone changes rather than true muscle hypertrophy. These short-term contour effects resemble what we discuss in our lymphatic drainage massage article and are often cosmetic rather than structural. (PMC)

Exercise protocols for TMD / bruxism

Therapeutic jaw-exercise trials (2022–2025) report improved pain and sometimes measurable muscle property changes (tone/elasticity) — these are clinical outcomes and show exercises alter function even if cosmetic hypertrophy data are limited. (ScienceDirect / Nature)

Botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) studies

Controlled studies consistently show BoNT-A reduces masseter thickness and volume over weeks/months — a strong demonstration that the masseter adapts, but it also highlights that significant size changes require strong neuromuscular interventions. (Nature)

Overall interpretation

Short answer: No convincing evidence that face rollers or short manual jaw massages produce meaningful, lasting increases in jaw muscle size or true muscular definition. The best trials show small, transient soft-tissue/skin/lymphatic effects or modest functional increases only where the intervention imposes real activity/load (e.g., sustained chewing training). For true hypertrophy, consistent, forceful, repetitive loading is required.

Strength of evidence & important caveats

Moderate-quality evidence: Targeted masticatory exercise or heavy chewing increases bite force and can increase measured masseter thickness short-term; sample sizes remain small. (PubMed)
Low evidence: Brief manual massage or rollers produce transient contour/skin effects, not reliable hypertrophy. (PMC)
High-quality evidence: BoNT-A decreases masseter size — showing the muscle is adaptable but that strong neuromuscular interventions are needed to alter bulk. (Nature)

Practical takeaways

If your goal is functional strength (bite force) or measured masseter thickness: structured progressive masticatory training (supervised chewing/resistance protocols) has the best direct evidence — expect modest changes over weeks to months. (PubMed)
If your goal is cosmetic jawline definition: do not rely on rollers or light massage alone — they help with skin tone and puffiness (temporary) but not reliable hypertrophy. For short-term smoothing or to improve post-treatment skin feel, pair gentle techniques with the right carrier oil (see our guide to massage oils). (PMC)
EMS devices: Mechanistically promising but human trials are small; may be more effective when combined with strong loading programs. (Jart)
Beware marketing: Prefer studies measuring cross-sectional area or thickness by ultrasound/MRI and randomized/controlled designs over anecdotal photos.

Short, evidence-based recommendation

If you want to try to increase jaw muscle size safely and with the best chance of measurable change, do a supervised progressive chewing/resistance program (and consider baseline and follow-up ultrasound or bite-force testing). If you're preparing for a therapeutic or supervised program, our preparation guide explains steps that can improve comfort and tracking. For a temporary sharpened look, gua-sha or rollers can help with fluid/skin tone but expect short-lived results.

Key papers / places to read next

Feel free to visit our: Homepage, if you would like to book an appointment for massage in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Short answer: rollers and short, manual jawmassage sessions mainly change soft tissues, fluid distribution and skin tone temporarily. Meaningful, lasting muscle growth requires sustained, forceful loading of the masticatory muscles — something light rolling doesn’t provide.