Gua Sha Facial 101: What You Need to Know

The Gua Sha facial is a treatment that involves scraping a flat jade Gua Sha or rose quartz stone across the skin in upward strokes to relax stiff muscles and promote tissue drainage. The technique comes from traditional Chinese medicine and has recently started gaining popularity in the United States.

People who have used the Gua Sha facial tool or who have gotten a Gua Sha facial reported that their skin felt smoother and tighter. This facial noticeably relieves tension in the skin and can help to shape the jawline, as well as being a relaxing facial massage.

What is a Gua Sha facial?

Like any dermatology procedure, the Gua Sha facial is a facial treatment aimed at improving your skin. The Gua Sha facial involves either a flat piece of rose quartz stone or jade Gua Sha (similar to using a jade roller but not the same).

The flat piece of stone is stroked in upwards motions on the face in an effort to relax stiffened muscles. In addition to that, it also promotes lymphatic drainage. This process increases blood circulation in the face and draining in the lymphatic system. With repeated use, many see noticeable results.

You can perform a Gua Sha facial on yourself, but be cautious. The tool is similar to jade rollers which are easy to use on yourself with minimal practice or research. Using a Gua Sha however, if you use a heavy hand you could wind up with bruises. So a suggestion for beginners would be to see a professional first before trying it out yourself.

Does a facial Gua Sha really work?

Many people have seen results with the Gua Sha facial. Benefits of Gua Sha include increased blood flow in the face, lymphatic drainage, reduced appearance of wrinkles, glowing skin, a slimmer face, etc.

Like any product, what works well for some users might not work as well for others. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t seeing drastic results immediately. Using a tool like this doesn’t provide instantaneous results, but will provide results over time.

For best results consult advice, online videos, and research the methods. If you’re looking for a treatment that can leave you with natural-looking, glowing skin, this is the one for you.

How often should you Gua Sha your face?

Like most skin treatments you shouldn’t use Gua Sha every day. What’s most commonly recommended is using it 2-3 times a week. You might be able to do it more often if your skin isn’t very sensitive and you use lighter pressure.

If Gua Sha is something you want to incorporate into your skincare routine, I would recommend doing it at night. And pick nights when you have a little extra time. It’s okay if you don’t remember if you hit your 2-3 times yet. Just try to avoid doing it every day otherwise you could cause some irritation.

Does Gua Sha slim the face?

In a way yes, but probably not as dramatically as you think. Using the Gua Sha tool you are taking a stone, applying pressure, and scraping it upwards on your face. This reduces puffiness in the skin and increases the draining of lymphatic fluids. This can lead to a slimmer-looking face and more prominent jawlines in some users.

The effect it has varies from person to person. Some might see a more dramatic difference and others might see no difference at all. Other than removing lymphatic fluids Gua Sha hasn’t been proven to slim the face.

Does Gua Sha tighten skin?

Gua Sha has been proven to promote tighter skin. Using the tool you’re lifting the skin up, sculpting the face, and firming the skin. To achieve this goal make sure you use Gua Sha on a regular basis and scrape in an upwards motion.

The Gua Sha technique increases circulation and reduces puffiness in the skin. This can bring about the appearance of tighter skin. One note would be to be cautious about the amount of pressure you’re applying with the tool on your skin.

Is Gua Sha better than a jade roller?

Both products are capable of doing the same thing. They each promote lymphatic drainage and can give the appearance of a slimmer face. But if you’re looking for better results the Gua Sha is probably the better bet to help you achieve those results.

Using real jade leads to better benefits as well. In Chinese medicine, Jade is referred to as the stone of heaven and is said to represent health, wealth, longevity, and prosperity. Regardless of what tool you choose, picking one that is real jade is important.

A jade roller is still a useful tool (and a nice self-care activity I might add), but if you really want to see results I would choose the Gua Sha. Both are great tools to promote wellness and relaxation.

Can I do a Gua Sha facial at home?

Yes, you can do a Gua Sha facial at home! You can find the Gua Sha tools on Amazon or at some in-store retailers. But as we touched on above, first-time users might want to consult a professional.

Beauty Tools Needed

So what tools other than the Gua Sha do you need? Here is a list of products to consider using and where you can purchase them.

Skin Cleanser: It’s best to start with clean skin, so start by washing your face with your preferred cleanser. Cerave or Cetaphil, both are affordable options suitable for all skin types. They’re commonly recommended by dermatologists, and can be found at Ulta or drug stores like Rite Aid, Walgreens, or CVS.
Facial Serum: For those of us with acne-prone skin or even dry skin, serums are life savers. My favorite serums are from the brand The Ordinary which can be purchased at Sephora or Ulta.
Vitamin C: We all want glowing skin, that’s part of the reason we’re using the Gua Sha facial treatment in the first place! Another great way to do this is using a Vitamin C serum which you can find on Amazon or at any drug store or beauty store.
Moisturizer: Last but not least, we need to hydrate our skin. I would recommend using a light facial moisturizer like Cerave or Cetaphil.
Gua Sha Tool: The most important part! You can find this tool at many different retailers but the easiest ones would be Target, Walmart, or Amazon.

Where can I buy beauty supplies to do a Gua Sha facial at home?

There are a variety of different retailers where you can find the supplies to do a Gua Sha facial at home.

Sephora

Sephora is a beauty supply store that carries mostly high-end cosmetic and fragrance brands. The products they offer tend to be on the more expensive side but last a long time. If you have sensitive skin or have other skincare needs and have a hard time finding products that work, Sephora has more options than other retailers might have.

Ulta

Ulta is like Sephora but combines drugstore brands with prestige brands. If you aren’t sure where to start looking for skincare products Ulta is the place to start. They offer products at all price points, so if you’re looking to treat yourself or just want to grab something and go, this is the place for you.

Public Goods

Public Goods carries healthy and sustainable everyday essentials from shampoo and conditioner to skincare products. Not only are their products good for the environment, but they are also good for your wallet! Most products retail for under $20. With many users turning to clean beauty in recent years this is a brand you don’t want to miss!

Mount Lai

Mount Lai is a beauty and self-care brand rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. They offer facial tools and products. If skincare is something you’re passionate about, I would recommend checking out this brand and the authentic products they offer.

Grove Collaborative

Grove Collaborative offers natural personal care and cosmetic products at an affordable price point. You can find all the products needed for a Gua Sha facial here, including the Gua Sha tool itself. Again, with many users turning to clean alternatives for cosmetic and personal care products this is a great brand to try.

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Bottom line on doing a Gua Sha facial

All in all, doing a Gua Sha facial is a nice thing to incorporate into a self-care routine. It’s great for a girls’ night or spa day activity. Many dermatologists endorse the Gua Sha facial.

However, it is not something you should be doing every day. Doing the facial too often runs the risk of popping blood vessels or bruising the skin on your face. And again, if it is your first time doing one yourself, you should do your research and consult a professional beforehand.

The Gua Sha tool itself might be a tad pricey but it’s bound to give you great results over time with repeated use. The other products needed (cleanser, serums, moisturizer) can be found in drugstores or on Amazon and in prestige brands like Sephora.

The Gua Sha facial is definitely something that all skincare fanatics should try at least once, and a facial treatment all users are sure to enjoy.