Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Gua Sha?Is Gua Sha Really Effective?Does Gua Sha Actually Change Face Shape?Do Dermatologists Recommend Gua Sha?How to Perform Gua Sha At HomeTechniques and Tips for Effective Gua ShaIs it OK to Use Gua Sha Every Day?How Long Does It Take to See Results From Gua Sha?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Gua Sha?
Is Gua Sha Really Effective?
Does Gua Sha Actually Change Face Shape?
Do Dermatologists Recommend Gua Sha?
How to Perform Gua Sha At Home
Techniques and Tips for Effective Gua Sha
Is it OK to Use Gua Sha Every Day?
How Long Does It Take to See Results From Gua Sha?
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Gua sha—the unassuming, more precise cousin of Jade rolling—is having a moment. Scroll through any social media feed, and you’ll likely come across some celebrity or skinfluencer going ga ga for gua sha.
Though its foray into mainstream beauty is recent, gua sha has been a staple in Chinese households for centuries.
If you’re wondering whether this buzzy treatment is actually worth the hype and how you can reap its touted benefits, you’re in the right place. Let’s dig in.
At a GlanceGua Sha, aka ‘scraping therapy’ or ‘skin scraping,’ is an ancient healing practice in traditional Chinese medicine. It offers a slew of health benefits, including lowering stress, reducing pain and swelling, improving metabolism and mood, and promoting mindfulness. Thus, incorporating gua sha into your self-care routine is a simple way to boost your overall well-being. If you have a skin or health condition that may interfere with this practice, check with your healthcare provider first to see if gua sha is right for you.
At a Glance
Gua Sha, aka ‘scraping therapy’ or ‘skin scraping,’ is an ancient healing practice in traditional Chinese medicine. It offers a slew of health benefits, including lowering stress, reducing pain and swelling, improving metabolism and mood, and promoting mindfulness. Thus, incorporating gua sha into your self-care routine is a simple way to boost your overall well-being. If you have a skin or health condition that may interfere with this practice, check with your healthcare provider first to see if gua sha is right for you.
Gua Sha or ‘scraping therapy’ is a technique used intraditional Chinese medicine (TCM)that involves gently scraping the skin with a flat, smooth-edged tool to stimulate the flow of blood, Qi (vital energy), and lymph.
‘Gua’means “to scrape,” while ‘sha’ refers to the distinctive red or purple spots that appear on the skin surface due to scraping.
These minor bruises (petechiae and ecchymoses) are formed when small blood vessels break open and blood leaks into the innermost layer of the skin, aka the subcutis.
The blemishes clear out in 2–5 days, with the symptoms alleviating immediately or after a few hours from treatment.
Gua sha is one of the many modalities found within a 4,000-5,000-year-old indigenous medicine practice that is TCM.—DR. PAIGE YANG, LAC, DACM
Gua sha is one of the many modalities found within a 4,000-5,000-year-old indigenous medicine practice that is TCM.
—DR. PAIGE YANG, LAC, DACM
The practice can be traced back to the Paleolithic Age when it was used for treating various illnesses.
Thousands of years later, “in the 17th century, the upper-class elite in China adapted these tools using precious stones such as jade and began using them for cosmetic benefits. A different technique was developed during the Qing dynasty once these tools went from the body for illness to the face for aesthetics,” Dr. Yang explains.
Gua sha techniques were handed down within families and among TCM practitioners. Decades later, the practice made its way to the West, notes Dr. Yang.
“The benefits of gua sha can be viewed through two lenses, that of East Asian medicine and that of Western medicine,” says Dr. Jason Chong, a traditional East Asian Medicine physician and director ofAustralian Shiatsu College.
In TCM, gua sha is known to promote the circulation ofqiand blood, the stagnation of which causes pain. This correlates with the Western perspective, which views gua sha as a method to stretch the fascia (connective tissue), to break up adhesions and muscle knots, and relieve constrictions, thus reducing pain, Dr. Chong explains.
Studies suggest that gua sha may not only alleviate various aches and pains, like neck pain, plantar fasciitis, and chronic lower back pain, but it might also provide longer-lasting effects compared to other pain-relieving methods, such as heat packs.
The benefits of gua sha can be viewed through two lenses, that of East Asian medicine and that of Western medicine.—DR. JASON CHONG
The benefits of gua sha can be viewed through two lenses, that of East Asian medicine and that of Western medicine.
—DR. JASON CHONG
Moreover, animal studies show that the mechanism of gua sha could strengthen metabolism and improve the immune function of the skin and body.
In addition, a randomized research study published in the journalMenopausefound that gua sha may relieve perimenopause symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, and headache.
The benefits of gua sha extend to aspects of mental well-being as well. For example:
It May Regulate the Nervous System
Gua sha can help modulate the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (thefight-or-flightvs. rest-and-digest response), saysCaitria Thiele, LAc.This equilibrium allows us to adapt to different situations effectively, keeping us from getting stuck inchronic stressor overstimulation.
An overactive or disordered nervous system, on the other hand, is linked to anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
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It Can Relieve Stress
According to Thiele, gua sha can be an excellent tool for self-care and relaxation once you learn the proper technique from a licensed TCM practitioner.
You don’t realize how much tension you hold in the face and head until you start working to unwind it.—CAITRIA THIELE, LAC
You don’t realize how much tension you hold in the face and head until you start working to unwind it.
—CAITRIA THIELE, LAC
Thiele recommends performing facial gua sha daily to mitigate the effects of stress on the facial muscles.
It Promotes Mindfulness
Gua sha is an intentional practice that encouragesmindfulness, providing time and space to sit with ourselves and our emotions, notes Dr. Yang.
It’s an opportunity to acknowledge, validate, and empathize with our emotions and experiences, ultimately softening those areas of our stories that have impacted areas of our faces that could use softening, she says.
This might involve, for instance, holding less tension or letting go of negative beliefs about our appearances.
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It May Lower Fear Avoidance-Based Anxiety
A case study published in theGlobal Advances in Health and Medicinejournal highlights that gua sha, as a complementary treatment intervention, may ease symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with fear-avoidance beliefs in chronic pain patients.
It May Improve Mood
Poor blood flow has been linked to impaired tissue function in specific regions of the brain that may contribute to mental health conditions such as depression.
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One of the most touted claims for gua sha is that it can permanently alter the face shape, making it slimmer or more sculpted.
Gua sha can improve microcirculation andlymphatic drainageto reduce puffiness and enhance skin appearance. “However, I find it difficult to fathom how this can influence the contour of the face,” saysDr. Dev Patel, a certified advanced esthetics practitioner.
It cannot permanently sculpt the face as gua sha “can’t address structural changes like loss of skin elasticity, collagen decline, and bone restoration,” saysDr. Wafaa El Mouhebb, a cosmetic dermatology physician and esthetician.
“In many cases, the slimming effect or lifted appearance disappears after 24 hours,” notes cosmetic formulatorDr. Vanita Rattan.
Surprisingly, these viral claims about contouring are not rooted in traditional gua sha philosophy either.
“Gua sha is not about erasing anything, but actually about embracing everything,” she says.
Gua sha is not about erasing anything, but actually about embracing everything.—DR. PAIGE YANG, LAC, DACM
Gua sha is not about erasing anything, but actually about embracing everything.
“When you shift your intentions from erasing your face to embracing your face, the aesthetic benefits become even greater because you are no longer in opposition with the self,” she explains.
Dr. Yang adds, “when applied in the context of Chinese history, culture, and medicine, these tools are so much more than a stone that makes you look good.”
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“Gua sha can stimulate blood circulation and improve lymphatic drainage, which can increase the delivery of antioxidants to skin cells and reduce puffiness and swelling,” saysBrendan Camp, MD, double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology.
“Most can benefit from gua sha, especially those concerned about facial tension and swelling related to vascular congestion on the face,” adds Dr. Camp.
However, there is little clinical evidence backing other purported skincare benefits of gua sha, like boosting collagen, altering facial contour, and permanently smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines, says Dr. Rattan.
“If individuals experience improvements in the appearance of their skin after using gua sha, it could be due to increased blood flow, reduced muscle tension, or enhanced lymphatic drainage, rather than a direct effect on collagen production,” she explains.
“Typically, gua sha is considered safe. However, individuals with damaged skin barrier due to conditions such as eczema or psoriasis should avoid gua sha as it could cause further irritation,” says Dr. El Mouhebb.
Similarly, if you have sunburn, active infection, open wound, or have undergone recent surgery, it’s recommended to avoid gua sha until it’s completely healed.
It’s highly recommended to learn the technique from a licensed TCM practitioner first before trying gua sha at home. “It can be at worst harmful or at best ineffective if done incorrectly,” says Thiele.
Next, choose a gua sha tool of your choice.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a vanity-worthy tool made from polished crystal to reap the benefits of this ancient healing practice.
“Any gua sha board that resonates with you is a good place to start,” says Dr. Yang. “There is more emphasis on technique than the tool itself,” she adds.
Even everyday objects like coins, soup spoons, and mason jar lids can double as gua sha tools. “Anything with a rounded edge will work,” says Thiele.
Here are other quick tips to keep in mind to get the most out of your gua sha practice:
For Neck & Throat
For Cheeks
For Eyes & Eyebrows
For Forehead
It’s also important to consider the time of day for addressing different concerns. Consider adding gua sha to your morning routine if your goal is to depuff and energize the skin. For releasing muscle tension and stress, add it to your bedtime routine, recommends AIAM.
It’s relatively safe to perform gua sha every day, provided you follow the correct technique learned from a trusted source and don’t overdo it, says Dr. Yang.
To further minimize any potential side effects, it’s important to avoid performing gua sha on certain areas of the body. For example, skin with lesions, cuts, large visible veins, or infections, says Dr. Ingegno.
Gua Sha for Specific Conditions
Individuals with certain health conditions like deep vein thrombosis or those with clotting disorders should avoid gua sha altogether.
While it’s unclear if it is unsafe for pregnancy, Dr. Ingegno also advises against this massage technique if you’re pregnant.
Some people can feel relief immediately after the treatment, provided the condition is mild to moderate, says Dr. Ingegno.
However, more than one session may be needed to see any significant improvement if the condition is more serious, depending on its severity, he adds.
Keep in Mind
If you’re new to gua sha, working with a licensed TCM practitioner to determine which technique and tool is best for your specific goal is a good place to start.
Gua sha is typically safe and effective for most people. However, as with any new treatment or procedure, it’s advisable to check in with your healthcare provider first to see whether it’s right for you.
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13 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chen, T., Liu, N., Liu, J., Zhang, X., Huang, Z., Zang, Y., Chen, J., Dong, L., & Zhang, J.Gua Sha, a press-stroke treatment of the skin, boosts the immune response to intradermal vaccination.PeerJ, 4 (2016). doi:10.7717/peerj.2451
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Jadhav, A., & Gurudut, P.Comparative effectiveness of Gua Sha, Cryostretch, and Positional Release Technique on tenderness and function in subjects with plantar fasciitis: A randomized clinical trial.International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork16,1 (2023). doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v16i1.749
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