How to use a gua sha: a step-by-step facial routine
Short answer: Apply a facial oil or serum, hold the gua sha almost flat against your skin (at about 15–45°) and glide it upward and outward with light pressure, 3–5 strokes per area. Start at the neck, then work up the jawline, cheeks, under-eye area and forehead. A full routine takes about five minutes and works well 3–5 times a week.
Key takeaways
- Always use oil or serum so the tool glides instead of tugging.
- Hold the stone almost flat and move upward and outward.
- Light pressure only: facial gua sha shouldn’t hurt or leave marks.
- Five minutes, 3–5 times a week, is enough.
In this article
What you need
- A clean facial gua sha tool
- A facial oil or serum so the tool glides without tugging
- Clean hands and a freshly cleansed face
Best for beginners
A heart-shaped jade stone whose curves fit most areas of the face.
How to use a gua sha, step by step
- Prep your skin. Cleanse, then apply a few drops of facial oil or serum to your face and neck.
- Neck. Using the long flat edge, sweep from the base of your neck up to your jaw. Then sweep down the sides of your neck toward your collarbone.
- Jawline. Place the notched edge on your chin and glide along the jawbone toward your ear.
- Cheeks. Use the long curved edge to sweep from beside your nose out toward your ear, following the line under your cheekbone.
- Under the eyes. With the smallest edge and very light pressure, glide from the inner corner outward toward your temple.
- Brows and forehead. Sweep along the brow bone toward the temple, then upward from the brows to the hairline.
- Finish. Gently sweep down the sides of the neck once more, then clean your tool.
| Area | Edge to use | Direction | Strokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neck | Long flat edge | Upward, then down the sides | 3–5 |
| Jawline | Notched edge | Chin to ear | 3–5 per side |
| Cheeks | Long curved edge | Nose to ear | 3–5 per side |
| Under-eye | Smallest edge | Inner corner to temple | 3 per side, very light |
| Forehead | Long flat edge | Brows to hairline | 3–5 |
Darcy tip: Keep your gua sha in the fridge. A cool stone feels refreshing and gives your morning depuffing routine a little extra.
How hard should you press?
Use light to medium pressure on the face, enough to move the skin slightly without dragging it. Facial gua sha shouldn’t hurt or leave marks. Mild pinkness that fades within a few minutes is normal; bruising or broken blood vessels mean you’re pressing too hard.
How often should you use a gua sha?
3–5 times a week is a good routine for most people. Many prefer mornings, because gua sha can help reduce overnight puffiness. Evenings work well if you mainly use it to relax a tense jaw and face.
Which gua sha shape should you choose?
| Shape | Best for |
|---|---|
| Heart or wing | Face and neck; the most versatile |
| Comb edge or scraper board | Jawline and larger areas, face and body |
| Wooden tools | Body: legs, arms and shoulders |
| Set with an ice roller | Cooling plus massage in one routine |
Face and body
Gua Sha Facial and Body Scraper Board
A larger board for the jawline, shoulders and body.
Browse all tools in the Gua Sha collection.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using it on dry skin. Without oil or serum, the tool tugs at the skin.
- Pressing too hard. More pressure doesn’t mean better results on the face.
- Working over broken or inflamed skin. Skip active breakouts, sunburn, cuts and rosacea flare-ups.
- Not cleaning the tool. Wash it with mild soap and water after every use and let it dry.
Wondering what results to expect? Read Does gua sha work? for what the evidence says.
Frequently asked questions
Should you use gua sha in the morning or at night?
Both work. Mornings are best if you want to reduce puffiness; evenings are great for relaxing facial and jaw tension.
Can you use gua sha with acne?
Avoid areas with active, inflamed breakouts, because massage can irritate them and spread bacteria. You can still work around them on clear skin.
Is redness after gua sha normal?
Light pinkness that fades within minutes is normal. Lasting redness, marks or bruising mean the pressure is too strong.
Should you keep your gua sha in the fridge?
You can. A cool tool feels refreshing and may help with morning puffiness, but it isn’t necessary for gua sha to work.
Sources
- Nielsen A, et al. The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in healthy subjects. Explore, 2007.
- Dermatology Times. Social media mythbusters: at-home facial gua sha.
This article is for general information only and isn’t medical advice. If you have recently had fillers, injectables or a skin procedure, check with your provider before using facial massage tools.