Gua sha for the face – benefits, stones, and instructions for use

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese treatment technique where a stone is massaged along the skin with specific strokes. For the face, gua sha improves circulation, reduces puffiness, and brightens the skin. The technique is easy to learn and suitable for a daily ritual.

What is gua sha?

Gua sha (pronounced "gwa shaw") literally means "to scrape away evil". As a facial treatment, it is much gentler than body gua sha – the purpose is not to cause redness but to activate lymph nodes, reduce swelling, and revitalize the skin.

Benefits of gua sha for the face

• Improved circulation – the skin receives more oxygen and nutrients
• Reduced puffiness – especially under the eyes in the morning
• Lymph node activation – helps the body eliminate waste products
• Tension relief – jawline, temples, and forehead relax
• Skin brightness – regular use brightens the skin over time

Gua sha stones – materials and shapes

The most common materials are jade stone, rose quartz, and black stones. Luonkos Hana Emi gua sha is shaped to conform to the bones of the face, making it precise and effective to use.

Step-by-step instructions for use

1. Cleanse your face – start with clean skin. Luonkos oil cleansing cake is well-suited before a gua sha treatment.
2. Apply facial oil – use Luonkos Infinity or Radiant facial oil.
3. Start from the neck – activate the lymph nodes in the neck area first.
4. Jawline – strokes from the corner of the jaw to in front of the ear, 3–6 times per side.
5. Cheekbone – from the side of the nose towards the base of the ear.
6. Under-eyes – very gently from the inside outwards.
7. Forehead – from the midline to the temples, top to bottom.

How often?

The best results are achieved with regular use. Start with 2–3 times a week. 5–10 minutes at a time is sufficient. You can see the first results after just a few days.

Remember to always clean your gua sha stone after use with mild soap and dry it thoroughly.