The Best Gua Sha Tools: Jade, Stainless Steel and Rose Quartz Picks

The honest answer is that nobody knows for faces. Healthline says scientific study on gua sha is limited and larger studies are needed. The studies it cites, a 2011 neck-pain trial of 48 people, a 2017 low-back pain study of 12 and a 2024 Parkinson's trial, are about pain, not facial appearance. The Yorkshire Post says the sculpting claims made by influencers are not supported by the evidence it presents. What you can reasonably expect is a few minutes of gentle facial massage.

No material is proven better than the others. Jade and rose quartz are stones: Rena Chris says its jade feels cool and glides, and BAIMEI says its rose quartz can be chilled in the fridge. Stainless steel is the practical choice if you want something that is easy to clean and, per Nuanchu, resistant to breakage. Pick the one you will clean and use, and remember that the technique, light pressure at a 15 to 30 degree tilt, matters more than the material.

Neither Healthline nor the Yorkshire Post gives a fixed schedule. The Yorkshire Post's routine repeats each stroke about five times per side, which takes a few minutes. Healthline says gua sha should not be painful and should not leave petechiae on the face, so if your skin looks red or marked, use less pressure and give it a rest.

It can if you press too hard. Healthline lists temporary petechiae (small red or purple dots), minor bleeding, skin indentation and mild bruising as possible side effects that fade in a few days. On the face, Healthline says gua sha should not cause petechiae at all, so use light pressure with the tool tilted about 15 to 30 degrees. The Yorkshire Post also notes that bruising is possible.

Healthline says to check with a healthcare professional first if you have a chronic condition, take blood thinners, have a clotting disorder, or take medicines that affect blood cell production. The Yorkshire Post, citing WebMD, adds that people with diabetes, circulation problems or who are pregnant should speak to a doctor before trying it. Healthline also says to avoid open wounds and irritated skin.

Yes. Healthline says to apply oil or serum first so the tool glides, and all three listings say to use the tool with oil, serum or lotion. Without slip, the tool drags on the skin. Our how to use gua sha guide covers three face oils to pair with it and walks through the stroke map from the Yorkshire Post.