Gua Sha (pronounced gwah-shah) is the ancient practice of scraping the skin with a flat, smooth-edged tool to release toxins and relieve muscle tension. With origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine that date as far back as the Stone Age, Gua (scrape) Sha (fever) loosely translates to “scraping away illness by allowing it to escape through the skin”. Gua sha’s firm scraping action on the body typically leaves reddish welts called petechiae, but this is not to be confused with facial gua sha, which uses much gentler techniques to achieve beauty results.
If done properly, gua sha shouldn’t hurt. On the contrary, it should feel like a soothing massage therapy that seems to hit all the right spots – aka the pressure points along the major meridian lines on your face. Gua sha tools dig deeper into the muscle than our fingers can, alleviating muscle tensions and stimulating blood flow. This in turn increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, promoting a healthier and more youthful appearance. In fact, research suggests that continued use of facial gua sha improves microcirculation and blood flow by as much as 400%.
Facial gua sha massage, or the appropriately nicknamed “Eastern Facelift”, can produce the following anti-aging effects over time:
First, you need to find the right tool to perform your daily gua sha ritual at home. Semiprecious stones such as jade, rose quartz, amethyst, and crystalline are carved to hug your facial contours with smooth and flat surfaces. Each stone is believed to be packed with various healing properties, which also make them the ideal tools for gua sha. For example, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, jade can balance and relax your inner energies, reduce inflammation, and encourage lymphatic function, whereas rose quartz is best for detoxing and lifting the skin while draining the body of negative energies.
Gua sha scrapers come in all shapes and sizes, but usually tend to be flat stones that are smaller than your palm. The general rule of thumb is, the simpler the tool, the more beginner-friendly it will be. Make sure to find a tool that is comfortable and easy to grip with its scallops, dents, curves, and edges. We also advise running your finger over the edges to check for chips or damages to prevent cuts on your precious skin.
Pick your favorite gua sha scraper and settle down for a DIY pampering session that will leave you feeling relaxed and looking radiant. We advise avoiding gua sha if you are prone to broken capillaries, and to avoid scraping over broken skin or acne.
For beginners, the below step-by-step guide is the perfect introduction into the world of gua sha:
Related: 10 Things You Need To Know About The Amazing Jojoba Oil
Cosmetic procedures like injectable fillers and Botox can achieve immediate results like zapping fine lines or restoring volume – but with all “quick fix” solutions come a flood of caveats that many would rather avoid. Higher cost, more pain, and more risks and side effects involved, to name just a few. That’s why we love the gentle and non-invasive alternative technique of facial gua sha – a beauty ritual that has truly stood the test of time.