10 Best Gua Sha Massage Tools – 2023
Unveil the ancient Chinese approach for soothing tired muscles and relieving pain.
Expertise: Product Reviews
Experience: 5 years
Sakshi Bahal has a Masters degree in English Literature from Calcutta University. She was a part of the editorial team of her school magazine. Her love for writing inspired her to take up literature a... more
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Gua Sha is an ancient therapy that uses various stone-based tools. It can be very relaxing for the mind and benefit your skin. Instead of going to the spa for a gua sha session, you can order the best gua sha massage tool and enjoy its benefits at home. To know more about gua sha and the massage tools you can use, read our article now!
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In This Article
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is a technique derived from the principles of ancient Chinese medicine. The practice uses a blunt tool, usually made of jade or bian stone, to apply pressure and scrape the skin. It may sound scary, but the process (when performed correctly) is not painful but therapeutic and relaxing. It helps alleviate pain and tension in the muscles. The treatment leaves light bruising on the skin in the form of red or purple marks, but these fade away in a few days.
The skin scraping technique of Gua Sha is meant to balance your ‘qi’ or ‘chi’ – the energy that flows in your body. When this qi is blocked, it causes pain and stiffness in the muscles. Gua Sha is practiced with the intent to help the energy flow freely for good health and well-being.
Benefits Of Gua Sha
Gua Sha massage therapy is based on a 2000-year-old tradition, which assures us that there must be a host of time-tested and proven benefits for the practice to be in trend today. Let’s find out what benefits you can enjoy from a Gua Sha massage.
Gua Sha positively impacts immunity, and this is among the most promising benefits of this therapy. It activates the immune system and encourages the body towards a faster recovery by speeding up the natural healing process (1). Gua Sha is sometimes used to treat a cold, fever, or lung issues.
The most well-known benefit of a Gua Sha massage is that it helps relieve muscle and joint pain. It aids the healing of musculoskeletal disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and tendon strain (2), (3).
The anti-inflammatory benefits of Gua Sha are also helpful for treating chronic pain, as it significantly reduces myalgia (4). Other inflammatory conditions, such as active chronic hepatitis, may also find therapeutic benefits from a Gua Sha treatment.
While Gua Sha may not look pretty, it is certainly far less invasive than a procedure like acupuncture. It is a slightly intense treatment, but certainly not too painful.
As an addition to your beauty and skincare regimen, Gua Sha can work wonders. A Gua Sha facial is excellent for treating fine lines and wrinkles and tightening sagging skin. It also adds a youthful glow to your complexion with regular use.
Read on to discover the best Gua Sha massage tools that you must try for a relaxing treatment at home.
Top 10 Gua Sha Massage Tools Of 2023
Best Lightweight:SACHEU Stainless Steel Gua Sha
The SACHEU Stainless Steel Gua Sha is made out of 100% stainless steel which gives a cool sensation while using it on the face. The tool helps achieve a natural contour by draining lymph fluids and clearing the lymphatic drainage system. It also relaxes the muscles as it relieves tension by clenched jaws and furrowed brows. It also helps with wrinkles and reduces overactive facial muscles. The gua sha is safe and suitable for all skin types and yields effective results in lifting and firming the skin.
Pros- Lightweight
- Durable
- Relieves muscle tension
- Stimulates blood circulation
- Offers cooling sensation
- Travel-friendly
- Suitable for home use
Cons
- Expensive
Pro TipAny part of the body can be treated using hand cups. Suction cups applied to the body create a partial vacuum that eases strain on the tissues and skin below.
Best For Home Use:Mount Lai The Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool
The Mount Lai The Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool is specially designed to help you achieve firm and lifted skin easily at the comfort of your home. The tool is based on the principles of traditional chinese medicine and is used to naturally contour the skin to reveal tight and glowing skin over time.
The tool is made of jade stone, which has balancing and naturally cooling properties. The regular usage of this tool will help you depuff your skin and make it appear a lot more younger and radiant. It also boosts blood circulation and helps your skin glow.
Pros- Relieves muscle tension
- Purifies skin pores
- Boosts collagen production
- Promotes blood circulation
- Portable
Cons
- May break easily
Best Heat Massage: Scienlodic Electric Gua Sha and Cupping Massager
The Scienlodic Electric Gua Sha and Cupping Massager offer a 3-in-1 design to enjoy handheld cupping therapy massage, heat massage, and gua sha scraping massage. It provides relaxation and eliminates fatigue, improving body flexibility in the comfort of your home.
The ergonomic design has a smooth curvature that provides a comfortable grip, making it easily controllable with one hand. It has six levels of suction to give you the best massage experience based on your needs. The cupping set heats upto 30-55 °C to suit different parts of your body. The scraping machine is portable for other parts of the body. It is suitable to treat poor physical conditions like long-term lack of exercise, mental stress, and physical dysfunction.
Pros
- Can be used for gua sha scraping, cupping therapy, and heat massage
- Suitable for home use
- Rechargeable
- Ergonomic design
- Easy to use
- Adjustable temperature upto 55°C
- Offers 6 levels of suction
Cons
- The suction might feel too strong for some people.
Best Travel-Friendly: Ms.W Electric Gua Sha Face Massager
The Ms.W Electric Gua Sha Face Massager is the perfect example of all good things in small packages. Don’t be fooled by the delicate appearance – this massager packs an impressive host of skin care benefits. It provides microcurrent therapy that boosts blood circulation, lifts sagging skin, improves elasticity, and helps skincare products to be absorbed better.
The ergonomic design features 3 round corners that can be used to trigger acupuncture points in varying intensity. You can use the device in different angles to target each area of the face and neck separately. The memory function works to remember the last-used mode – the device automatically enters that mode upon restart.
Pros
- 2-minute auto shut-off feature
- 2 massage modes
- Wireless
- Promotes cream and serum absorption
- 3 massage points
- Rechargeable
- Waterproof
- Travel-friendly design
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for massaging large muscle groups.
Best For Senstive Skin: GuaSha Vacuum Scraping Massager
The GuaSha Vacuum Scraping Massager improves your complexion, accelerates blood circulation, and keeps your skin and muscles healthy. The device comes with three replaceable heads, each of which is designed for a different purpose. The suction feature helps detoxify the body by aiding lymphatic drainage.
The massager is also useful for massaging the neck, shoulders, and back to relax these muscles and provide stress relief. Regular use boosts immunity, aids metabolism, and offers slimming benefits. It also helps your skin absorb creams and serums better, helping improve your overall skin health. The massager uses Chinese traditional acupoint massage for a variety of benefits.
Pros
- Made with eco-friendly material
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Control panel for ease of use
- 3 replaceable massage heads
- Affordable
- Rechargeable
- Portable
Cons
- Quality control issues
- Not convenient for large muscle groups.
Pro TipTo produce therapeutic petechiae (sha), place the tool on the skin and apply pressure while scraping the tool upward from the neck toward the cheeks.
Best Durable: Mikako Guasha Massage Tool
The Mikako Guasha Massage Tool is made of medical-grade stainless steel with smooth surfaces and edges. The ergonomic design and wavy handles provide a firm grip. This tool helps in lymphatic drainage and reconstructs toxins and fats. It eliminates muscle pain, inflammation, and fatigue from the neck, shoulder, and back while improving mobility. This massage tool increases blood flow and soft tissue microcirculation and helps make the skin healthy.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Easy to hold
- Lightweight
Cons
None
That was our list of electric Gua Sha massagers. But there are other tools and devices that you can get your hands on if you want a more traditional Gua Sha experience. Read on to discover Gua Sha tools that you can use on your face for a firm and sculpted skin.
Best Easy To Use:Roselyn Boutique Jade Roller And Gua Sha Set
This Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set is just what you need to add an extra zing to your skin care routine. It is a facial skin massager in the shape of a roller that you can use on your eyes, face, and neck to cool, tighten, and relax the skin in these areas. It is handcrafted with real natural jade – a genuine stone with an extremely smooth surface.
If you combine the jade roller with your favorite face cream, it will help your skin absorb the cream better. The package also includes a Gua Sha scraper, which uses a simple but efficient healing technique for your skin. This video will give you a better understanding about the product.
Pros- Made of natural jade
- Easy to use
- Low maintenance
- Stimulates collagen production
- Boosts elastin for firmer skin
- Helps minimize enlarged pores
Cons
None
Best For Reducing Puffiness:PLANTIFIQUE's Jade Roller & Gua Sha Set
The PLANTIFIQUE’s Jade Roller & Gua Sha Set is a skincare tool made of 100% authentic Jade stone, known for its balancing properties and for offering positive energy to the skin. The facial roller is designed to reduce puffiness, refine pores, eliminate toxins, and improve skin elasticity when used with oil or serum. On the other hand, the gua sha is intended to relieve tension, sculpt the face, and increase circulation, which can help combat aging effects and remove double chin. The product is easy to use, and it comes with a comprehensive ebook guide to help users maximize its benefits.
Pros- Premium-quality materials
- Easy to use
- Helps treat acne
- Offers anti-aging benefits
Cons
None
Best Affordable:Ginger Chi Jade Comb
The Ginger Chi Jade Comb is a multi-purpose tool made of natural premium jade stone. This tool is a traditional Chinese health care product that can improve blood circulation and skin rejuvenation, making you less stressed and more energetic. The unique 8-teeth design of the comb makes it more effective for scraping and helps release muscle tension, tighten the skin, and delay the visible signs of skin aging. The product is non-toxic, and it can be used on different body parts such as the face, head, neck, back, hands, and feet.
The product is hand-made and may have a different color or size from the photos due to the unique features of the natural jade stone. The comb is easy to use and comes with full instructions and tips on how to use it, making it a perfect starter for anyone interested in trying it.
Pros- Improves blood circulation
- Offers acupuncture relaxation therapy
- Offers anti-aging benefits
- Relieves muscle tension
- Easy to use
- Travel-friendly design
Cons
None
The Usmack Electric Gua Sha Scrapping Massager is crafted with a 2-in-1 design, and you can use it for cupping therapy and scrapping. It relieves muscle pain and makes your body feel relaxed. This device works effectively on your back, shoulders, legs, abdomen, and other body parts for the treatment.
The massager uses constant heat action and negative pressure to relieve the pain, promote blood flow, and relax the tight muscles. In addition, massaging also helps minimize inflammation and enhance the immune system. This device comes with a heat and pressure adjustment feature. The compact handheld device also offers a charging hole to charge the device when not in use.
Pros
- Rechargable
- Heat-adjustable
- Display function
- Convenient to carry
Cons
- May feel intense for some user
As with any other treatment, it helps to be informed about any associated risks and points of caution for your health and well-being. Please note these points before you start a Gua Sha treatment.
Side Effects/Risks Of Gua Sha Therapy
- The procedure is safe and not supposed to be painful. However, it also depends on your tolerance for pain. If done right, the treatment should feel intense but therapeutic.
- Gua Sha is a scraping procedure, so even if you don’t feel pain, your skin will look anything but pretty after treatment. The bruising that appears post-treatment is due to broken capillaries near the skin surface. These marks usually disappear in a few days.
- In some cases, people experience temporary indentation on the skin following a treatment.
- Technicians ought to sanitize their tools between sessions, so as not to transfer any bloodborne illnesses, especially if minor bleeding occurs during the treatment.
- Gua Sha must be avoided by those who have undergone surgery in the last 6 weeks or are under blood thinning medication.
- People with clotting disorders, deep vein thrombosis, an infection, or a wound must also avoid taking Gua Sha therapy.
- If you are unfamiliar with Gua Sha therapy, it would be better to be treated by a certified practitioner who is familiar with your health conditions. It also makes the treatment more productive and reduces unnecessary risks and complications.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Sakshi Bahal, has a keen interest in skin care and health devices. She is familiar with an ancient therapy known as Gua Sha that uses various stone-based tools and has therefore found a solution for the benefit of her readers. After reviewing multiple product reviews, she compiled a thorough list of the best Gua Sha massage tools. These products are therapeutic and relaxing and can help alleviate pain and tension in the muscles.
Gua Sha is certainly a raging beauty trend these days, but the massage benefits for your health are also quite impressive. Make sure to educate yourself before starting any new therapy. That was our round-up of the best Gua Sha massage tools of 2023. Take your pick, consult a certified practitioner, and try any of them to reap the benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gua Sha painful?
As stated earlier, Gua Sha is not meant to be painful. The massage may feel a little intense for some people, and this varies depending on the individual’s pain tolerance.
Can you do Gua Sha on yourself?
Areas like the middle and lower back, and back of the arms are slightly hard to reach by oneself. You may need assistance using your massage tool for those areas.
How often should Gua Sha be done?
That totally depends on your tolerance and requirement. Once a week is perfect, and you need to give your body and muscles time to recover after each session. As for jade rollers and Gua Sha stones on the face, you can use them more frequently.
Can Gua Sha cause breakouts?
When you first start Gua Sha on your face, you may notice that the skin is aggravated and breaking out. It is normal; this is just the skin detoxifying itself before moving to recovery.
What are gua sha tools good for?
Gua sha tools relieve muscle tensions, reduce inflammation and puffiness, and eliminate chronic body pains. Also, these tools help reduce sinus pressure by clearing congestion.
Do gua sha massagers work?
Yes. Gua Sha massagers regulate blood circulation and distribute energy throughout the body. They break down connective tissues and regulate muscle movements.
Can gua sha reduce double chin?
Yes. Gua sha tools release lymphatic tension from the facial muscles and help reduce double chin.
Is jade roller or gua sha better?
Although jade roller and gua sha help achieve almost similar results, gua sha offers a deep facial massage. Also, gua sha relieves muscle tension, promotes lymphatic drainage, and enhances your skin tone. In contrast, jade rollers offer skin-enhancing benefits immediately. Therefore, gua sha is better if you want long-lasting benefits.
How long till you see gua sha results?
Gua sha takes around two months to show skin improvements.
Are the results permanent?
No. Gua sha results are not permanent, but they are long-lasting.
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Chen, Tingting et al. “Gua Sha, a press-stroke treatment of the skin, boosts the immune response to intradermal vaccination.” PeerJ vol. 4 e2451. 14 Sep. 2016, doi:10.7717/peerj.2451
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27672506-gua-sha-a-press-stroke-treatment-of-the-skin-boosts-the-immune-response-to-intradermal-vaccination/ - Mohammadi, Shirin et al. “The effects of cupping therapy as a new approach in the physiotherapeutic management of carpal tunnel syndrome.” Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy vol. 24,3 (2019): e1770. doi:10.1002/pri.1770
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30697914-the-effects-of-cupping-therapy-as-a-new-approach-in-the-physiotherapeutic-management-of-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/ - Saha, Felix J et al. “Gua Sha therapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.” Complementary therapies in clinical practice vol. 34 (2019): 64-69. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.11.002
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30712747-gua-sha-therapy-for-chronic-low-back-pain-a-randomized-controlled-trial/ - Nielsen, Arya et al. “The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in healthy subjects.” Explore (New York, N.Y.) vol. 3,5 (2007): 456-66. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2007.06.001
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17905355-the-effect-of-gua-sha-treatment-on-the-microcirculation-of-surface-tissue-a-pilot-study-in-healthy-subjects/
