Gua sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that uses pressure from a tool to stimulate energy flow throughout the body. It helps with everything from detoxification to skin improvement.
There are many different types of gua sha tools available, but not all of them work as well as others. Some are also made for different purposes and benefits.
In this article, I'll help you choose the best gua sha tool for yourself. We'll compare different types of gua sha tools made of various materials, as well as shapes and sizes.
How to Choose the Best Gua Sha Tool
Choosing a gua sha tool can be confusing because there are so many options out there. It's important to understand the different options because they offer certain benefits.
When selecting a gua sha tool, the three main factors to consider are:
- What type of material it's made of
- Shape of the tool
- Thickness of the tool
Each of these factors will have an impact on your gua sha experience and results.
Material
Many of the popular gua sha tools out there are made with stone and metal. Different stone crystals offer specific energies and healing properties that may benefit your overall health.
When it comes to gua sha stones, there are some stones that will be more durable than others. There are low-grade to top-grade stones to consider too in case of accidental drops. Low-grade stones are not as sturdy and can break more easily.
1. Jade
Jade gua sha tools are usually the more affordable stone, but will vary in quality and grade more. Lower grade jade can run the risk of being less sturdy.
Gua sha tools made of jade are said to help with:
- Skin smoothing
- Skin lifting
- Reducing redness
- Reducing inflammation
- Promoting peace and calmness
2. Rose Quartz
Rose quartz stone offer a beautiful pink coloring that promotes feelings of joy and happiness.
People use rose quartz tools because they're said to:
- Increase blood flow
- Produce more collagen
3. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a popular material because they naturally offer an extra cooling effect. People like to put stone tools in the refrigerator to keep them cool, but with stainless steel, there's no need to do that.
Tools made from stainless steel are more durable as well. There's no risk of it breaking when it accidentally drops.
Check out the Kanjo Pain Relief Gua Sha Myofascial Tool as a great stainless steel option to use gua sha with.
4. Bian Stone
Bian stone is a unique stone said to contain over 30 healing minerals and trace elements to help improve circulation.
Bian stone gua sha tools are often used for the face for energizing and lifting tired facial skin.
5. Black Nephrite Jade
Black nephrite jade is a higher grade jade that is denser, so it will be sturdier. These stones are either black or very dark green.
Gua sha tools made of black nephrite jade are said to help with:
- Improving circulation
- Energizing the skin
- Reducing puffiness
6. Black Obsidian
Black obsidian is another high-quality stone that offers a variety of benefits. It's a natural volcanic rock that has been heated by lava and then rapidly cooled. This process creates a dense, hard surface that makes it ideal for gua sha.
A black obsidian gua sha tool helps with:
- Reducing puffiness
- Promoting lymphatic drainage
- Firming and lifting facial skin
Shape
Gua sha tools come in many different shapes. The shape you choose depends on which part of the body you want to work on. Some tools come with unique sides, curves, and edges for skin and massage stimulation.
A gua sha tool can be a facial tool or a body massage tool depending on its shape. A facial tool is shaped with curved edges specifically for facial muscles.
For example, if you want to use gua sha for firming and lifting facial skin, you'll want to find a tool with smooth curves that will align nicely with your natural facial contours.
There are also gua sha tools with combed sides that allow you to easily stimulate the scalp, while working on multiple pressure points at once. That can help with improving blood circulation.
The way a gua sha tool is shaped will also affect how easy the tool is to grip, because some will be easier to hold than others.
Thickness
The thickness of the gua sha tool also matters. A thicker gua sha tool will usually be easier to hold and scrape with.
A heavier tool will also feel more comfortable in your hand. Gripping and scraping will usually make it easier to press against your skin and to get a deeper massage when needed.
How to Clean Gua Sha Tools
Cleaning your gua sha tool is important because there can always be some bacteria that accumulated on the tool.
If you don't clean your gua sha tools regularly, they can also start to smell bad. You should wash them after every session to remove any oils and dirt that have built up.
Follow these steps to easily clean your gua sha tool:
- Soak your gua sha tool in warm water for a minute to loosen the oil and serum that was used.
- Use soap to clean the gua sha. A facial cleanser can work well too because they're already made to remove oils. Make sure to get all the edges.
- Rinse off the gua sha tool with water, ensuring there's no soap leftover.
- Use a soft, microfiber cloth to dry.
Gua Sha Tools FAQs
Is a Face Roller or Gua Sha Better?
Face rollers are better for gentler treatments, while gua sha offers deeper stimulation and effectiveness. If you have more sensitive skin, rollers will cause less irritation than gua sha. But rollers will be less effective because they don't go as deep in stimulating blood flow and circulation.
Is Gua Sha Better than a Jade Roller?
Gua sha is better than a jade roller because jade rollers won't provide the same deep stimulation as a gua sha. Gua sha will allow for better targeting of specific areas and help with lymphatic drainage. But if you want to get the benefits and energies from jade, you can get a jade gua sha tool.
Can You Use Gua Sha Without Oil?
You can use gua sha without oil, but the results may not be as good. Using gua sha without an oil base will leave your skin feeling dry, tight, and red due to irritation from the skin pulling. It's always best to use gua sha with a lubricating serum, oil, or moisturizer.
Sources:
- Byrdie: https://www.byrdie.com/best-gua-sha-tools-5084349
- Good Housekeeping: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g39047346/best-gua-sha-tools/
- Mind Body Green: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/gua-sha-tools