Get comfortable, grab your gua sha stone, and forget about the “instant lifting” promises. This article takes you through a realistic, science-backed routine: how, when, and for whom gua sha makes sense to make your skin look more rested, your complexion more even, and your jawline less tight. So - a weekly gua sha plan!
The miraculous weekly gua sha plan that Hollywood is talking about?! Gua sha is a traditional technique with roots in East Asia, in which you gently slide a flat, rounded tool over the skin. In modern studies, the effect on microcirculation (blood flow just below the surface) is most reliably confirmed: in one study, local blood flow increased up to four times after the treatment and remained elevated for at least 25 minutes. This explains the immediate “glow” and feeling of muscle relaxation.
A more recent, 8-week randomized trial compared gua sha with a roller. Both techniques improved facial contours, but in different ways: gua sha reduced muscle tension more, while the roller had a greater effect on skin elasticity. Translation: gua sha is great for “mechanically” resetting tense facial muscles (e.g., the jaw), while the roller smoothes the epidermis more.
What gua sha is not: a substitute for Botox or fillers. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons agree – gua sha can provide freshness, but it does not “erase” wrinkles like injectables. Realistic expectations = longer-lasting satisfaction.
Who should skip gua sha (at least for now)
Gua sha is used with gentle pressure and on healthy skin. If you have rosacea, dermatologists advise against rubbing and massaging, as it has been shown to worsen redness and irritation. Even with active acne breakouts, less friction—not more—is what helps.
Special caution is required for those taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) and clotting disorders – increased bruising is not a “self-care trophy”. In these cases, gua sha should be discussed with a doctor beforehand. Also, do not slide over open wounds, fresh burns or infections.
Have you just had Botox or fillers? Massage can temporarily worsen the results – wait at least a few days to two weeks (depending on the procedure) or follow your practitioner's instructions.
Tools, oil and hygiene: it's not about the crystals, it's about the technique
Jade, carnelian or steel? The material is less important than the fact that the edge is smooth and the tool glides without tugging. For “slip”, use a few drops of nourishing oil or serum, for acne-prone skin, choose a lighter, non-comedogenic oil. Before each use, wash the stone with warm water and a mild cleanser; this is the easiest way to avoid spreading bacteria to your face.
Perfect technique in three rules
- As tools: Hold it almost flat – about 15 to 30 degrees. This way, it “leans” against the skin and glides over the surface without wrinkling it.
- Direction: On the face, strokes run from the center outwards and slightly upwards; on the sides of the neck, downwards towards the collarbone to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
- Pressure and pace: less is more. Even, slow, one-way strokes (no “sawing”) with gentle to medium pressure. Especially under the eyes, the pressure should be feather-light.
Weekly gua sha plan: 3 short sessions, clear goals
How often? The most realistic and sustainable rhythm is 3–4 times a week, 3–10 minutes per session. This way you maintain the effect without overdoing it and unnecessary irritation. (Real Simple)
Monday – “Lymph reset” (5–7 min)
• 30 seconds of gentle strokes down both sides of the neck towards the collarbone.
• 5–8 strokes along the jaw on each side (from chin towards ear).
• 5–8 strokes across the cheeks (from the nostrils towards the shadows).
• 3–5 ultra-light strokes under the eyes (from the inner corner towards the shadows).
• 5–8 strokes across the forehead (from the center outwards).
Wednesday – “Sculpt & de-stress” (8–10 min)
Focus on the tense areas: masseter (jaw), between the eyebrows, back of the head. The pressure should still be gentle; the goal is to relax the muscles, not to fight them.
Friday – “Glow & depuff” (5 min)
Short circuit for the evening: neck, jawline, cheeks, under eyes, forehead. Finish with a cold stone (30-60 sec) on areas that tend to puff up.
After each session, gently massage in any remaining oil and always apply SPF in the morning. After use, clean the tool with a mild cleanser and warm water.
Step by step: a mini guide you can save / gua sha plan
- Clean your face and hands, apply oil/serum.
- Neck: 5–8 slow downward strokes on each side (not across the trachea).
- Jaw: with the “V-groove” of the stone, it slides from the chin towards the ear (5–8×).
- Cheeks: from the wings of the nose towards the shadows (5–8×).
- Under the eyes: extremely light pressure from the inner corner towards the shadows (3–5×).
- Eyebrows and forehead: from the center outwards (5–8×).
- Breathe – seriously. Slow breathing further relaxes muscle tone.
The direction, angle, and pressure are taken from clinical recommendations and dermatological guidelines for safe at-home facial massage. +
The most common mistakes (that will save you from irritation and pimples)
Too much pressure and “sawing” in both directions – the skin interprets this as an attack. Skipping oil or dragging over dry skin is also a recipe for redness. Only apparent pressure is allowed under the eyes. And remember: gua sha is not for covering up pimples with bruises; for acne and rosacea, gentle care is required, without rubbing.
What to expect – and when
Immediately after gua sha, you can expect less puffiness, clearer tone, and a feeling of “unlocked” jaws. In the long term – with regular practice – there may be subtler improvements in contours due to less muscle tension. This is consistent with the results that gua sha works primarily on muscle tone, while rollers work more on the elasticity of the epidermis. However: permanent wrinkle smoothing remains the domain of medical procedures, not bathroom stones.
Bonus: a scientific insight for skeptics
• Increased microcirculation after gua sha is measured objectively (laser-Doppler), with an increase in flow up to ~400 % in the first minutes after treatment. This is the explanation for the “post-treatment glow”.
• A dermatology review of articles warns that most claims online are more enthusiastic than proven – another reason to have realistic expectations.
