ACCORDING TO LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST AND HERBALIST SAMANTHA PREIS, GUA SHA HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT TECHNIQUE IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS TO RELIEVE BODY PAIN AND MUSCLE TENSION RELIEF. SHE EXPLAINS IT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR STIMULATING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WHEN CATCHING A COLD.

Gua sha is often referred to as scraping, spooning or coining, and involves repeated pressed strokes over lubricated skin with a smooth edged and blunt instrument.

“In China and Vietnam, gua sha is very common and used mainly at home,” adds Preis. “I use a porcelain ramen spoon like they do in China but coins, jar lids and many other kinds of smooth-edged implements are used too.”

Practitioners believe that gua sha releases unhealthy bodily matter from blood stasis within sore, tired, stiff or injured muscle areas to stimulate new oxygenated blood flow to the areas, thus promoting metabolic cell repair, regeneration, healing and recovery.

“After evaluating my patient to determine if gua sha is appropriate, I will perform gua sha first then acupuncture,” says Preis. “I only use it in conjunction with acupuncture, not at the same time of course. I recommend gua sha when muscle tension is not resolving with cupping or acupuncture alone or when the area is not practical to cup, like the forearm or neck.”

There’s a newer trend— facial gua sha—which uses a similar, but gentler technique. And while it’s been around for thousands of years, it’s having
a major moment in the beauty world. The benefits are slightly different and extend beyond relaxation and lessened tension—it’s linked to clearer skin, fewer wrinkles and a more sculpted appearance.

The facial gua sha treatment involves scraping a flat jade or rose quartz stone over the skin in upward strokes to relax stiff muscles and promote tissue drainage. But unlike a traditional gua sha massage, it won’t leave bruise-like marks on your face as it’s done with a much lighter hand. It can also be done at home.

The facial gua sha that we see today is a modified version that uses much more gentle, relaxing movements that are more appropriate for the delicate skin on the face. A full facial gua sha routine typically takes 15 minutes, starting at the neck and working your way up to the forehead.

Gua sha hand-held tools are traditionally made from bones, stone and porcelain, however the tools are now more commonly made from crystals like rose quartz and jade.

The upward strokes of facial gua sha tools work to help manually drain sluggish, stagnant fluid that can cause puffiness and inflammation and can help to stimulate skin cell regeneration for a youthful, radiant glow.

REFA CAXA M1: Compact and portable, this convenient contouring tool helps visibly diminish puffiness and fascial tension for sharper, more enhanced-looking features on the go. Its precisely angled CAXA line and four miniature rollers were designed to scoop and knead your face, neck and décolletage from every angle for a lifted and rejuvenated appearance. Note: To allow for its small size, the ReFa CAXA M1 contains no solar panel and does not generate microcurrent. $99, refausa.com

LIFE + SCULPT BUTTERFLY STONE BY GEORGIA LOUISE: This beautifully crafted butterfly-shaped stone patented by Georgia Louise is designed to lift, drain and sculpt the face. Inspired by her massage technique, this tool perfectly fits and slots into all facial contours to create a deeply relaxing massage. The stone also has many healing and anti-aging benefits. $75, georgialouise.com

WILDLING EMPRESS STONE: The Empress Stone is designed to sculpt and reinvigorate the skin. Unlike other gua sha stones typically made from quartz, the Empress is composed of Bian stone, an amalgamate of 40+ minerals known for their healing properties. It is said to emit ultrasound pulsations, far infrared rays and negative ions—all of which are known for their antioxidant and anti-aging effects on cells and DNA. $65, wildling.com.