In French, "Gua Sha" is commonly referred to as "Le Gua Sha" or "l'outil de massage Gua Sha". It is described as a beauty tool for facial sculpting (sculpter le visage), skin firming (raffermir la peau), and drainage. It is frequently marketed in France as a tool for "lifting" or "soin du visage".
Gua sha is an integrative therapy that uses a smooth-edged instrument to stroke areas over the skin with pressure. This noninvasive treatment, also known as dermal friction or scraping therapy, dates back thousands of years and is still used widely today in hospitals, the military and professional sports.
It is advisable to shower only at least four hours after a session. As gua sha opens the pores to expel toxins from tissues, immediate exposure to water or cold wind could result in “wind” invasion, which renders the session redundant with the returning of qi stagnation.
Clinical studies back up gua sha's effectiveness in decreasing pain, increasing circulation and reducing swelling in the body and many practitioners agree that facial gua sha creates the appearance of tighter, brighter skin, reduces under-eye puffiness and improves skin elasticity.
Choose a good gua sha tool and use it every morning for five minutes. First, apply a face oil or serum, then gently sweep the stone up the neck working your way toward the hairline, focusing on the cheekbones and jaw; this helps drain fluid downward and promotes circulation, explains Haifa.
The 4-2-4 skincare rule is a Korean-inspired double-cleansing method emphasizing timed steps: 4 minutes massaging an oil-based cleanser, followed by 2 minutes with a water-based (foam/gel) cleanser, and a final 4 minutes rinsing (alternating warm and cool water) to deeply purify pores, break down impurities, boost circulation, and prep skin for other products.
Whether you practice Gua Sha in the morning or night, your regular skincare and beauty routine—including a cleanser, serums, and moisturizer—should still be completed after a session to maximize the benefits.
So, instead, you want to use a spoon. It fits to the contours of your face like you can see here and also that flat edge will help the fluid move easier towards your lymphatic drainage sites. This is my face done. Why I traded my gua sha tool for a kitchen spoon...
The most common tool material, Jade is a naturally cool stone, which makes it ideal for gua sha which generates heat in the face. It's also credited with having a qi energy that is similar to the human body and with balancing properties.
With repeated treatments it can significantly reduce wrinkles, Gua sha Firms up sagging of the face and neck. It combats the formation of bags and dark circles under the eyes, Promotes a more radiant complexion.
Jojoba oil is one of the best oils for gua sha because it's highly skin compatible and non-pore clogging – making it ideal for all skin types, including sensitive. It is similar to the sebum (oil) our skin produces, which is why we consider it mother nature's perfect moisturizer.
Cooling Properties: Naturally cool, jade is soothing for the skin and helps reduce inflammation. Durability: Jade is a hard stone that withstands wear and tear, making it a long-lasting option. Traditional Use: Jade has been used in Gua Sha for centuries, providing a connection to traditional practices.
What is the 60 second ritual to get rid of wrinkles?
The 60 second ritual involves massaging your facial cleanser into the skin for a full minute before rinsing. The idea is simple: instead of quickly washing your face in 10 seconds, you give your skin the time it needs to truly benefit from the active ingredients and encourage circulation.
The "1% rule" in skincare refers to how ingredients are listed: above 1%, they're in descending order, but below 1%, brands can list them in any order, often placing beneficial-sounding ingredients higher for marketing, even if present in trace amounts, so always check ingredient lists for things like preservatives (e.g., phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate) to find the "1% line" and see where your "hero" ingredients (like niacinamide or peptides) fall below it. While this rule helps decode labels, a core practical skincare rule is consistency, or even simpler: cleanse gently when needed, apply products from thinnest to thickest, and focus on a purpose for each step, as over-cleansing or using too many products can harm skin.
So it's safe to say that a 10-step routine is probably too much for most people, and you're not falling behind the times! A three to five-step routine that you can do consistently every day is a good place to start. Focus on: A quality cleanser to wash away dirt and impurities.
Bottom line: Use Gua Sha based on your skin goals—morning for glow, night for repair—or do both for the best results. The Kansa Gua Sha + Myolift combo offers a powerful, non-invasive alternative to anti-aging treatments.
Our favorite pick is the Face Gym Multi-Sculpt, an easy-to-use, edged tool made from stainless steel, which helps depuff and define the face. We also love the Kitsch Stainless Steel Gua Sha, which is a beginner- and budget-friendly tool that helps sculpt around the eye areas, as well as aiding in lymphatic drainage.
Too much pressure should not be applied during the massage, as the facial skin is delicate. The right amount of pressure allows the microcirculation to be stimulated more effectively, without the risk of irritating the skin.
Korean jawline reduction (also known as V-line surgery) is a specialized facial contouring procedure that reshapes the lower face by surgically altering the mandible (jawbone) and chin.
Short answer: no. While Gua Sha might feel relaxing and help with some puffiness, it won't do anything for dynamic wrinkles or long-term aging. Botox, on the other hand, works by relaxing the muscles that cause those lines to form. If your goal is smoother, younger-looking skin, Botox is the better option every time.
