Gua sha stone, known as “Far Eastern Botox” for their efficacy on the signs of skin aging, are a gentler alternative to this beauty procedure! No needles, no side effects, completely natural, can be used in the comfort of your own bathroom, and a lot cheaper! Having said that, it’s important that you learn how to use this tool properly so that your scraping ritual doesn’t have any ill effects on your skin.
Gua sha stones are made of amethyst, rose quartz or jade and have been used in China for over 2,000 years to promote the flow of energy (called qi or qi) in the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used on the back, arms, legs, buttocks, and face to stimulate blood flow, break down scar tissue, relieve chronic pain, and improve the overall health of the body.
In the West, Gua Sha is mostly used for facial massage. It is based on the principle of using scraping stones (harder than hands, with rounded and polished edges) instead of hands to massage the face. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to vigorously scrape the skin. This can cause microtrauma and lead to petechiae — tiny brown, red, or purple spots caused by blood buildup under the skin that look unsightly on the face. There is some controversy surrounding the effectiveness and potential dangers of this practice, which is thought to increase energy flow.
However, the method is quite different and in the West, scraping stones are often used to massage the face and neck with light pressure. It is also used with oil to prevent the stone from pulling up to the skin. Simply apply an organic facial oil suitable for your skin type.
The Benefits of Gua Sha Stone Massage for the Face
One of the great things about Gua Sha massage is that it can be used on all skin types and you can get a lot of benefits in just a few minutes a day!
Pro aging. Scraping stones promote blood circulation and improve skin appearance and radiance. Every massage softens fine lines, reduces eye puffiness, skin feels firmer and complexion looks more radiant. Also, if you use Gua Sha regularly (at least two to three times a week, preferably daily), you will see results quickly.
Effective on acne. The first thing to point out is that scraping stones are not recommended if you have cystic acne or open lesions. If this is the case, we recommend using the Jade Roller instead, so you don’t press too hard on the skin, but still promote lymphatic drainage. On the other hand, if you have oily, blemish-prone skin, you can use regular and gentle scraping to help clear up breakouts and reduce the frequency of breakouts. Gua sha has a positive effect on microcirculation and helps the skin heal better.
lymphatic drainage. Regular massage with scraping stones stimulates the circulation of lymphatic fluid (which carries away toxins) and helps improve skin firmness.
How to Use Gua Sha Stones Safely?
If you don’t use the gua sha stone properly, or use too much force on your face with the gua sha stone, you may see negative side effects—some more severe than others.
Bruising, caused by the rupture of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) just below the surface of the skin. The medical name is petechiae.
Facial swelling, accompanied by a sensitive, possibly even painful sensation.
Pressing too hard on the facial muscles can cause the membranes covering them to tear. If you experience increased facial pain, fever, dizziness, heat, or if the area you massaged with Gua Sha becomes increasingly red, it is recommended that you seek medical attention immediately.
Excessive force on the scraping stone may cause infection. You shouldn’t scrape hard with a scraper to avoid causing skin damage, but if that happens, there is of course a risk of bacterial infection – so it’s so important to clean and sanitize the scraper between uses.
