How to fix facial asymmetry from sleeping on side

If you were on the asymmetrical side of the Tik Tok Symmetrical Face Trend, you may have found yourself Googling ‘How to fix asymmetrical face naturally’ or ‘Can you fix asymmetrical face without surgery?’ I found that Korea was the perfect place to seek these answers. Why? Because it’s the capital of all things beauty and plastic surgery!

Facial Asymmetry

Everyone’s face is slightly asymmetrical, believe it or not. But some faces are more noticeable than others. Yes, sometimes it can be all in your head. Or photos and videos can exaggerate asymmetries that the natural eye won’t pick up on as much in real life. (This may be just one reason why K-pop celebrities get plastic surgery to fix the smallest of things—they have to look perfect on camera.)

Causes of Asymmetrical Face

The most common causes of facial asymmetry are genetics, aging, and lifestyle. Certain lifestyle habits like the ones below can all contribute to facial asymmetry:

• Crossing one leg more than the other
• Poor posture
• Sleeping on one side more
• Carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder more
• Chewing on one side more than the other
• Standing or leaning on one leg more than the other
• Any action where you continually use one side of the body more than the other

What You Can Do At Home To Fix An Asymmetrical Face Without Surgery

The Youtube channel HisDream offers a bunch of helpful at-home exercises to fix an asymmetrical face without surgery. There’s even different videos for different facial features. Many commenters are saying that they tried the exercises at home and that they actually work!

You could also use a gua sha at home to relieve tension in the tight areas. These areas are often related to the asymmetrical side of your face as explained in the videos. You can do these home exercises and use a gua sha to relieve tension in your neck and face area. 

The Athings OI Hand Calm Gua Sha is a great option as it’s specially designed to be used on not just your face, but your body as well. Unlike a traditional gua sha, the Athings OI Hand Calm Gua Sha applies minimal strain on the hands when in use. Plus, it can’t accidentally break!

Switching to a balanced lifestyle can also aid in fixing an asymmetrical face. You might be tempted to correct your facial asymmetry by suddenly using the other side of your body more. For example, crossing the other leg more to “even things out.” But Dr. Lee of UN Oriental Medical Clinic—who is treating my facial asymmetry with Korean traditional medicine—advises against this. He says to use both sides of your body equally. This means sleeping on your back, not crossing your legs, chewing food evenly, and so on.

Korean Treatments To Fix Asymmetrical Face Without Surgery

In Korea, there are spas and Traditional Korean Medicine Clinics (haniwons) that offer special face massages and treatments that can change your face shape and make your face more symmetrical.

The high-end spas are full of A-listers and celebrities who seek to get a more symmetrical face without plastic surgery. These acupressure massages focus on pressure points, energy pathways, and relieving tension in the body.

Acupressure massages differ from regular massages because they focus on the muscles and bones in the body and face that have shifted due to a poor lifestyle. As a result, the face is realigned to be more symmetrical. This is based on the holistic principle that everything is connected and the body’s condition is all reflected in the face.

Another difference is that it HURTS. A LOT. This is not your typical self-care, feel good massage. It’s also quite expensive and requires at least 10 sessions to see results.

I Visited A Haniwon To Fix Asymmetrical Face Without Surgery

Another option is to visit a haniwon that specializes in facial asymmetry. I was fortunate to meet Dr. Lee Sung-hun, an English speaking Traditional Korean Medicine doctor who runs the haniwon UN Oriental Medical Clinic in Seoul. 

Dr. Lee specified that facial asymmetry is usually caused by some asymmetry in the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). This is often caused by chewing more on one side, resting your hand on one side of the face, or other jaw-related imbalances. Even a poor posture or poor lifestyle habits, as mentioned earlier, can affect the TMJ which leads to facial asymmetry.

Fix Asymmetrical Face With Chuna & Acupuncture

Dr. Lee uses a treatment therapy called Chuna—a traditional Korean chiropractic treatment that means “push and pull.” Chuna focuses on pushing and pulling on bones and muscles to realign them to be more balanced and in their correct positions. It improves facial asymmetry as a result since bones are connected to muscles and tendons which affect the structure and appearance of facial features.

He also offers cosmetic acupuncture to stimulate the body’s energy pathway systems and the muscles in the face. It helps to relax and improve elasticity of the muscles, and rejuvenate the skin, which can help with facial asymmetry. However, he notes that “cosmetic acupuncture seeks to bring the overall balance to the body,” and this holistic viewpoint is the key point within the traditional Korean medicinal approach to facial asymmetry.

Chuna & Acupuncture: My Results

I opted to get Chuna treatment on my face/neck/shoulders and acupuncture on my neck/shoulder area to address my facial asymmetry. I’m still too scared to have 100 acupuncture needles in my face area, but I am seriously considering it in the near future.

After a few sessions, my face looked more….balanced and healthier! I can’t say that it 100% completely fixed my facial asymmetry—yet. However, I have hope for the remainder of my treatment (at least 10 sessions), and having a more balanced and healthy face is still a win!

Natural facial asymmetry is normal and even desirable according to research. But, our skin loses elasticity as we age, our jawline can shift with continued muscle use, and we engage in poor lifestyle habits which all contribute to facial asymmetry. So, you can’t expect to “fix” an asymmetrical face without surgery if you continue to engage in poor lifestyle habits. But in the long run, you can make your face more symmetrical with improved lifestyle habits and with the aid of these traditional Korean treatment options that help realign your face.