Look at any social post and you may come across someone promoting the skincare miracle of Gua Sha. Forms of traditional Chinese medicine have long been in everyone’s hands — and for good reason. Promising to increase circulation, de-puff, and tighten skin, it’s no wonder everyone is excited about using this tool.
But as simple as it might seem in a 30-second TikTok video, the history, benefits, and skills required to get the most out of facial tools require more explanation, which is why we reached out to four skincare experts: YINA, Dr. Ervina Wu, and Pink Moon CEO and co-founders Angela Chau Gray, Lin Chen, and celebrity beautician and dermatology nurse Natalie Aguilar have the answer to all scrapes. From how to use Gua Sha to what tools to avoid, it’s all here. Here’s the best gua sha guide:
Ultimate Beginner’s Gua Sha Guide
What is Gua Sha?
The practice of soothing skin care has been around for centuries. Chen told ELLE.com that the form of Chinese medicine has been used for more than 4,000 years.
As for where its Chinese name comes from, gua means “scrape” and sha means “petechia,” which are tiny, flat, red, or purple spots on the skin. “In Chinese medicine, it’s commonly used to scrape the skin — usually on the upper back,” explain Wu and Gray. The technology helps “increase blood flow, release heat toxins, stimulate lymphatic drainage, activate various parts of the body, and stimulate an immune response that brings beneficial cells to the area.” In other words: you’re actively giving your Skin pressure to get rid of unwanted toxins and fluids hiding under your skin.
What are the Benefits of Gua Sha?
- Traditional Chinese medicine practice can benefit you in many ways, both externally and internally. Some of its impressive results include:
Add loop - Relieve facial and muscle tension
- break fascial adhesions
- Helps in the production of collagen
- Shorten acute illnesses such as colds and flu
- Reduce inflammation
- Helps lymphatic drainage
Are There Any Side Effects of Using Gua Sha?
While scraping is generally considered safe, potential side effects can include soreness, bruising, and slight discoloration. These side effects can happen if you put too much pressure on your skin or if your skin is dehydrated.
Wu and Gray strongly recommend seeking advice from a qualified practitioner and learning the proper techniques to avoid any side effects.
How Should I Use My Gua Sha?
Gua sha steps are as follows:
- Before you start, make sure your face is clean and ready to be oiled.
- Next, prep your skin with an emollient (like a face oil or body cream) that’s silky smooth and doesn’t absorb right away to avoid straining your skin.
- Keep the stone as flat and close to the skin as possible, preferably at a 15º angle so you don’t rub the skin unnecessarily.
- Gently press outward strokes on the neck and face.
- If you have an active acne breakout, do scraping only on the chest and neck. This will help increase circulation and reduce inflammation without irritating your acne.
Which Gua Sha Should I Choose?
When choosing a scraping tool, all four experts recommend choosing one based on your lifestyle and skill set, but make sure your tools are made of high-quality stones such as Bian, jade, or amethyst. The idea is that the more you love the tool, the more you look forward to using it in your skincare routine.
But if we want to get technical, the shape is often more important than the type of stone used when choosing a scraping tool. “Ideally, the tool should be flat, thin, blunt with curved edges,” Wu and Grey said.
If you’re looking for a beginner’s option, we recommend the heart-shaped thing. It’s designed to glide easily over the contours of the face and neck, making it easy to hold and won’t take up too much space in your makeup bag when traveling. “Ultimately, you want to find one that feels comfortable and fits your hand well,” says Aguilar. “It shouldn’t be embarrassing or intimidating.”
What Face Oil Should I Use for Gua Sha?
Aguilar explains that moisturizing facial oils are key in order to avoid unnecessary friction on the skin when using Gua Sha.
“When using Gua Sha, it’s important to find a very good facial oil, but be aware that sometimes people may not react to Gua Sha but to the oil used,” warns Aguilar. “Using oils with too many ingredients, fragrances or heavy weights can cause irritation and breakouts.”
Is There A Limit to the Number of Gua Sha?
Technically, no. This problem can be traced back to a relationship with you and your skin. “Gua sha can be used whenever facial skin feels dull, dull, puffy, or tired,” explains Aguilar.
If your skin is more on the sensitive side, experts recommend no more than three to four times a week. On the other hand, if your skin, like mine, is not prone to inflammation, you can safely do it twice a day, or as you see fit.
How to Wholesale High Quality Gua Sha?
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