What Is Gua Sha?
The face scraping technique is based on an ancient healing technique called Gua Sha, which was first referred to in a classical Chinese medicine text called the Shan Han Lun dated 220 CE. Originally, practitioners wanted to obtain ‘Sha’—redness that encourages the skin to heal itself.
Originally a body treatment, gua sha has since been adapted to be used in facial therapies, with the scraping motion evolving to a gentler gliding technique. Gua sha is a method that promotes lymphatic drainage, which helps to eliminate bloating caused by interstitial fluid (fluid trapped under your skin that needs to be released to your lymph system). In other words, gua sha is good for you—and could have some additional benefits to your appearance.
The Benefits of Gua Sha
While modern-day jade scraping might be less invasive, it can still have some pretty impressive results.
- Stimulates circulation: One pilot study found that gua sha can stimulate circulation in targeted areas. Anecdotal evidence has found that it could also help ease the appearance of cellulite by lowering fluid retention—though there’s not quite enough science to back that up.
- Helps produce collagen: Anecdotal evidence has found that gua sha can help decrease puffiness and soften fine lines and wrinkles by helping the body produce more collagen—thereby brightening the complexion.
- Decreases inflammation: Science has found that gua sha can help temporarily relieve pain and tightness in certain parts of the body—even leading to results that last. Those studies suggest that gua sha has an impact on inflammation (which often leads to pain).
- Diminishes dark circles: By helping soften fine lines and stimulating collagen, gua sha can help diminish dark circles (at least, temporarily) and temporarily tighten skin.
- Sculpts facial muscles: Used on the jawline and cheekbone area, gua sha can help release tight facial muscles and give the temporary appearance of a more sculpted face. It won’t get rid of a double chin (it can’t target fat), but it could help ease puffiness in the short term.
How to use your Gua Sha
Step 1: Cleanse and Tone
It’s best to perform gua sha on clean skin. If you use toner, apply it after cleansing. Also, make sure your hands and the tool itself is clean. A drop of cleanser and water are all you need.
Step 2: Apply a Facial Oil
Place a generous amount of face oil to your face, neck, and chest. We recommend our “Rejuvenating Serum”. This special oil-based serum will help the tool glide more easily, but if you prefer a cream or water-based lotion that is OK. Just note that you may need to reapply more throughout the process.
Step 3: Perform Gua Sha
Now you can begin your actual gua sha practice. Holding the tool at a 30 to 45-degree angle, very gently pull/scrape it across your skin. As a rule, all movements should be upward and follow lymphatic flow. Repeat each movement three to five times before moving onto the next area of your skin.
We recommend the following movements as part of your gua sha facial routine:
- Jawline and chin: Glide your tool upwards from the center of the chin out to the earlobe to contour the jaw.
- Forehead: Start at the center of the forehead and divide your forehead into three sections and glide your tool outwards. Scrape once, then move down a bit and scrape again.
- Cheek: Start at the nose and work upwards in a sweeping motion along the cheeks and cheekbones, moving outwards toward your ears. Scrape once, then move down a bit and scrape again, move down a bit more to the center of the chin and scrape again.
- Undereye: Start in the inner corner of the eye and glide outwards to the temple.
- Brows: Glide upwards along the brow bone – going from the inside out.
- Lips: Glide over your lips back and forth about five times for a plumping effect.
- Neck: Section your neck into four areas and scrape each section from the bottom up.
Step 4: Remove Excess and Complete Regimen
If you want, you can massage the remaining product into your skin with your hands, or you can wipe away any residual oil or cream with a damp cloth. Afterward, complete your go-to skincare routine.
For best results, our experts recommend performing gua sha three to four times a week for about three to five minutes each time.
The statements made within this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and the products of this company are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
