Facial Gua Sha - Where To Begin?
You’ve seen beautiful gemstone Gua Sha being elegantly and meditatively glided around oiled faces on Social Media; the videos look so relaxing they make you feel a bit sleepy. You’ve heard that Gua Sha is a natural way to improve the health, vitality and youthfulness of the skin which sounds very appealing.
What’s more, you know that you just aren’t prioritising self-care (it’s minimal to non-existent) and lately have been feeling like your skin is somewhat dull and tired when you glance into the mirror. Maybe this is just what you need to lift your skin and spirits? In theory yes! But in practice? WHERE DO I START.
One of the most frequently asked questions I hear about Gua Sha is which tool do I need? How do I start? And that very much varies on what level you want to enter at, how much time (realistically) you have for practice, your budget and any specific goals you have or focus areas you would like to work on.
Below, I have put together a basic outline of the tools I currently stock which I believe are best suited to beginners and in many cases beyond. I hope it’s helpful. If you would like any additional support choosing a tool please contact me here.
Please note that the prices below reflect tools bought outside of class ‘bundles.’ To offer accessibility and best outcomes for your practice I have created tool plus class packages that reflect a significant discount compared with buying a tool and class separately. In many cases you pay just a little more to book a Zoom class when you purchase a tool. This offer is only available on packages. For more information on the classes I offer and Gua Sha tool packages visit here.
Absolute Beginner: Dwell Skin Indian Agate Heart Gua Sha Set, £44
This is my own produced and branded Gua Sha set based on the traditional heart gua sha you may have previously seen, but with a tweak in shape and length. This set, though very simple, spent a year in production to achieve the perfect high-quality starter tool for beginners. Slightly thicker in weight it is easy to hold, super smooth and made of Indian Agate which, in TCM stone medicine, has a natural affinity with the skin. This Gua Sha set is intended for use with either a single heart or two can be used together in synchronicity which feels amazing but also saves time. The routine we follow on the instruction cards and videos are traditional Gua Sha movements.
A beginners routine in a box
It comes complete with instruction maps in the box and links to two videos with voiceovers guiding you through a routine with one or two stones. Click here to preview the instructional videos
Time required: basic routine with one stone - around 8 minutes. With two stones - 5 minutes.
Additional support: more ideas and routines for these stones will be posted on my Instagram page @dwell_skin
Self-Care Classes: Heart To Heart Self-Care Zoom Class including an Indian Agate Gua Sha set, £85.
This set will work well for you if: you like the idea of Gua Sha but aren’t fully committed to learning a more in-depth routine. You want something fool-proof that you can use pretty much immediately, that is tactile, high quality and accessibly priced. You’re looking for overall skin vitality and lift. You feel that you’d benefit from the support of an instructional routine and videos.
My hearts work beautifully for all face shapes but feedback from customers with smaller faces, who have found other Gua Sha stones too big and cumbersome, has been really positive. They are wonderful for jaw tension and teeth grinders. Click through the link above to see a routine for jaw tension release.
This set functions as a complete introduction to Facial Gua Sha in a box and makes a great gift for yourself or a friend.
Beginner & Beyond: Cecily Braden Pocket Jade Gua Sha Stone, £35 (each)
This small but mighty Gua Sha Stone is named ‘Pocket Jade’ because it is so easy to carry around and has a range of edges that support different techniques and create different results. It was designed by Cecily Braden to be used with her Gua Sha Facial Fusion method, which fuses Gua Sha and integrated skin health techniques such as manual lymphatic drainage and connective tissue and muscle tension release. Its comb edge is particularly useful for working on lines and wrinkles.
Time required: 10-15 minutes for a shorter routine and 20-25 minutes for the full Awaken Gua Sha Self-Care routine.
Additional support: I have a story highlight on Instagram called Intro Gua Sha - you may need to scroll to the right on my highlights to locate it - which comprises of 3 rainbow circles with a Pocket Jade Tool in the centre. This set of stories takes you through a basic routine for this stone. I also have many other videos on my Instagram page if you scroll back supporting the use of this tool.
Self-Care Classes: If you would like one-to-one guidance I offer a 50-minute Get Started With The Pocket Jade Gua Sha Stone Zoom class and tool package, £75. This class offers a basic 10-15 minute, easy accessible beginners routine. Or, opt for the CJB Awaken Gua Sha Routine (a 12 step self-care class) via Zoom where we run through and learn a fuller, more advanced protocol together. 1.5 hours, £95 plus tool. This is a comprehensive class covering a full neck and face routine with targeted focus areas such as lines and deeper wrinkles. It is perfect for anyone wanting additional input and a great way to learn a really effective routine for beginner/intermediate level.
This tool will work well for you if: you want a stone that has the ability to grow further with your practice. The comb feature is very useful if forehead lines are a focus area you wish to work on.
This high-grade Rose Quartz Sculpting Spoon can be used as simply or intricately as you wish. Depending on your time and commitment level you can learn smaller snippets of routines from my Instagram grid or everything it has to offer in a dedicated Zoom Sculpting Spoon class. Whilst technically not a Gua Sha board, it can be used in similar ways and is my favourite choice for clients who have redness, skin sensitivity or rosacea.
Time required: you can ‘spot treat’ areas of tension like the jaw or smooth around the eyes in minutes. But a 10-15 minute routine will give you more options and better outcomes. For example, whilst focusing on the under eye area will have a de-puffing and smoothing effect, this will be magnified and made more effective if you first work on the neck and jaw. The whole neck and face can be worked with a spoon.
Additional support: I have several videos showing ways to use spoons on Instagram @dwell_skin and also have a Spoons Stories highlight. Choose my 50-minute Zoom Get Started With Spoons class and Rose Quartz Spoon (1) package to learn an easily accessible 10-15 minute spoons routine. For a comprehensive Spoons protocol I teach the CJB Sculpt & Smooth Self-Care Class which is a 2 hour in-depth (intermediate) class focusing on tension release, lymph drainage and sculpting the skin. Rose Quartz Spoon and class package, £135. Mookaite Spoon and class package, £155.
This tool will work well for you if: you are more concerned with puffiness and contouring, grind your teeth and have jaw tension. Have redness, rosacea or acne where the size of a spoon may be more preferable to enable work under and around the affected areas. If you suffer from anxiety and/or insomnia, gentle massage of the face and forehead before bed can be incredibly calming and soothing.
CJB Dark Green Nephrite Pro Tool, £130 CJB Mookaite Jasper Gua Sha Stone, £125
The much imitated, original and patented ‘ridge’ feature of the CJB Dark Green Pro Gua Sha Stone
The ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of Gua Sha tools. An angle and edge for every use!
The CJB Dark Green Nephrite Pro Tool is the choice of Gua Sha Facial Fusion trained professionals but can also be used at home. It’s the one of the most ‘advanced’ tools I stock (along with CJB Mookaite Gua Sha Stone) with the highest price point. It can be used in a more basic routine in the same manner as the Pocket Jade Gua Sha Stone and also has the ability to execute many intricate and detailed techniques. It is especially wonderful for sculpting and contouring. This tool is larger in size than my Indian Agate Heart Gua Sha and the CJB Pocket Jade Gua Sha Stone.
Time required: the Pro makes light work of a 10-15 minute routine but it really comes into its own, in my opinion, for longer practice sessions.
Additional Support: any techniques used for the Pocket Jade will work for this tool. I have a short intro routine video on how to use this tool here. Get Started with the Nephrite Jade Stone 50-minute class and tool package, £140. For a more in-depth routine choose the CJB Awaken Gua Sha Protocol and Nephrite Jade Pro Stone 1.5 hour Zoom class including tool, £165.
This tool will work well for you if: you have a larger budget and know you are likely to want to advance your practice beyond simple routines. You want all of the bells and whistles including an array of edges that can support different techniques and benefits. If skin smoothing or sculpting is high on your wish list this tool has a patented ‘squee-gee’ ridge that gently suctions the skin creating contour and lift. Finally, the Pro has a truly high-quality super-luxe feel on the skin and is beautifully ergonomic to hold in the hand.
The CJB Mookaite Jasper Gua Sha Stone offers a wide variety of detailed options for working the skin with different techniques. It can be used in a more basic routine but for my money comes into its own for more advanced routines. It’s a stone that will grow with your mastery of Gua Sha and is amazing for sculpting and contouring the skin. It has a very unusual small squared off angle that is wonderful for working around the eyes, helps to relieve sinus congestion and is a fantastic detailer for targeting fine lines. It also has a crescent shaped ‘squee-gee ridge’ for lymph drainage and fascia release. This tool is more petite than the Nephrite Pro Tool and one of my favourite Gua Sha stones for smaller faces, people blessed with high cheekbones or fine bone structure because it fits the facial contours so well.
Time required: the Mookaite Jasper Gua Sha Stone makes light work of a 10-15 minute routine but it really comes into its own, in my opinion, for longer practice sessions.
Additional Support: I have many videos on my Instagram grid that show this tool in action. With this stone you will also get a link to a video tutorial with Cecily Braden that walks you through a lymphatic drainage sequence and focus on areas of ‘concern’. If you then feel you would like to learn more, because this tool has so many angles and possibilities, choose the CJB Awaken Gua Sha Protocol and Mookaite Jasper Gua Sha Stone, 1.5 hour Zoom class including tool, £155.
This tool will work well for you if: you have a larger budget and are drawn to the idea of a tool that can grow with your practice. If skin smoothing or sculpting is high on your wish list this tool has a patented ‘squee-gee’ ridge that gently suctions the skin creating contour and lift. Mookaite Jasper has a stunning, highly polished finish that feels like silk on the skin. Luxurious and stylish it’s the ultimate treat but may not be the tool for you if you’re looking for a simple style of Gua Sha Stone to get started with.