The Ancient Art of Gua Sha — Your Complete Beginner's Guide

Gua sha has been used in Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years — and for good reason. This simple stone tool, when used correctly, can transform your skin's appearance, reduce puffiness and sculpt your facial contours naturally.

What is Gua Sha?

Gua sha is a facial massage technique using a smooth, flat stone — typically rose quartz, jade or bian stone — to scrape gently across the skin in upward, outward strokes. The word "gua" means to scrape, and "sha" refers to the redness that appears during more intensive body treatments (facial gua sha is much gentler and does not cause redness).

Benefits of Daily Facial Gua Sha

When done consistently, gua sha can help reduce puffiness and morning bloating, lift and sculpt the jawline and cheekbones, improve lymphatic drainage and circulation, release tension held in the jaw, temples and brow, and improve product absorption into the skin.

How to Use Your Gua Sha Tool

Start with clean, moisturised skin — always use a facial oil or serum before your gua sha tool. Hold the stone at a 15-degree angle flat against your skin. Use light to medium pressure and always stroke upward and outward, never downward. Begin at the neck, then move to the jaw, cheeks, under-eye area and brow. Do 3–5 strokes per area.

The Mahamayi Ritual

At Mahamayi, we recommend using your gua sha as the final step of both your morning and evening ritual. In the morning it depuffs and awakens. In the evening it releases the tension of the day and signals to your nervous system that it is time to rest.

Shop our gua sha tools in the Gadgets collection.