Are You Using Your Gua Sha Correctly?

Spotted a video of someone rubbing a stone all over their face recently? Then you’ve already stumbled across gua sha, the wellness trend derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices that promises to improve skin and muscle health. But how does it actually work? A TCM expert explains all.

What Is Gua Sha?

Inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare tools, the modern gua sha is a smooth stone used for facial massage. ‘Gua sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique that has been practised for thousands of years,’ explains Charlotte Yau, founder of TCM inspired wellness brand, Muihood. ‘It involves using a smooth-edged tool to scrape the skin, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, relieving muscle tension and improving skin health.

‘In Chinese, “gua” means to scrape or rub, while “sha” refers to the reddish petechiae (small, pinpoint bruises) that appear on the skin after treatment,’ she adds. ‘This redness is believed to stimulate circulation, giving the body’s systems a “kick” to enhance blood flow.

‘During the process, the white blood cell count increases, boosting immunity, activating detoxification, and triggering neural signals that promote relaxation and the release of stress and tension. For this reason, Gua Sha has traditionally been used to treat various health conditions, including chronic pain, respiratory issues and digestive disorders.’

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What Are The Benefits?

‘By gently gliding the gua sha tool across the skin, it enhances blood circulation and relieves muscle tension, leading to a more lifted and toned appearance,’ explains Charlotte. ‘Over time, this technique can help reduce wrinkles, promote collagen production and create a healthy glow.’

Some of the other benefits of the wellness trend include:

• Reducing Inflammation: Gua sha can help reduce inflammation in the body by increasing circulation and stimulating the immune system.
• Relieving Muscle Tension: It can release tension in the muscles, reducing pain and discomfort.
• Improving Skin Health: Gua sha can improve the health of your skin by increasing circulation and stimulating the production of collagen. It can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Boosting Immune System: Gua sha can stimulate the immune system, helping to fight off infections and illnesses.
• Reducing Stress: It can promote relaxation and improve circulation, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

What About Lymphatic Drainage?

One specific benefit linked to gua sha is lymphatic drainage, a massage that can ease the swelling that occurs with a blocked lymphatic system. ‘By using Gua Sha regularly you will be able to improve circulation, reduce puffiness and stimulate lymphatic drainage,’ emphasises Charlotte.

For more tips on lymphatic drainage at home, see our guide here.

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How To Use It (& What To Use)

While there are many different techniques when it comes to gua sha, Charlotte tells us that ‘traditionally, a smooth-edged tool made from jade, bone or other materials is used to scrape the skin gently. The tool is moved in a downward motion with the aim of creating petechiae on the skin. Different areas of the body require different techniques, and a trained practitioner can tailor the treatment to suit individual needs.’

These tools span stones, rollers and sculpting spoons – and, as Charlotte mentioned, can be made from materials like jade, rose quartz, bian or amethyst stones. The wellness expert recommends using Muihood’s Jade Gua Sha Sculpting Spoon, which she says is ‘great for precision work like cheek sculpting, draining puffiness, jaw release and sinus congestion. It has been designed to fit precisely with every facial contour to perform both a stimulating and relaxing massage across the face, neck, jawline and décollete whilst sitting comfortably in the hand.’

Where To Use Your Gua Sha

‘In TCM, the entire body’s channel system is considered when performing Gua Sha,’ explains Charlotte. ‘There are 12 major channels, each representing an organ, running through the body. A TCM practitioner or individual can work on specific acupressure points throughout the body to address symptoms or illnesses.’

This means that the tool can be used on several parts of the body, including the face (the most popular area), neck, back, shoulders, arms, buttocks and legs.

When To Use Your Gua Sha

‘For visible results, perform Gua Sha on the face at least two to three times a week,’ advises Charlotte. ‘Regular practice enhances circulation and lymphatic drainage, supporting overall skin health.’

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Gus Sha For Beginners: Face & Neck

‘The great thing about facial Gua Sha is that you can tailor it to your specific needs – whether that be tension, sinus release, or relieving stress,’ highlights Charlotte. ‘But we’ll be starting with a beginner, basic routine to get you familiar with the tool.’

Below, she lays out the steps for an at-home gua sha routine:

1. To freshly cleansed skin, apply your chosen facial oil all over your face and neck. I would recommend warming your tool up before applying, unless you’re looking for the cool feeling to relieve puffy under eyes.
2. Starting from the chin, use the side of your gua sha tool to glide along the jawline until the tool reaches the ear. Make sure to apply a little pressure (but not too much) and repeat this motion five times.
3. Put the corner of the tool at the side of the nose gliding upwards and backwards until the tool reaches the temple. Repeat this five times.
4. Then you’re going to place the corner of the tool at the inner corner of the eye and use the side of the tool on the cheek, glide under the eye then upward and backward until the corner of the tool reaches the temple. Repeat this five times.
5. Repeat steps two to four on the other side of your face.
6. Place the side of the gua sha tool along your eyebrows, glide the tool upwards until it touches the hairline. Repeat this five times.
7. Finally, place the side of the gua sha tool under the ear and glide it downward along the side of the neck. Repeat five times on each side.

More Expert Tips

As Charlotte mentioned, it’s recommended you don’t perform gua sha on dry skin. ‘Always use a non-comedogenic oil or serum to give slip to the gua sha tool so that you don’t pull on the skin,’ she says. ‘Gua sha also helps the product to be absorbed, so using the technique alongside your favourite skincare is recommended. If you find yourself tugging at your skin, just add a little more oil.’

The wellness expert also tells us that it should never hurt. ‘Gua sha should not hurt or cause bruising; it should feel relaxing with a comfortable amount of pressure,’ she says. ‘Don’t use it on open wounds, and never drag the tool down the face. Make sure to find a gua sha tool that you find is easy to work with and feels nice on your skin.’

Featured image: Katrin Bolotsova, Pexels