Known as the “Eastern facelift”, the gua sha’s first use dates back some 700 years ago. So why has it suddenly become the average beauty guru’s must-have?
Bolstered by a profusion of approvals from A-list celebrities, this indented concave utensil promises quite the miracle, such as a sharper jaw or more prominent cheekbones.
If you already own a facial roller, you may be wondering if buying a concave gua sha is even necessary. The difference boils down to how quickly you want to see results, and how much time you are willing to spend on sculpting your face.
Opt for the facial roller if it is a quick de-puffing you are aiming for. The gua sha, on the other hand, allows you to sculpt and contour your face on a much deeper level.
There is no direct translation for the term, says Bob Kee, sole proprietor and primary therapist of The Reiki Refuge. “‘Gua’ means to scrape or rub vigorously, and ‘sha’ refers to Qi (vital energy or life force) and blood stasis.”
According to Kee, this natural and non-invasive approach to the beauty regimen does live up to its big claims.
“Gua sha is traditionally used to expel toxins from the body, improve blood circulation, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, as well as stimulate the body’s auto-immune system,” he tells FMT.
“All of these things help fight signs of ageing and produce the results that many people are looking for, such as pronounced cheekbones and a sharper jawline.”
People are becoming more concerned about their health and appearance nowadays, but not everyone is willing to casually drop thousands on visits to the dermatologist. Even DIY devices such as microneedling, laser-removal products, and red-light therapy are incredibly expensive – which could be why it is tempting to include the gua sha tool in your skincare routine.
“Gua sha is becoming more and more popular not only because it is affordable, it is also relatively easy to do at home,” Kee says.
However, an alarming amount of tutorial videos on social media lack a basic understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. Liam Pun Bing, a senior physician at 1TCM Acupuncture Clinic, says gua sha is more than just facial contouring.
“The technique that has gone viral is actually a modern take on an ancient method, which originally targets the body’s meridian system instead of the face. The practice revolves around pressing the right acupoints in order to ensure proper Qi flow,” he says.
Liam adds that guidance from a professional physician can only yield good outcomes. “I highly recommend those interested in using the gua sha tool to consult a physician before they attempt to do it themselves.”
A rule of thumb for beginners would be to know what they are aiming for when they use a gua sha tool.
Although the concave gua sha has been used by beauty gurus for the face and neck regions, it should only be used for the neck, shoulder and spine.
The cleft gua sha targets the jaw, the double-curved gua sha targets the eyes and cheeks, the teeth edge gua sha targets the forehead, cheeks and chin, and the pointed convex edge gua sha targets the brows.
Gua sha can be made out of buffalo horns, bronze, wood, or even crystals, but try not to let the increasing number of sellers supplying these tools intimidate you. There is no “correct” material when it comes to the gua sha, and preferring crystals over wood will not affect the outcome in any way.
When asked where best to purchase a gua sha tool, both Kee and Liam agree nothing beats crystal retailers or traditional Chinese medicine suppliers.
“There is no cause for concern as long as there are no cracks or notches on the tool that could lead to skin abrasions,” Kee adds.
To purchase your own gua sha, check out signaturemarket.co or themineraw.com.