GUA SHA: THE AT-HOME BEAUTY TOOL FOR A FIRMER, MORE SCULPTED FACE
BY ALYSSA MONTEMURRO Oct 12, 2020
As gua sha treatments become increasingly more popular, skincare experts Georgia Louise Vassanelli and Elaine Huntzinger reveal everything you need to know about the centuries-old beauty ritual — from the best tools to use to the skincare benefits you’ll see.
What is gua sha?
“Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that involves ‘scraping’ the skin using a stone tool or bone,” says acupuncturist Elaine Huntzinger, whose gua sha facials remain some of the most sought-after treatments in Paris. “Traditionally it was used to remove ‘wind’ or ‘stagnation’ from the body. In TCM, ‘wind’ is now known as ‘catching a cold’, and ‘stagnation’ usually refers to pain. By scraping a certain area, we are able to move the qi [“energy”] and blood so circulation is improved. In TCM, by moving the qi and blood in the channels, we help break up this stagnant energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.”