How to Use a Gua Sha Stone: An Everyday Ritual
You might have seen the eye-catching gua sha stone on beauty store shelves or in Instagram posts from your favorite wellness influencers. Aside from being a beautiful tool to display in your space, the gua sha stone is an integral tool used in the ancient Chinese healing method of gua sha, which uses light to moderate pressure with the gua sha stone on your skin to boost circulation and glow, increase lymphatic drainage, reduce muscle tension, and decrease puffiness in the skin. This tool can be used by yourself or by a professional.
In combination with your daily skincare routine, the gua sha stone creates an added mindful moment for yourself to center before the day begins or unwind at the end of your evening. We asked Bianca Melas, a certified clinical naturopath and Alo Moves instructor, to show us how to properly use a gua sha stone. Below, she shares the ins and outs of gua sha and the perfect everyday gua sha ritual you can try for yourself.
How to Use a Gua Sha Stone
You can use a gua sha stone on yourself by taking a clean stone in hand and applying light to moderate sweeping strokes across your clean, moisturized skin. Use the stone’s different edges to your benefit — a long edge for gliding strokes and grooved edges for small, concentrated areas. For an in-depth gua sha tutorial for your face and neck, try this 5-minute gua sha ritual as the perfect relaxing addition to your daily self-care routine.
Prepping for gua sha.
Begin with a clean gua sha stone. Make sure your face is washed and you’ve applied your serum, followed by your moisturizer or oil on top. This moisturizer or oil is essential for allowing the gua sha stone to glide easily over your skin without tugging.
Centering.
Dim the lights, close your eyes, and place your hands over your heart, taking a few deep breaths. It’s important to be in a relaxed environment and calm headspace before beginning your gua sha ritual. When you’re ready, open your eyes and take a few shoulder rolls.
Lymphatic activation (no stone needed).
“From about our neck up we have about 200 lymph nodes, and from the neck down, we have about 400,” says Melas. To encourage movement of the lymph fluids, start by taking your hand right above your clavicle on one side and sweep just your fingers side to side for 6-10 strokes.
Then, begin to press your fingers down above the bone in a pumping sensation, like a heartbeat. Repeat on the other side of your clavicle.
Finally, press both sets of fingers up and down the sides of your neck muscles, the main lymphatic pathway for removal and detoxification. Carry that pressing action along your chin below your jawline and up the sides of your jaw, then to the front of and behind your ears.
Land your fingertips at the sides of your scalp and work your fingertips in a circular motion, closing your eyes.
4. Gua sha for the neck.
Take the inside curved edge of the gua sha stone and apply it at the back of your neck, working with medium pressure in upward strokes to tip of your skull. Move the stone in a side-to-side shimmy at the top. Repeat this for 5-10 strokes.
Now, apply the same upward strokes at the side of the neck muscles with medium to firm pressure for 5 to 10 reps. Repeat on the other side.
Then, using a featherlight touch, sweep the long inner edge down the front side of your neck muscle to your clavicle, working in soft and slow movement. Repeat on the other side of your neck.
Finally, work at the front of your neck by sweeping that same edge in light, upward strokes to the tip of your chin.
5. Gua sha for the face.
Using light to medium touch with the small, grooved edge of the gua sha stone, glide it along one side of your jawline upwards at a 45-degree angle as the other hand pulls back against your chin. Repeat two more times, and stop in front of your ear to give it a small shake.
Now, glide the grooved edge down the same side of your neck to your clavicle.
Next, use the longest side of the gua sha stone against the lower half of your face, with your other hand holding onto the middle of your face for support. Gently sweep the stone to your hairline with light to medium pressure three times, shaking it gently at the hairline.
Bring the tip of the gua sha stone to your orbital bone under one of your eyes. With the other hand on your nose, glide the stone toward the hairline, sweeping toward your temple and ending the stroke with a gentle shimmy. Repeat two more times.
For the eyebrows, place the short, grooved edge against your brow bone with the other hand between your eyebrows. Glide the stone up and over toward the hairline three times, giving it a wiggle at the end.
For the forehead, place the long inside curve against your forehead and work with medium pressure toward the hairline in upward motions. Run the stone in a zig zag motion over any fine lines to release tension. Work the other side of your forehead.
To finish, come down all the way through the side of the face to the clavicle and repeat these instructions on the other side of the face.
6. Gua sha for the lips.
To bring blood to the surface and reduce fine lines around the lips, start by sweeping the long edge of the gua sha stone side to side on your lips, holding one edge of your lips with your other hand.
Then, holding the stone vertically, work it up and down in zig zag lines across your lips.
7. Finish with grounding.
Close your eyes, bring your hands to your shoulders, and give yourself a massage. Bring your hands back to your heart, setting your intention for the day.
TIP
Wet your gua sha stone if you use it in the morning to give an added cooling and depuffing effect.
Gua Sha FAQ
Can you do gua sha with acne?
Yes, though Melas suggests steering clear of active breakout sites. If you have active acne on your face, be super gentle with touch or avoid that area so you don’t aggravate existing inflammation.
How often should you use a gua sha stone?
Melas recommends using a gua sha stone daily to bring out your inner and outer glow.
What happens if you use gua sha without oil?
It is recommended that you use a gua sha stone after applying your moisturizer or oil so the stone has something to glide against without tugging at your skin. The sweeping motion should feel soft and fluid.
Should I do gua sha morning or night?
While you can do gua sha in the morning or at night, Melas recommends doing gua sha in the morning to wake up your face and boost your energy.
“Doing this technique in the morning is quite incredible, especially if you wake up feeling puffy or fluid-y through the face,” says Melas. “It helps to build on our circulation bringing blood to the surface, and when there is fresh blood, it means that we’re starting to work on the skin cells of our body, helping with that glow and rejuvenation. You can notice the most amazing improvements, like a complete face lift."
In addition to the physical benefits, Melas appreciates the energetic lift it provides. If you’re someone that needs extra help waking up, this could do the trick. “It really sets the tone for the day, starting you off in the parasympathetic nervous system” — the system responsible for relaxing your body during times of stress.
Do I wash my face after gua sha?
No — experts recommend washing your face before you practice gua sha so you have a clean canvas to work on. Start by washing your face, follow up with an optional serum, then finish with oil or moisturizer to give your gua sha stone something to glide on.
Can you gua sha too much?
Once or twice a day is recommended, but even just one a day can bring you consistent benefits. The most important thing is that you don’t overdo it with the pressure — too much pressure could cause bruising and tug at your delicate skin.
How to wash your gua sha stone
Keep it simple — water and gentle soap is all you need to clean your stone.
Does gua sha help with eye bags?
Yes, using the gua sha around the orbital bone can increase lymphatic drainage around the area, which reduces puffiness around the eyes.
Can gua sha cause wrinkles?
If you perform gua sha correctly, it shouldn’t cause wrinkles. However, avoid pressing too hard and gliding against dry skin to prevent adverse effects. A gentle to moderate touch is all you need. “The lymphatic system is quite close to the skin’s surface, so you don’t have to press so hard,” says Melas.
How long should I gua sha?
Five minutes of gua sha on a consistent, daily basis is all you need to keep that consistent glow. This routine above by Bianca Melas takes about 3 to 5 minutes and can be made longer with the addition of massage and meditation.
Should I apply moisturizer after gua sha?
No, Melas recommends putting moisturizer on before your gua sha ritual to give the stone something to glide on and to help your skin absorb its effects.
Which shape of gua sha is best?
While there are a variety of gua sha stone shapes, look for one that includes a long curved edge, pointed tip, and teeth edge so you can hit a variety of areas in the best possible way.
Want to practice this gua sha routine with Bianca Melas? Try her Glow With Gua Sha class for free on Alo Moves with a 14-day trial.