When it comes to the goal of sculpting our faces, the one thing that often comes to mind is how much money we’ll spend on facials that can help ensure our face cards are on point. But, what if we could bring sculpting aids to our home? That’s where we can consider Gua Sha.
“Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth edge tool to improve circulation and promote healing,” Evelyn Ramirez, a licensed Medical Aesthetician and the founder of Evelyn Aesthetics tells Beautycon. “This practice has been used for centuries to address various ailments, including muscle pain, inflammation, and even colds.”
Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist based in New York City, also shares, “it can stimulate blood flow, reduce puffiness, and promote lymphatic drainage, leading to a more contoured and toned appearance.”
Additionally, there are many variations of gua sha, depending on what you’re looking for when you use a gua sha tool. Kopelman notes that Jade is the most common gua sha that people use for their skin. “Jade tools are traditionally used for their cooling properties and are great for sensitive skin.” Ramirez also shares rose quartz gua sha tools are popular for “their smooth texture and are great for sensitive skin.”
Denise Rabor, a makeup artist and the founder and director of Wow Beauty and The DOR Beauty Edit recommends when picking out gua sha tools to “choose a tool with a shape that fits comfortably in your hand and that suits the contours of your face or body.”
To use gua sha tools, Elina Fedotova, celebrity aesthetician and founder of Elina Organics & Spa, recommends using a moisturizing botanical lotion or skin oil on the area you are massaging so the tool will slide over the skin. For those with acne prone skin, not to use oil as it can be “too heavy for your complexion.” When using the gua sha tool, gently massage your face from your nose in an outward movement toward your ears, not too hard so you can avoid bruising.
