How is facial gua sha performed? In fact, facial gua sha can be done at home as long as you master the correct techniques and precautions.Here, we'll explore the steps and precautions involved in facial gua sha to help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of this practice. Facial Gua Sha Method Hold the gua sha tool with the thicker side facing your palm and the thinner side facing your palm. Maintain a 45-90 degree angle between the tool and the direction of scraping.
As you know, follow the opposite direction of skin laxity: move from the center outward, from bottom to top, from the chin toward the area below both ears, and from the nasolabial folds (where the mouth meets the cheeks) toward the hairline near the eyes—remember, near the hairline, not directly on it.
On the cheeks, scrape diagonally upward with a light touch. Apply slight pressure—adjust the force yourself—but avoid scraping until the skin turns red.
For the neck, scrape upward from the base near the shoulders toward the chin and ears.
Facial Gua Sha Steps
Evenly apply facial essential oil.
Use the gua sha tool to gently press facial acupoints from bottom to top: Chengjiang, both Dìcāng, both Yíngxiāng, Jùliáo, Quánliáo, both Bìtōng, Qīngmíng, Yìntáng, Zāinzhú, Yúyāo, Sīzhúkōng, Tóngzǐliáo, Qiúhòu, Chéngqì, Sìbái, and Tàiyáng.
Press facial acupoints with the gua sha tool: Yintang, hairline, Zan Zhu, hairline, Yuyao, hairline, Sizhukong, hairline, Taiyang, Yirong, Tinghui, Tinggong, Ermen.
Begin gua sha. The starting points, end points, and sequence of the gua sha routes are as follows: 1) Chengjiang (CH 24) — Tinghui (EX-HN 5); 2) Dicang (ST 4) — Tinghui (EX-HN 5); 3) Renzhong (CV 8) — Tinghui (EX-HN 5); 4) Yingxiang (LI 20) — Tinghui (EX-HN 5); 5) Bitong (BL 6) — Ermen (EX-HN 1); 6) Jingming (EX-HN 1) — Ermen (EX-HN 1); 7) Below Zanzhu (EX-HN 4) — Taiyang (EX-HN 4); 8) Divide the forehead into three sections — Taiyang (EX-HN 4).
Gently press and stroke the entire face with the gua sha tool.
Following the scraping route described in step 4, scrape from the forehead down to the jawline, moving from line 8 to line 1. Lift the left cheek, then lift the right cheek.
Gently press and stroke the entire face with the gua sha tool.
Neck route: Follow the lymphatic flow along the nerves, gently scraping from behind the ears to the collarbone to drain lymphatic fluid downward.
So, what should be noted when performing facial gua sha?
Precautions for Facial Gua Sha
For health maintenance and scalp scraping, no medium is required—scraping can be done directly over clothing, but the technique must be gentle.
Never perform scraping when excessively hungry, and avoid doing it on an empty stomach. The optimal time is 1 to 2 hours after a meal.
Avoid performing gua sha in air-conditioned rooms, near fans, or in cold environments.
Drink warm water or sugar-salt solution promptly after gua sha to replenish fluids and energy.
If you lack confidence in performing facial gua sha, consult a professional.