How to Use a Gua Sha: 5 Benefits of Gua Sha

A gua sha stone is a traditional Chinese medicine facial and body massaging tool. A gua sha tool, typically made of jade, features smooth edges and can fit in the palm of your hand. To practice gua sha, gently run the edges of the slim stone against the body and face. The term “gua sha” means “to scrape sand,” referring to the brown or red spots of “sha” that can appear on the skin after a gua sha treatment. Gua sha can promote blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, eliminating puffiness and bloating.

Gua sha tools come in various sizes, shapes, and materials. When choosing a gua sha skincare tool, consider the following:

• Material: Gua sha tools are typically made of stones with healing properties, commonly jade and rose quartz. For example, a jade gua sha naturally cools and can increase circulation and depuff under-eye circles. Rose quartz tools can invigorate energy and connect with the heart chakra. Other gua sha materials include bian, turquoise, obsidian, amethyst, glass, stainless steel, and wood.
• Shape: Gua sha tools are flat with smooth, curved edges but come in various shapes. A concave, heart-shaped gua sha tool works best for practicing gua sha on the neck and shoulders. A gua sha tool with a cleft in the middle helps to massage the jawline. Gua sha tools featuring comb teeth help to massage the facial skin along the hairline.

In ancient Chinese medicine, practitioners used gua sha tools to facilitate the free flow of qi throughout the body. This flow of energy can have the following health benefits:

1. 1. Circulation: Gua sha promotes blood flow, supplying muscles with oxygen to support muscle recovery and help your organs function properly. Using gua sha tools under the eyes, for example, can lessen the appearance of dark circles.
2. 2. Collagen production: Practicing facial gua sha can help stimulate collagen production, increasing skin elasticity and creating a brighter complexion. Regular gua sha practice can help prevent aging and soften fine lines.
3. 3. Detoxification: Gua sha stimulates the lymph nodes, promoting lymphatic drainage and the release of toxins. Lymphatic drainage refers to the flow of lymph, a fluid that transports white blood cells and removes bacteria, viruses, and toxins from the body. Relieving blood and fluid stagnation can reduce swelling.
4. 4. Pain relief: A gua sha tool can help reduce inflammation and relieve headaches, body pain, or muscle tension. For example, running a gua sha tool against the hairline and brow bone can reduce headaches. Using it along the jawline can help relax facial muscles and massage the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
5. 5. Sculpt: Draining lymphatic fluid can help relieve puffiness, especially under the eyes, and make the face appear slimmer. Gua sha can also firm up the skin of the neck.
6. 6. Stress relief: Gua sha is a form of self-care that can aid in stress relief and promote an overall feeling of relaxation and wellness.

You can visit a skincare professional to perform gua sha or practice it at home. To perform gua sha, follow the tutorial below:

1. 1. Prepare your skin. It is essential to hydrate your skin before using a gua sha tool, so the stone can move smoothly against your body. You can use moisturizer, hydrating spray, neutral facial oil, or body oil.
2. 2. Hold the tool at an angle. Hold the gua sha tool at a thirty to forty-five-degree angle to maximize its contact with your skin and promote lymph movement.
3. 3. Follow the lymphatic flow. You can practice gua sha on the face, back, neck, shoulders, and legs. The stone's direction should follow the body's meridians or lymphatic systems. For example, pull a gua sha tool upward on the front of the neck toward the jawline and earlobe.
4. 4. Repeat motions. Repeat the upward or downward strokes three to five times in one area before moving to the next.
5. 5. Use gentle pressure. Scrape the stone using light to medium pressure; be gentle in the under-eye area. Use less pressure if bruising occurs.

Begin practicing gua sha as part of your skincare routine once or twice weekly. Gradually, you can increase to a daily gua sha practice.

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