What happens if you do gua sha wrong?

Author: Armand Cummings  |  Last update: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Incorrect technique and excessive pressure Gua sha is a technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth, flat tool. This can cause bruising if the tool is used too harshly or in the wrong areas.

Can gua sha cause broken capillaries on the face?

Skin Irritation: One of the main risks associated with Gua Sha is skin irritation. If too much pressure is applied, or if the tool is used incorrectly, it can cause redness, bruising, or even broken capillaries. Individuals with sensitive skin should be particularly cautious.

Can gua sha damage skin barrier?

vaccination of the same antigen dose clearly showed that tissue damage caused by Gua Sha treatment is the direct cause of the adjuvanticity observed. Although not determined in this study, Gua Sha treatment may as well compromise the skin barrier function.

Can you gua sha too hard?

Unfortunately, there are many bloggers and influencers that are using gua sha tools like windshield wipers on their face, or are doing it way too hard and not supporting their skin. They do a huge disservice to the amazing practice, as it can make things worse by pushing lymph and blood to the center of the face.

What happens if you don't use gua sha correctly?

Incorrect technique and excessive pressure

Gua sha is a technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth, flat tool. This can cause bruising if the tool is used too harshly or in the wrong areas. The delicate skin of the face is especially susceptible to bruising from gua sha.

Tropical Jazz Paradise | Ocean Breeze, Sunset Serenity & Smooth Jazz Ambience

Do gua shas actually work for jawline?

Does facial gua sha actually work? The jury's still out on this one. Since it's relatively new to the world of beauty, so far there's no conclusive evidence that proves its efficacy.

Does Gua Sha ruin skin elasticity?

At its core, Gua Sha involves the gentle scraping of a smooth-edged instrument across the skin. Discover how this ancient practice can not only boost circulation and improve skin elasticity but also help in reducing puffiness and softening fine lines.

What are the marks on muscle scraping?

Yes, muscle scraping will leave marks. The Sha of Gua Sha means petechiae, or the small red spots, that appear on the skin are from hemorrhages of the capillaries. This is a natural response from the body and indicates that the inflamed muscled is healing. At times the muscle site can appear to be bruised.

Does Gua Sha drain your lymph nodes?

Along with the dry brush, gua sha is a powerful tool for lymphatic drainage. If lymphatic drainage is your main goal, it's best to start by massaging (or opening) your primary lymph nodes. Spend a few minutes moving lymphatic fluid in your armpits, neck, groin, and abdomen.

How long does gua sha purging last?

If you are not used to facial massage and/or using face oils or facebalms, you can experience a few breakouts for the first 2-3 weeks of doing gua sha. It's perfectly normal and it will subside again as long as you continue the gua sha massage at least 3-4 times a week.

Is there a difference between cheap and expensive gua sha?

while low-cost plastic Gua Sha tools are convenient for occasional use, high-end mineral stone tools - especially precious jade - provide a noticeably superior Gua Sha massage experience that's both more effective and deeply relaxing.

Can you overdo guasha?

Light Touch is Key: Use gentle pressure for optimal results—overdoing it can lead to irritation rather than relaxation.

What not to do after guasha?

Vigorous Exercise. A common misconception is that you can jump right back into your regular routine, which often includes exercise. However, you should consider holding off on your rigorous gym sessions. Gua Sha stimulates the flow of blood and qi, the life energy according to Chinese medicine, throughout your body.

Should you gua sha your neck up or down?

Perform Gua Sha. When performing Gua Sha, you should start gently scraping from your neck and work your way up. This way, you'll prevent fluids from getting trapped in your skin.

What are the side effects of gua sha?

The most common side effect of gua sha is minor bruising, which is, in fact, part of the point of the process. The bruises can last a few days or a few weeks, depending on the person's overall health, skin tone and natural healing processes.

Does gua sha release muscle knots?

Gua sha, also known as scraping, is a healing technique that uses a smoothed-edged bone or stone tool to release muscle tension. Also called the Graston Technique™, which is performed by athletic and physical trainers, gua sha dates back to Eastern Asian medicine.

Why is my back red after gua sha?

As the gua sha massage tool used by the practitioner, it applies downward pressured strokes over a treatment area on your body. And, these strokes raise small, red-rash or bruises marks to appear on your skin – which is the petechiae. It also means that it causes extravasation of blood from peripheral capillaries.

Is there a wrong way to use gua sha?

Alright, now let's talk about best practices and gua sha tool mistakes to avoid.
  1. Don't Use Your Gua Sha Tool On Dry Skin. ...
  2. Avoid Applying Too Much Pressure. ...
  3. You're Not Moving Your Gua Sha Tool In The Right Direction. ...
  4. Avoid Holding Your Gua Sha Tool at the Wrong Angle. ...
  5. Your Not Using Your Hands.

Does gua sha ruin Botox?

Leave those areas in peace and let those injections shine, and gua sha over areas on your face that haven't been injected. If you have super fresh injections, avoid doing any kind of gua sha all together for a few weeks as the technique could move the Botox or filler underneath the skin, and we don't want that!

Can gua sha help hair growth?

Using a Gua Sha for scalp massages enhances product penetration and stimulate blood circulation in the scalp. This improved circulation delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, fostering healthier and stronger hair growth.

Can gua sha get rid of double chin?

This may make your face appear temporarily slimmer and improve your complexion. It is important to understand that it will not get rid of fat deposits contributing to a double chin or providing any long-term, significant changes to your facial contours.

Is gua sha fake?

There is no clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of gua sha. In use, it nearly always damages the skin. Negative side effects of gua sha range from minor ones—including dermatitis, burns and blood in the urine—to rare major effects including bleeding in the brain and severe injuries requiring skin grafts.

Does chewing gum help the jawline?

Some believe it may help you get a chiseled jawline, reduce facial fat, or a double chin. However, there is no scientific research to support these claims. Chewing gum, as a type of facial exercise, might give your facial muscles a minor workout, but it is unlikely to create noticeable changes to your jawline.

Previous article
Will my tattoo be ok if I accidentally scratch it?
Next article
Will dye wash out of bleached hair?