You’ve probably seen the beautiful jade or rose quartz tools sliding gracefully across someone’s face on social media. But what if I told you that this popular self-care ritual, known today as facial gua sha, actually has roots in ancient, therapeutic medicine?

Let’s go back to where it all began.

Gua Sha: A Healing Tradition Rooted in Survival

Gua Sha (刮痧) literally means “to scrape (gua) away disease or stagnation (sha).”
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this practice was never meant to be just cosmetic. It was a powerful healing technique used across generations and households for acute illnesses, body pain, and immune support.

Practitioners would use a flat tool such as a spoon, bone, or coin to vigorously scrape the skin along specific meridian lines until “sha,” or redness and petechiae, appeared. This wasn’t a rash. It was a therapeutic release.

The goal was to move stuck Qi and blood, release heat and toxins, and restore the body’s natural healing flow.

Traditionally, body gua sha was used to treat:

• Colds and flus
• Fevers
• Sore throats
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Back pain
• Headaches
• Muscle stiffness
• Poor digestion
• Menstrual cramps

This scraping action stimulated microcirculation, encouraging the body to eliminate stagnation and jumpstart immune function.

Facial Gua Sha: The Evolution of an Ancient Practice

In modern times, gua sha has been reimagined for the face with a softer, gentler approach that reflects both respect for tradition and a deepened understanding of beauty and energy flow.

While we no longer create “sha” on the face, since we want glow not bruising, facial gua sha still honors its original purpose: to move Qi and blood, remove stagnation, and support healing.

What Happens When You Use Facial Gua Sha?

✔️ Activates Meridian Pathways
Facial gua sha stimulates the energetic channels (meridians) that run through the face and neck. This harmonizes organ systems and promotes whole-body wellness from the outside in.

✔️ Stimulates the Lymphatic System
It helps move lymph, the body’s drainage system, to eliminate toxins and reduce puffiness, especially around the jawline and under the eyes.

✔️ Boosts Circulation of Qi and Blood
Healthy skin needs Qi (vital energy) and Xue (blood) to flow smoothly. Gua sha brings fresh blood to the surface, delivering nutrients, oxygen, and glow.

✔️ Reduces Muscle Tension and Expression Lines
From clenching our jaw to furrowing our brows, stress shows up on our face. Gua sha helps relax those overworked muscles and softens fine lines over time.

✔️ Supports Skin Health from Within
Regular practice improves skin tone, reduces dullness, and boosts collagen production by supporting internal balance.

Why Everyone Needs Gua Sha

In our modern world filled with screen time, stress, poor posture, and lymph stagnation, gua sha is more essential than ever.

It’s more than a skincare trend. It’s a daily ritual of healing. A way to connect with your body, slow down your nervous system, and activate your glow naturally.

Want to Try It With Me?

Follow along with this facial gua sha video by Dr. Felice Chan.

You’ll learn how to activate the Lung, Stomach, and Bladder meridians on the face and neck, drain lymph, and open up the jawline in just a few minutes a day.Gua sha is a reminder that your body knows how to heal itself. It just needs your presence, your breath, and a tool that’s been trusted for centuries.