In this post:

Gua sha, while rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is now widely used as a gentle facial massage tool marketed for lymphatic drainage and sculpting. However, these beauty claims lack scientific backing.
Despite its popularity on social media, the evidence for facial gua sha’s long-term aesthetic benefits is limited; any effects (like reduced puffiness) are temporary and not structurally transformative.
Proven aesthetic treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, and skin rejuvenation techniques offer measurable, lasting results and are grounded in clinical research and anatomical knowledge.
At Smileworks Aesthetic Training HUB, we empower practitioners to distinguish trends from evidence-based practice, with expert-led training designed to elevate safety, skill, and patient outcomes.

From TikTok tutorials to Vogue’s celebrity Beauty Secrets series, gua sha has become the wellness world’s latest obsession. You’ve likely seen the countless videos of people gliding rose quartz stones across their face, talking about the promises of lymphatic drainage and facial sculpting. So many influencers and celebrities swear by their gua sha routines, claiming it’s the secret to a glowy, contoured complexion.

But here’s the thing…as aesthetic practitioners who’ve spent years studying facial anatomy and evidence-based treatments, we can’t help but wonder if we’re witnessing another genuine skincare breakthrough or fallen for another baseless fad?

While gua sha has deep roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, its modern application as a beauty tool is something completely different. In this blog post, we’ll cut through the noise and examine what the science actually tells us. We’ll pull insights from HUB founder and renowned injector Dr MJ Rowland-Warmann to make sure you get the most accurate information about this ancient practice turned Instagram phenomenon.

What is Gua Sha?

Before we dive into any claims, let’s look at what gua sha really is. The term comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where ‘gua’ means ‘to scrape’ and ‘sha’ refers to stagnation or blockages in the body’s energy.

In its original context, gua sha was used as a therapeutic technique to treat illness and musculoskeletal issues. Practitioners would use specialised tools to scrape the skin vigorously, often leaving red marks or petechiae. This wasn’t about beauty; it was about releasing what TCM practitioners believed to be trapped energy or ‘qi’ to restore balance and treat various ailments.

The modern facial gua sha we see today is far gentler. Instead of the intense scraping, contemporary gua sha involves smooth upward strokes using polished stones like rose quartz or jade. While it borrows its name from TCM, today’s facial gua sha is primarily marketed as a beauty and wellness practice rather than a treatment for illness.

How Gua Sha Works

Proponents of facial gua sha make some bold claims about its benefits. They say regular use can sculpt and contour the face, provide lymphatic drainage, boost circulation, and even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The typical technique involves applying a facial oil to the skin and then using a tool to perform upward and outward strokes. The most common areas targeted include:

Jawline
Cheekbones
Under-eye area
Forehead

Users are instructed to maintain light pressure and follow specific patterns that supposedly follow the natural lymphatic drainage pathways of the face.

Jade and rose quartz stones are the most popular choices, often marketed with additional benefits like ‘cooling properties’ or ‘energy healing.’ Some even believe that different stones provide different benefits, though there is no scientific evidence of this.

The Appeal of Gua Sha

It’s easy to understand why gua sha has captured social media’s attention. First, it’s incredibly accessible. You can purchase a gua sha stone for under £20 and use it at home without any professional training. Compare that to the price of routine facial treatments or dermal fillers, and it’s no wonder people are drawn to this affordable alternative.

The ritual aspect is just as appealing. In our fast-paced world, taking five to ten minutes each morning to perform a gua sha routine can feel like a mindful, self-care practice. It adds structure to a skincare routine and aligns perfectly with the current aesthetic landscape that increasingly emphasises holistic approaches to health and beauty.

As we’ve mentioned, social media also plays a big role. Influencers and celebrities regularly share their gua sha routines, often accompanied by dramatic before and after photos that show immediate lifting and sculpting effects. For their followers, it’s an opportunity to achieve celebrity-level results without the massive price tag.

But perhaps most importantly, gua sha feels like it’s doing something. The pressure and movement across the skin can be relaxing. Many report feeling refreshed and slightly less puffy afterwards, and it’s this immediate sensory feedback that makes it feel effective. Emphasis on feel.

What the Science Actually Says

Here’s where things get interesting…and potentially disappointing.

The scientific evidence supporting facial gua sha’s claimed benefits is currently limited, and what little research exists isn’t specific to skin health or facial aesthetics.

Some studies have suggested that traditional gua sha (the vigorous scraping kind) may have benefits for pain management, inflammation or circulation. However, these studies focused only on the original medical application of gua sha, not the gentle facial version that’s become popular in skincare routines.

When it comes to the specific claims made about gua sha, including lymphatic drainage, facial sculpting, or anti-ageing effects, there’s simply no robust scientific evidence to support them. The temporary de-puffing that some experience is more likely due to fluid movement rather than any structural changes to the face.

This is crucial to understand: there’s no proven effect on wrinkles, skin elasticity, collagen production, or long-term skin health. The improvements people report are typically temporary and require daily use to maintain, which should tell us something about the nature of these effects.

So…Does Gua Sha Actually Work?

The honest answer is it depends on what you mean by ‘work.’

Can gua sha provide temporary relief from puffiness and muscle tension, particularly around the jaw and eyes? Possibly. The gentle pressure and massage-like movements may promote circulation or provide a relaxing sensation that some may find beneficial.

However, if you’re expecting gua sha to reshape your face or provide long-term anti-ageing effects, you’re likely to be disappointed. There’s no scientific evidence to support these claims. The temporary improvements in puffiness or skin texture that some people experience are just that. Temporary.

What’s important to understand is that gua sha isn’t creating the structural changes that many hope for. It’s not lifting sagging skin, reducing wrinkles, or fundamentally altering your facial contours. Any perceived improvements are likely due to temporary fluid movement and the psychological benefits of a relaxing skincare ritual.

Gua Sha Alternatives

As aesthetic practitioners, we think it’s important to put gua sha in perspective by comparing it to treatments that are actually supported by scientific evidence. Gua sha simply cannot replicate the results of proven treatments.

Botox

Though the toxin has many uses, botulinum toxin is most commonly used for dynamic wrinkles and expression lines. This treatment has been around since the 1980s and has decades of research behind it. It consistently produces measurable, reproducible results that last months rather than hours.

Dermal Fillers

People usually turn to dermal fillers for volume restoration and facial contouring. These products are also rigorously tested, somewhat regulated (aesthetic regulations in the UK are still lacking), and can create genuine structural changes that last for months to years.

Advanced Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

Skin treatment like chemical peels, microneedling, or laser skin resurfacing have been proven to be incredibly effective for collagen stimulation and skin tone improvement. These procedures work at a cellular level to create lasting changes in skin quality.

Botox, filler, and advanced skin treatments are all supported by extensive research, performed by trained professionals who understand facial anatomy, and regulated by medical authorities. When we treat patients at our facial aesthetics clinic Smileworks Liverpool, we don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. We tailor the treatment to each patient’s unique facial structure, skin type, and aesthetic goals.

This level of personalisation and expertise simply can’t be replicated with a stone and some oil.

Final Takeaways

We’re not here to completely dismiss gua sha. If you enjoy it as a cultural practice or wellness ritual, that’s perfectly valid. Gua sha certainly won’t have any negative effects on the skin. The key is understanding what it can and cannot do for your skin.

If you’re looking for a real skin transformation and long-lasting results, Dr MJ’s advice is to seek expert guidance and evidence-backed treatments. A qualified aesthetic practitioner can assess your individual needs and recommend treatments that will actually deliver the results you’re hoping for. If you’re based in the Liverpool area, we’d love to see you for an appointment.

The most important takeaway? Know the difference between what feels good and what actually works. While gua sha might provide a pleasant morning ritual and temporary relief from puffiness, it’s not a substitute for proven aesthetic treatments. We’re not saying you should stop using gua sha by any means; just be aware of its limitations.

After all, your skin deserves evidence-based care, not just good intentions and social media trends.

Superb Aesthetic Training in the UK

At the Smileworks Aesthetic Training HUB, we believe that great injectors aren’t just good with a needle. They know how to separate fact from fiction, and they’re confident explaining why evidence-based treatments offer better, safer, and more reliable results. Whether you’re brand new to aesthetic medicine or looking to level up your skills, we have a wide range of online and hands-on courses tailored for every skill level.

If you’re just starting out in aesthetics, our Foundation Botox & Lip Filler course will give you the best foundations in aesthetic injecting. All of our courses start online, so you can jump into the course material right away!

It doesn’t stop there. For top-tier ultrasound learning, look no further than our Foundation Facial Ultrasound Course and our Advanced Facial Ultrasound Course, two must-haves for all injectors. Ultrasound is the single most important tool for ensuring safe and effective treatments every time.

For those looking for more in-depth training, we recommend booking a one-to-one mentoring session with Dr MJ. These sessions are 100% customisable, and you’ll receive personalised instruction based on your skill level and goals.

Join us at the HUB today. Let’s shape the future of aesthetic medicine together and ensure safe, effective, and transformative results for every patient.

Want to try out our courses before committing? Take advantage of our free trial for a taste of what learning at the HUB is like.

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