Gua Sha is the ancient Chinese practice of using a specialized tool to scrape the skin on the face or body, relieving musculoskeletal pain, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, draining the lymph, supporting the immune system, and releasing tensions. Gua means scraping, and sha refers to the petechiae, or reddened marks, on the skin that show stagnation. These marks are the result of the gua sha tool scraping the skin and breaking superficial capillaries, which promotes an anti-inflammatory and immune response to improve blood circulation. Stagnation occurs when the body fails to remove metabolic waste or toxins in the body that results in an impeded flow of Qi or vital energy in the body. This practice began in the Paleolithic Age, when people would use their hands and other tools to rub ill areas of the body to alleviate disease, and was written into medical records in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The tools used are commonly made from jade or other semi precious stones like rose quartz and amethyst. Gua sha is practiced by acupuncturists, massage therapists, Chinese medicine practitioners, chiropractors, and physical therapists.
Body Gua Sha
Body gua sha is the practice of scraping the gua sha tool hard and fast on the skin to produce a rash. This technique uses less oil than facial gua sha, and uses much harder pressure to break the capillaries in the fascia. Body gua sha can be done anywhere on the body where there is pain, tension, or stagnation. Practitioners work along the meridians, or channels, where Qi flows. TCM states that where there is pain, there is stagnation of blood and Qi. Working along these meridians and energy points increases blood and energy flow and decreases inflammation, aiding in healing the affected area. The most common areas of the body for gua sha are the neck, shoulders, back, and legs. It is important to work the neck and chest first before doing any gua sha on the face.
Facial Gua Sha
Facial gua sha uses featherlight pressure on the face to improve circulation, lift the skin, relieve tension, and drain the lymph. Pushing too hard can bypass the lymphatic system, which defeats the intended purpose behind the modality on the face. Unlike body gua sha, you do not want a rash to form.
To perform facial gua sha, first oil your skin so the tool can glide easily across the face. The proper order is chest, neck, jaw, cheeks, under the eyes, above the eyebrows, and then the forehead. Start with the chest, moving from the center out. Working the neck and chest first opens up the lymph nodes and prepares them for drainage. Now at the neck, start moving down to drain the lymph. At the jaw, start at the middle of the chin and work out and up towards the ear. For the cheeks and jaw, start at the nose and move the tool out towards the ear. For under the eye, start towards the corner of the eye and move out and up towards the top of the ear. Use the lightest pressure under the eye, much lighter than the rest of the face and neck. When working on the forehead and upper brow, move the tool up and out towards the hairline.
After working the face, working the neck and chest drains all the toxins and lymph that was mobilized to be dumped and excreted by the lymphatic system. It helps to divide the face into sections like lower, upper, left, and right. This ensures that the technique of aiming towards the lymph nodes is done equally. To do this, always start in the middle and go up and out on the face. Do 3-8 strokes in each area, and do not be alarmed at any pink you see, as increased circulation is a common effect of facial gua sha. Common tools to use for the face are facial roller, dolphin, and eye tool.
Tools and How to Use Them Properly:
Using the proper tools and techniques is key to reaping the full benefits of facial and body gua sha. As with any popular beauty trend, misuse and misinformation can spread like wildfire, particularly in the age of technology. Unfortunately, there are many bloggers and influencers that are using these tools in ways that do not support their skin. Along with this misinformation are misrepresented tools. Jade is a very common material for gua sha tools, but is very expensive. Any tools under $30 should be avoided, as they are most likely made of plastic that can have chips that can cut or scratch the skin. Semi precious tools are often a composite of jade, rose quartz, or amethyst and another material, but marketed as pure stone. The tools Amanda Gawrysz, our NCCAOM certified acupuncturist, uses are $60-$80, ensuring authentic materials that will not harm your skin. She offers 3 facial rejuvenation services- modalities only facial gua sha, facial rolling, or facial cupping starting at $130, just facial acupuncture for $150, or modalities and acupuncture for $185. Below are a few of her tips on how to practice gua sha while best supporting your skin, as well as the benefits of each tool.
Tips:
Apply oil- facial gua sha needs lubrication to move across the skin, rolling does not require oil
Body gua sha does not require as much oil as facial gua sha
Avoid coconut oil because it can clog pores
Apply gentle pressure to the face, especially under the eyes, harder pressure elsewhere
Keep passes light and consistent
Gua sha tools are used primarily for manual lymphatic drainage, relieving facial and jaw tension, and lifting and contouring the skin
Facial rollers are used for reducing inflammation on the face
Consistency is key. This needs to be done regularly for results. You can set aside more or less time based on your schedule. Doing shorter sessions is better than not doing it at all
Avoid direct contact with the cold- circulation is increased by gua sha, and the cold can constrict your blood vessels, defeating the benefits of the service
Gua sha is not recommended for children, the elderly, those with thin skin, those who take a blood thinner, those with chronic skin condition like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea, those with chronic migraines, those with uncontrolled high blood pressure, or pregnant women with a history of miscarriages
If someone has had botox, it is recommended to wait 2 weeks to 1 month after for the treatment to settle
Avoid gua sha over active acne breakouts as it will spread the bacteria and cause more irritation
Be careful scraping over skin with moles
Do not perform gua sha on sunburns, open wounds, rashes, or inflamed skin
Clean your tools after each use with warm soap and water
Spoon: The original gua sha tool. The spoon has great pressure control while scraping. It can be used on the neck, shoulders, soles, and palms, and is great for deeply sculpting facial features and precision work. It encourages tension release through targeting acupressure points, and is best used on the cheeks and jawline.
Dolphin Tool: This is a very recognizable gua sha tool that comes in many materials like jade, rose quartz, and amethyst. The broad shape of this tool makes it easy to grip, allowing for firmer pressure while scraping. Use this tool on tougher flesh parts, like the thighs, glutes, or shoulders. Smaller versions of this tool can be used on the face for facial gua sha.
Roller: This tool was built to have a cooling and soothing effect on the skin, and is best used for reducing puffiness, applying serums or oils, and soothing the skin. To use this tool, start in the middle of the face and roll outwards across the cheeks. Then, move to the eyebrows and roll up across the forehead. Move down below the lower lip and down around the chin. Use the smaller end for harder to reach areas, and the larger end for broader areas. This can be done twice a day, in the morning and evening. This tool is great to use after using the gua sha tools to return your skin back to harmony.
Eye Tool: Pair this tool with an oil or serum to reduce puffiness and under eye bags and awaken and rejuvenate the eye area. The dome shape fits below the eye, and the rounded edge is great for hitting acupressure points. Use gentle pressure and movements. Move around the eyes, and then move down the neck to move lymphatic drainage. Make sure to move from the middle of the face out to draw any drainage away from the face.
Treatable Conditions and Benefits:
Fine lines and wrinkles (aging) - stimulates collagen and elastin production, tissue regeneration, promotes skin cell renewal/cell turnover
Dull complexion - brightens complexion by increasing blood flow and stimulating tissue regeneration
Puffiness - draining lymphatic fluid
Sagging - firms and tightens skin
Diminishes redness and rosacea
Headaches- relieves muscle tension
Sinus congestion by reducing inflammation
TMJ - reduces tension in the muscles of the face
Under eye dark circles and puffiness by moving lymphatic fluid
Acne - draining trapped lymph
Bonus: Putting the tools in the refrigerator for 30 mins before treatment can reduce even more puffiness and inflammation.
To learn more and to book a facial rejuvenation session, visit this link.
Resources
“Gua sha: What you need to know”. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320397#tools-and-technique.
“How to Use Gua Sha for Tension, Puffiness, and Lymphatic Drainage”. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-use-gua-sha#research.
“Introduction to Gua Sha Therapy”. Retrieved from https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/pdf/10.1142/9789811209062_0001.
“Mount Lai”. Retrieved from https://www.mountlai.com/.
“Types of gua sha tools: What to consider when choosing a gua sha tool”. Retrieved from https://www.binomassage.com/blog/gua-sha-tools/.
“Wildling”. Retrieved from https://wildling.com/pages/origins.
Bedosky, Lauren. “What Is Gua Sha? A Guide to This Traditional Chinese Medicine Wellness Practice”. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/what-is-gua-sha/guide/.
Goluboff, Sally. “The Benefits of Jade Rolling”. Retrieved from https://www.taoofwellness.com/newsletters-blog/2018/11/29/the-benefits-of-jade-rolling.
Sultana, Meghan. “The Beginner’s Guide to Gua Sha”. Retrieved from https://www.yinovacenter.com/blog/the-beginners-guide-to-gua-sha/.