Gua Sha Facial Tool 101: Why Add It to Your Beauty Routine?

Many ancient self-care remedies and practices have been getting more attention as a push toward more natural beauty practices increases. Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that translates to ‘scraping.’ Those who use this tool recommend adding it into your routine for glowing and radiant skin, as well as a relaxed body.

Interested? Learn more about gua sha, its benefits, and how to use it in this guide.

What is Gua Sha?

Also referred to as jade scrapping, gua sha is a facial and body massage technique, which involves scraping a rounded, flat tool, usually made of jade or rose quartz, over the skin to relieve facial muscle tension, promote lymphatic drainage, and enhance blood flow. (Watch a video here). The stone is made in such a way that you can use its different sides for different parts of your face or neck.

Why Add a Gua Sha Facial Tool to Your Beauty Regime?

Gua sha is known for offering some amazing results and skin benefits:

• Heightened lymphatic drainage, which helps get rid of any puffiness on your face. This leaves your skin radiant and glowing.
• Stimulates and increases blood circulation since it breaks down fascia tissues that surround your muscles.
• Decreased inflammation.
• A better and brighter skin complexion.
• Softens fine lines and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
• Relieves tension in the facial area.
• Stimulates collagen production for younger-looking skin.
• Helps to diminish dark circles.

In addition to offering beauty benefits, gua sha is thought to treat a variety of common symptoms and conditions, including:

• Back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Poor blood circulation
• Tennis elbow
• Scar tissue, and
• Shoulder and neck tension

How Do I Use a Gua Sha Stone?

You can enjoy the benefits of gua sha by using it in the right manner and having the correct routine. Facial gua sha differs from gua sha for the body. The facial technique also differs depending on what you want to achieve.  

Facial Gua Sha

You can use gua sha on your face to reduce puffiness around the eyes, enhance lymphatic drainage, relieve tension in the neck or head, contour and de-puff the chin, and décolletage (neckline). 

There is a different way to use the gua sha, depending on each area. But, in general, you are applying oil, then using a sweeping motion in a specific direction, and repeating three times for that area. Read more detailed instructions here.

Gua Sha on the Body

Practitioners recommend using a gua sha along the body meridians where qi (vital energy) flows through the body to stimulate blood circulation. Stroke the gua sha over supple skin with small pressure to stimulate blood flow, reduce pain or strengthen your breathing. You may realize some bruises due to blood flowing to the skin surface.

How Regularly Should You Use Gua Sha?

It is recommended to use a gua sha regularly for the best results. Once or twice a week is okay. However, the frequency is determined by your skin type and whatever you want to achieve.

It is advisable to start slowly, maybe weekly, after which you can you twice or three times a week to see more results. This is also a great self-care practice to promote mindfulness and taking time for yourself.

Whether you choose jade, rose quartz, or another healing stone, go ahead and get yourself a gua sha to experience these time-tested results. 

Read Clean Rebellion’s Magazine for more beauty tips!