36
Contents 1. What Is Facial Gua Sha? ................................................................................................................................ 4
What are the benefits of facial gua sha? ......................................................................................................... 4
Why is the gua sha tool better than my fingers?.............................................................................................. 4
Is facial gua sha painful? ................................................................................................................................. 5
Does facial gua sha cause bruises? ................................................................................................................ 5
Why this tool? .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Is facial gua sha for me and my skin type? ..................................................................................................... 5
2. Know the Basics .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Acupressure Points ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Reflexology Zones........................................................................................................................................... 9
Lymphatic System ......................................................................................................................................... 11
3. Telltale Signs on Our Face ............................................................................................................................ 12
4. How to Use This Book ................................................................................................................................... 16
5. About The Tool .............................................................................................................................................. 17
6. The Strokes ................................................................................................................................................... 18
7. The 7-Step Routine ....................................................................................................................................... 20
8. Tackling Stubborn Aging Signs ..................................................................................................................... 23
“11” Wrinkles/ Frown Lines ............................................................................................................................ 23
Crow‟s Feet Wrinkles .................................................................................................................................... 24
Forehead Wrinkles ........................................................................................................................................ 25
Wrinkles at Corner of Mouth and Cheek ....................................................................................................... 26
Freckles ......................................................................................................................................................... 27
Sagging Skin ................................................................................................................................................. 28
Puffy Face ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
Dark Circles ................................................................................................................................................... 30
Eye Bags ....................................................................................................................................................... 31
Melasma/ Chloasma on Forehead ................................................................................................................ 32
Melasma/ Chloasma at Outer Bottom Corner of Eye .................................................................................... 33
Melasma/ Chloasma on Cheek ..................................................................................................................... 34
Shop Acupressure Products by Dragon Acupuncture ........................................................................................... 35
Sources ................................................................................................................................................................. 36
About Us ....................................................................................................................................................... 36
3 |
The information on acupressure points for beauty and facial scraping massage techniques
contained in this book are best of our knowledge as well as research. The information is not
intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. Speak with your trusted
professionals prior to practicing methods in this book. Please keep in mind that reactions
and results may vary with each individual.
Copyright © 2018 Easytech Trading Pte. Ltd.
Except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
Facial Gua Sha
4 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
1. What Is Facial Gua Sha?
Gua Sha, a natural alternative therapy invented by the Ancient Chinese, involves scraping your skin with a
massage tool to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood circulation. Through these
strokes, it is believed that the stagnant energy (“qi”), responsible for the inflammation causing chronic pain and
sickness, can be stimulated to flow smoothly again.
Facial gua sha is a much gentler version of the gua sha applied on the body. It is not expected to cause bruises
or skin rashes on the face and can be practiced frequently to improve various skin conditions. By applying simple
varying strokes to selected reflexology zones and acupressure points, we can address a wide range of skin
problems effectively. Instant results in erasing fine lines, puffiness and achieving better complexion are often
observed. Over time, enduring aging signs such as wrinkles and sagging skin can be reduced. And all you need
is a special facial gua sha tool that is gentle on your skin and a few minutes of your time each day.
The massage techniques in this book incorporate theories of gua sha (acupressure), facelift massage and
lymphatic drainage. So three things happen when the skin is scraped:
1. Surface of skin and particular acupoints are stimulated to increase blood circulation and flow of “qi” (results in
better complexion and reduces various skin problems)
2. Tense facial muscles are relaxed as pressure is applied (reduces depth of wrinkle lines), and
3. Stagnant lymph is activated to clear out toxins (reduces puffiness)
What are the benefits of facial gua sha?
With practice and patience, facial gua sha can achieve the following
Firms up your sagging facial muscles
Smoothens the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles on your face
Improves dark circles and bags under the eyes (the kind you get from advancing age)
Lightens age spots and other skin discolorations
Your complexion gets rosier and more radiant
Helps clear up acne, rosacea, and other skin diseases on your face
This is inexpensive. You can do it at the comfort of your home. Treat yourself to home facial spa anytime you
want.
Why is the gua sha tool better than my fingers?
The tool is better than your fingers in various ways. Firstly, your fingernails won‟t get in the way or acciden tally
scratch your face. And you won‟t tire your finger joints when you apply pressures on your finger tips for some
time. Moreover, the tool is smooth all around, cool to touch and can reach every corners of your face. You will be
amazed at how easy it is to adjust pressure simply by positioning and tilting the tool in different ways.
Facial Gua Sha
5 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Is facial gua sha painful?
No, it is not supposed to be painful at all. As you perform gua sha on yourself, you are able to apply varying
pressure that is at balance between “pain” and “comfort”. As a rule of thumb, we typically apply more pressure to
areas with muscles, for example cheeks, as compared to those with little muscles such as neck and eye regions.
As you scrape, you may come across spots where you feel dull aches. These spots are often regions of
congestion of “qi” according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or areas with lymphatic blockage. At these
spots, we continue to scrape but with lighter pressures and slower strokes. With several more sessions, you can
feel that the pain goes away and with that the particular facial problem related to this congestion gets mitigated.
Does facial gua sha cause bruises?
Unlike body gua sha, we hold the gua sha tool at a much smaller angle to the face (for more details, refer to
Chapter 6) and apply much less force as the face is more sensitive than other parts of the body. As such, bruises
or “sha” (rashes due to breaking of capillaries) are not expected. If redness persists after facial gua sha, this
means that you have applied too much pressure. Use lighter hand and apply more lubricant (oil, cream, gel or
lotion) for the next session. With practice, you will get it right. Beginners are advised to start with the lightest
pressures such that the routine can be performed regularly.
Why this tool?
Ancient Chinese started with using ceramic spoons for gua sha. Other common materials developed over the
years include jade, bian stone, buffalo horn, wood and stainless steel. The tools often come in various shapes
and sizes, and are usually targeted for application on the body. Our tool, designed for the sole application on
faces, has corners and edges that can nicely fit our facial contour (for more details, refer to Chapter 5). As
compared to wood, our material, microcrystalline ceramic, does not get moldy when damp and can be cleaned
with soap easily. Unlike normal ceramic, jade or buffalo horn, our tool is made of a specially strengthened
ceramic that does not crack or break as easily when dropped. Our tool is much more economical than stainless
steel ones, which are more suitable for applications on large muscle groups. We also offer a 60-day replacement
guarantee should there be any damage to the tool. (Contact us: [email protected]).
Is facial gua sha for me and my skin type?
It is suitable for most adults with any skin types. It is a natural and non-invasive way of injecting youth to your skin
and mitigating skin problems. There are however a few things to note:
1. Avoid directly scraping on inflamed skin e.g. acne
2. If you have sensitive skin, make sure that you use a gentle hand and clean the scraping tool thoroughly
before use.
3. Beginners have a tendency to apply too much force. It is advised to start with lightest pressures when
you first start practicing scraping.
Facial Gua Sha
6 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
2. Know the Basics
Our massage method takes into consideration the lymphatic draining, acupressure point system and reflexology
zones on our face. We would not burden you with the detailed theories, but here is the basic knowledge that will
help you understand the techniques better.
Acupressure Points
There are 17 acupressure points that can effectively tackle skin problems related to aging. The table below
describes how to locate these points and their applications for beauty. What‟s more is that all the acupoints can
also be applied for other issues such as eye fatigue, pain, headache etc. For example, the next time you have
stuffy nose, try massaging acupoint Ying Xiang (LI-20). You will be amazed how quickly it helps clear your nose!
All the acupressure points shown are located on both sides of the face with exceptions of Shen Ting (Du-24) and Cheng Jiang (Ren-24).
Shen Ting (Du-24)
Mei Chong (Bl-3)
Yang Bai (Gb-14)
Zan Zhu (Bl-2)
Yu Yao
Si Zhu Kong (SJ-23)
Temple
Tong Zi Jiao (Gb-1)
Xia Guan (St-7)
Jia Che (St-6)
Di Cang (St-4)
Cheng Jiang (Ren-24)
Quan Liao (SI-18)
Jing Ming (Bl-1)
Cheng Qi (St-1)
Si Bai (St-1)
Ying Xiang (LI-20)
Facial Gua Sha
7 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Point Name Direction translation
Location Beauty applications Other applications
Forehead Area
Tai Yang/ Temple 太阳
Great Sun Extrapolate lines from eyebrow and tip of eye. Temple is where these two lines meet
- Crow's feet wrinkles - Melasma/ Chloasma at outer bottom corner of eye
- Temporal, one-sided migraine headache due to eye fatigue - Dizziness - Eye issues i.e. swelling, redness
Du-24/ GV-24
Shen Ting
神庭
Spirit Courtyard Midpoint of front hairline
- Forehead wrinkles - Headache - Chronic sinusitis - Anxiety - Vertigo
Bl-3/ UB-3
Mei Chong 眉冲
Eyebrows’ Pouring
Along hairline directly above inner tips of eyebrows
- Forehead wrinkles - Headache - Nasal obstruction - Epilepsy
Gb-14 Yang Bai
陽白
Yang White On the forehead, directly above the pupil and mid-point between the eyebrow and hairline
- Melasma/ Chloasma at forehead
- Frontal headaches - Eye issues i.e. redness, swelling, twitching etc
Eye Area
Bl-1/ UB-1
Jing Ming
晴明
Bring Eyes In a depression, at the inner corner of the eye
- Dark circles - Main point for all eye disorders
Bl-2/ UB-2
Zan Zhu 攢竹
Gathered Bamboo
At the inner tip of eyebrow, directly above the inner corner of the eye
- Dark circles - Headache - Sinus congestion - Eye allergies
Gb-1 Tong Zi Liao
瞳子髎
Pupil Crevice In the depression at the outer margin of the eye socket
- Crow's feet wrinkles - Dark circles
- Headache - Eye problems
St-1 Cheng Qi
承泣
Container of Tears
Directly below the pupil when eyes look ahead
- Dark circles - Eye bags
- Eye issues i.e. redness, dryness, twitching, itchy
St-2 Si Bai 四白
Four Whites Below Cheng Qi - Eye bags - Eye issues i.e. redness, excessive lacrimation, twitching - Facial paralysis
Yu Yao
魚腰
Fish Loin At the midpoint of the eyebrow, in a depression directly above the pupil
- Melasma/ Chloasma at forehead
- Frontal headache - Disorders of the eyelids
SJ-23/ TB-23
Si Zhu Kong
絲竹空
Silken Bamboo Hollow
In the depression at the outer tip of eyebrow
- Melasma/ Chloasma at forehead
- Eye pain, redness, swelling, drooping eyelids
Facial Gua Sha
8 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Point Name Direction translation
Location Beauty applications Other applications
Cheek Area
LI-20/ CO-20
Ying Xiang
迎香
Welcome Fragrance
Depressed regions at both sides of nose
- Puffy face - Freckles - Melasma/ Chloasma on cheek
- Loss of smell or taste, sinus issues, allergies - Sinus congestion
SI-18 Quan Liao
顴髎
Cheek Bone Crevice
Below the outer tip of the eye, a depressed area at bottom edge of cheek bone
- Sagging skin - Melasma/ Chloasma on cheek
- Facial disorders, spasm, Bell’s palsy - Upper jaw toothache
St-7 Xia Guan
下关
Below the Joint In the depression in front of the ear, near ear hole
- Wrinkles at corner of mouth and cheek - Sagging skin
- Facial pain - Lower jaw toothache - Hearing issues, deafness, ear pain, ear inflections
St-6 Jia Che
颊车
Jaw Bone A region when you bite, you can feel the muscles rise and harden and becomes depressed when jaw is relaxed
- Sagging skin - Puffy face - Wrinkles at corner of mouth and cheek
- Facial paralysis - Toothache - Loss of voice
Mouth Area
St-4 Di Cang 地仓
Earth Granary Half of a finger distance from tip of mouth
- Sagging skin - Puffy face
- Facial pain, paralysis - Inability to close the eye, eye twitching
Ren-24/ CV-24
Cheng Jiang
承浆
Saliva Container In a depression under lower lip in the mid-line
- Puffy face - Facial pain, paralysis - Toothache - Voice hoarseness - Dry mouth
Facial Gua Sha
9 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Reflexology Zones
In TCM, different organs of the body can be stimulated and/ or healed at various points of the body – not just in
the location of that organ. Different areas of the hands, feet, ears, and face all correspond to different organs and
systems of the body, so by applying pressure and/ or movement to these areas, a healthy flow of “qi” is either
restored (if there was stagnation) or maintained. Therefore, by massaging different areas of our face, we are like
massaging different TCM organs, which in term determine the health of our skin.
TCM lung – Skin function regulator
TCM lung produces “qi”, the very element of life. It is through the lung that energy is transmitted throughout the
body nourishing our skin and regulating the opening and closing of pores. If TCM lung is not functioning properly,
we would have skin that is pale, lackluster, with enlarged pores or pimples may appear.
TCM spleen, stomach, intestine – Factory of nutrients for skin
These digestive organs supply nutrients to skin. The health of TCM spleen determines if skin is supple with glow
or if muscle retains its elasticity. If these TCM organs are not functioning properly, skin would turn dry and yellow
due to the lack of nutrients while muscles would be lost. As a result, skin would age prematurely; spots would
appear and even hair would become dry and dull.
TCM heart – Nutrient pump
In TCM, not only does the heart pump blood, it also controls our mental activities. If TCM heart is not functioning
properly, skin cells will lose nutrients. As such, our face would appear dull or dark red and prone to discoloration
problems.
TCM Liver – Detox engine
It regulates the motion of „qi‟ and stores “blood”. Whether we can get a clear clean facial skin, it is determined by
the health of TCM liver. When we have emotional problems or lack of sleep, the “qi” in TCM lung become
stagnant affecting the movement of “qi” and detoxification process. As a result, face becomes pale green and dull.
If situation does not improve, over time skin discoloration, pimples, skin allergies, inflammations, loss of hair may
result.
TCM kidney, bladder – Injection of youth
TCM kidney is responsible for our body growth including skin. It determines our basic skin type, skin color and
speed of aging. If TCM kidney is weak, we accumulate stagnant “liquid” in our body. This results in dull skin, age
spots and puffy skin. People with weak kidneys are susceptible to osteoporosis, premature aging and early
appearance of wrinkles.
Facial Gua Sha
10 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
On our face, there are regions correlated to different TCM organs. By stimulating different reflex regions, it helps
stimulate the organs and in turn resolve the underlying causes to our skin problems. On the other hand, we can
also peek into the health of our TCM organs by observing signs on our face. More on that in Chapter 3.
Head (Face, Throat)
Lung
Heart
Liver
Small Intestine
Upper Body
Large Intestine
Spleen & Stomach
Lower Body
Bladder
Kidney
Facial Gua Sha
11 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Lymphatic System
When we massage, we move stagnant lymph on our face. Fluid and toxins from our face drain out via the right
and left lymphatic ducts, which are in the little dips right above the middle of each collarbone. If we apply
pressure in the correct directions, we encourage the lymphatic fluid to move along its pathways from the hairline,
down the neck to the collarbone and then drain into the body. As such, we only stroke the gua sha board in one
direction and not to and fro. And while all our scraping motions are from centre to side and upwards on our face,
we do scrape lightly downwards on the side of the neck to collarbone to encourage the drainage of toxins away
from the face. It is also important to note that lymph nodes are located very close to the skin surface; we apply
the lightest pressure when we sweep down the neck to avoid bruising.
Left lymphatic duct
Right lymphatic duct
Tonsil
Facial Gua Sha
12 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
3. Telltale Signs on Our Face
Our face is like a mirror, reflecting our internal health and vitality. The appearance of aging signs or skin problems
on different parts of our face is actually a result of problems or imbalance of our TCM organs. This was in fact
one of the ways how ancient Chinese doctors carry out diagnosis without equipment or blood tests. We can learn
from this and peek in on changes of our own body just by observing the changes on our face. Read the table
below to understand the underlying reasons, in TCM perspective, when skin problems appear at different
locations of the face.
Location Signs Underlying Reasons (TCM Perspective) Other Symptoms
Forehead Area
Centre of forehead
Dull and dark * Insufficient “qi” in kidney * Insufficient oxygen in brain * Weak “yang”
* Brain fatigue * Mental exhaustion
Bulging green veins
* Long-term fatigue and tense mental state * Insufficient blood circulation in the head and neck region
A lot of wrinkles * Insufficient “qi” and “blood” in the brain
* Fatigue * Mental exhaustion
Pimples/ Acnes * Too much “heat” in lung, stomach and liver * Mentally stressed * Decline in detox ability in liver
* Insufficient sleep * Insufficient water intake
Two sides of forehead
Dull and dark or with chloasma
* Functional disorder in liver and gall gladder
*Insomnia or sleep with lots of dreams
A lot of wrinkles * Insufficient “qi” and “blood” in liver and gall bladder
* Decline in function in liver and gall bladder
Pimples/ Acnes * Too much “heat” in liver and gall bladder
* Bitter taste in mouth * Insomnia
Bulging green veins
* Stagnated liver and gall bladder * Poor blood circulation
* Mentally stressed * Dizziness * Headache
Eye Area
Corners of eyebrows
Pimples/ Acnes * Disorder in spleen and stomach * Too much “heat” in stomach
In-between eyebrows
A lot of wrinkles * Weak “blood” and “qi” in lung
Red or with pimples
* Too much “heat” in lung * Inflammation in throat
In-between the eyes
Pale * Weak “qi” in heart * Mental exhaustion
A lot of wrinkles * Weak “qi” and “blood” in heart
Surrounding of the eyes
Skin appears dull and dark
* Weak “qi” in kidney * Menstrual disorder
* Insufficient sleep * Fatigue
Crow’s feet wrinkles
* Insufficient “qi” and “blood” in gall bladder meridian
Wrinkles below the outer corner of eye
* Weak upper body * Inflammation at shoulders
Facial Gua Sha
13 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Location Signs Underlying Reasons (TCM Perspective) Other Symptoms
Eye Area (continued)
Surrounding of the eyes (continued)
Chloasma below the outer corner of eye
* Muscle strain at shoulder and neck * Painful shoulder and neck * Inflammation at shoulders
Sagging under eye * Weak “qi” in stomach and spleen * Loss of appetite * Indigestion
Puffy eye bags * Over-eating * Beware of high level of lipids
Long-term dark circles
* Exhaustion * Going to bed past midnight * Early signs of gynecological problems
Dull and dark, with green veins
* Weak kidney
* Menstrual disorder
Nose Area Middle of ridge
Appearance of cross or horizontal wrinkles
* Weak “qi” in liver and kidney * Sore waist * Spinal problems
Whole nose
Red * Too much “heat” in stomach and spleen * Alcohol overdose
Green veins at ridge
* Stomach ache * Bloated tummy * Indigestion
Tip of nose Dull and greenish * Too much “chill” in spleen * Coldness in abdomen * Cold feet
Side of nose
Dull and lack luster
* Weak “qi” in stomach * Weakening of functions of stomach and intestines * Long-term constipation
Pimples/ acnes, blackheads
* Too much consumption of oily and fatty food
Cheek Area
Front
Dull red or with pimples/ acnes
* Accumulation of “heat” in small intestine * Stagnated flow of “qi” and “blood” of the heart meridian
* Moody * Irritable
Appearance of red capillaries
* Weak “qi” in heart * Stagnated flow of “blood” in heart
Chloasma * Weakening of digestive system * Weak “qi” in heart * Stagnated blood flow
Side
Chloasma, dull or age spots
* Weak “qi” in kidney * Disorder in metabolism
Pimples/ acnes * Too much “heat” in stomach and small intestine * Accumulation of toxins in intestines * Too much sweet food * Lack of control in diet
Facial Gua Sha
14 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Location Signs Underlying Reasons (TCM Perspective) Other Symptoms
Lip Area
Lip
Bright red lips * Fever * Inflammation in respiratory path
Green purplish lips
* Congested blood flow at heart * Lack of oxygen * Intoxication
Pale lips * Malnutrition * Weak in “blood”
* Cold limbs
Black lips * Problems in digestive system * Weakening of kidney function
Surrounding of the lips
Wrinkles at corners of mouth
* Weak “qi” in stomach * Early signs of stomach diseases
Pimples/ acnes around the mouth
* Too much “heat” in stomach and intestine * Lack of control in diet * Stagnated movement in stomach and intestines
Upper Lip
Chloasma * Weak and “chill” large intestine * Beware of ovarian diseases
* Constipation * Irregular periods
Dull red * Too much “heat” in large intestine * Irregular menstrual period * Beware of ovarian diseases
* Bad breath
Wrinkles * Weak “qi” in large intestine * Beware of ovarian diseases
Pale or appears green
* Too much “chill” in large intestine * Weakening of the ovaries * Decline in sexual functions
* Constipation or diarrhea * Bloated abdomen
Lower Lip
Red * Too much “heat” in the stomach * Gastritis
* Stomach ache
Pale white * Too much “chill” in stomach * Loss of appetite * Stomach feels cold and sore
Tongue
Bulging green veins under tongue
* Veins at under tongue are reflection of coronary veins in our heart. * Green veins are a sign of poor blood circulation at heart * If the green veins are bulging and twisted with dull and purplish appearance, beware of coronary heart diseases
Facial Gua Sha
15 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Location Signs Underlying Reasons (TCM Perspective) Other Symptoms
Chin Area
Middle
Dull and lack luster
* Weak “qi” in kidney * Too much “chill” in uterus * Endocrine disorders
* Sore waist * Irregular periods
Horizontal wrinkles
* Weak kidney * Waist pain * Hemorrhoids
Red, pimples/ acnes
* Endocrine disorder * Beware of ovarian diseases
* Irregular periods
Green veins * Tired and lack energy * Sore waist and weak knees * Rheumatism in lower body
Two sides
Dull or with chloasma
* Poor blood circulation in lower body
* Sore in lower body * Feeling cold * Indigestion
Lots of wrinkles, sagging skin
* Weak “qi” in spleen * Weakening of digestion system
* Lack of strength in lower body
Pimples/ acnes, dull and lack luster
* Too much “liquid” and “heat” in stomach and intestines
Facial Gua Sha
16 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
4. How to Use This Book
In the book, we demonstrate a simple 7-step routine that can be easily added to your daily beauty regimen (see
Chapter 7). In each step, we provide suggestions on the part of the tool to use and the amount of pressure to
apply. The standard scraping routine goes over most parts of the face and can be completed within a few
minutes. After this, you would probably observe reduction in puffiness, smoothened fine lines, and a better
complexion.
In the Chapter 8, we focus on addressing specific stubborn aging signs utilizing the TCM theories in acupressure
and reflexology. There are numerous acupressure points on our face. By knowing the correct spots to apply
stimulation, we can effectively address facial problems to the point (pardon the pun). In TCM, the very area
where aging signs, i.e. wrinkles, dark spots, dull skin appear is a reflection of problem of TCM organ. By
stimulating those reflex zones, we can help solve the core problems inflicting the aging signs. You can pick
additional massages related to your concern from this chapter and add them to the standard 7-step routine.
Facial Gua Sha
17 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
5. About The Tool
Our facial tool is made of microcrystalline ceramic, which feels like ceramic to the touch but is much stronger and
has better tolerance to breakage and cracks. It is smooth with no sharp edges and cool to touch. The board is
shaped with the different curves and edges that fit the contours of our face.
The more pointed the edge; the higher pressure is the stroke. For example, if you find part 1 to be painful, try part
5, which has a larger angle. Refer to our suggested use of tool part in the diagrams when you first start. But do
feel free to experiment on your own.
Besides the gua sha board, you will also need a mirror (placed on wall or desk) and some form of lubricants.
There are many different lubricants that you can use. You can select any natural facial oils such as almond oil,
grape seed oil and coconut oil. Or just use your usual facial lotion, cream or oil. The key is to reduce friction when
you sweep the board on your face. Do remember to clean the oil off your face after each scraping session before
you apply your usual facial cream or oil.
To care for the tool, clean with soap water or alcohol swab and dry after each use. Keep it safely to prevent it
from dropping or colliding with hard objects.
Part 3 Flat edge for sweeping at higher pressure than the long curved edge (Part 6)
Part 4 Rounded curved out edge for sweeping large area like forehead
Part 6 Long curved in edge for sweeping large areas like cheek, neck
Part 1 Pointed end for massaging specific acu-points and get to hard to reach area
Part 2 Forked area for jaw line
Part 5 Less pointed end for massaging points (less pressure than part 1)
Facial Gua Sha
18 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
6. The Strokes
To hold the gua sha board, rest the edge of the board on your palm while your thumb and the remaining four
fingers hold onto either side of the board.
For techniques used in this book, there are only 3 simple strokes that you need to master.
1. Scrape
Use the long edges of the gua sha board to cover more skin, and tilt it at about 15 degree angle to the skin
surface, almost flat but not quite, and glide the board to give a gentle pull on the skin. The smaller the angle, the
gentler is the pressure. Remember that for our face, we do not want to scrape with more than 45 degree angle as
it may cause bruises.
Use the curved edge to sweep from centre to the side on forehead to reduce appearance of wrinkles
Use the forked area to grab the jaw and pull upwards toward the ear to refine the jaw line
Use the large curved edge to lift up the cheek from the side of mouth towards temple to firm up the sagging skin
Facial Gua Sha
19 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
2. Point press in circular motion
Unlike sweep motion, we only use the tip of the gua sha tool to apply pressure in stationary circular motion on a
specific point. We apply this massage to stimulate acupressure points. We typically position the tip at about 30
degree angle to the skin surface. Feel free to adjust the angle to get the right amount of pressure. Again, start
with a lighter hand.
Use the tip to massage acu-point Cheng Jiang (Ren-24)
Use the tip to massage acu-point Tong Zi Liao (Gb-1)
Use the tip to massage acu-point Ying Xiang (LI-20)
3. Flat Press in circular motion
Very similar to point press, we position the tip almost flat to the skin surface to cover a larger area and apply
pressure in circular motion on that area. We use this massage to warm up reflex zones.
Massage in circular motion with the tip almost flush with our skin surface to warm up the reflex zone for head (face + throat)
Facial Gua Sha
20 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
7. The 7-Step Routine
This simple routine can be performed regularly. We suggest limiting the massage to once a day and 3-5 times a
week. The routine takes less than 5 minutes. You can incorporate additional problem-specific strokes in chapter 8
to this routine.
Before you start, you should apply some cream, gel, oil or lotion to a dry, clean face to prepare the skin. You also
have to remember to clean the gua sha board with soap before and after each session. Please take note
All sweeping motions should be done in one single direction, never back and forth.
All our scraping motions will be upwards as we are countering sagging with the only exception at step 1
when we sweep our lymphatic ducts in the dumping direction away from our face.
The tool should glide smoothly over the face. If this isn't the case, add more moisturizer as needed.
Avoid directly massaging broken skin, blemishes and other sensitive areas.
You may experience a dull ache on certain spots. These spots could be related to lymphatic drainage or
congestion of “qi” in TCM. You do not need to avoid those painful spots. Just stroke slowly and with
lighter pressure if it is too painful. This painful spot will go away after several sessions of gua sha (and
that‟s when you mitigate the skin problem)
Slight redness is common immediately after the massage and should dissipate within minutes.
If the massage leaves any marks on your face, you‟re pressing too deep. Try to lighten your strokes,
apply more lubricants or use your non-dominant hand.
Do what feels right. You may follow the strength scale on the amount of pressure to apply for different
strokes. Or experiment on your own to use varying degrees of pressure on different parts of the face.
Feel free to spend extra or less time massaging different areas of your face.
If you have sensitive skin prone to spots, you will have to use very light force.
Limit the massage to once a day. If you are susceptible to puffiness, we advise you to perform the
routine in the morning. If you would like the facial gua sha massage as a way to relax tense facial
muscles, you can do it at night.
Start with a few sessions a week and slowly work up to 5 times a week.
Facial Gua Sha
21 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
For each step, apply each stroke for 3-5 times on one side of the face, and then repeat the same on the other side before moving on to the next step. Diagrams below indicate suggested use of the tool and relative amount of pressure but do feel free to experiment.
Step Stroke Tips
Preparation Apply cream, gel, oil, or lotion generously to a dry clean face Clean the gua sha board with soap or water Position your face in front of mirror with good light
1
Warm up lymphatic drainage path
Use the large curved side to sweep at a small angle from outer corner of the jaw, near the ear lobe, down to the dip above the middle of the collarbone on the same side. Be very gentle. Lymph nodes are very close to the surface. We only want to warm up the drainage path so that toxins can be drained away from our face easily when we massage later.
2
Smoothen out forehead wrinkles
Use the curved end to scrape in fluid motion from the centre of forehead (“third eye”), above the eyebrow, outwards to hairline. Position the tool at 15 degree angle to the skin. You can apply more pressure as long as comfortable.
3
Brighten up the eyes
Use the large tip to glide from the inner corner, apply pressure outwards against eye socket to the outer corner of the socket, stay on the brow bone, in each stroke. Sweep similarly at the under eye area (where eye bags would show up). At the inner and outer corners, stay momentarily to apply small pressure in circular motions to further stimulate blood circulation. Be gentle and do not pull the delicate skin around the eye.
4
Tighten the cheeks/ Reduce smile lines
2-stroke movement for the cheek. Upper stroke starts at middle of the nose and go upwards to end at the temple. Bottom stroke starts at the base of nose towards the root of the ear. Apply more pressure to lift up the face. The correct amount of pressure gives you the right balance of pain and comfort. At region of pain, go slower. With time, the pain point will go away. ** You may use the other hand to hold the skin while you scrape.
Facial Gua Sha
22 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Step Stroke Tips
5
Erase fine lines at upper lip
Start at centre of upper lip and glide outwards to end at corner of the mouth.
6
Tighten chin area
From the centre of chin upwards and end at where your chewing muscles are. Go ahead to apply more pressure to lift up the face with each stroke. ** You may use the other hand to hold the skin while you scrape.
7
Refine jaw line/ Reduce double chins
Use the fork of the tool to fit into jaw line and start with the tool pressing against the middle of chin and the soft area under chin (where a double chin would show up). Then scrape upwards to the bottom of your ear lobe. Go ahead to apply more pressure to lift up the face with each stroke.
Finish Your face should feel slightly warmed after the session as if you’ve just finished a light jog.
Massage your face with fingertips to let the cream soak in and then rinse off. After that, apply your usual facial moisturizer when your skin is still energized and warm.
Drink a glass of warm water to enhance the drainage of toxins. Clean the gua sha board.
Tips: Please take extra care in cleaning the eye area after each session, especially if you are susceptible to milia seeds, as the cream, gel or oil you use for the face may not be suitable for the delicate eye area.
Facial Gua Sha
23 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
8. Tackling Stubborn Aging Signs
You can pick techniques from this chapter and add it to the 7-step routine.
Wrinkles
As we age, collagen and our ability to replenish elastic fiber in our skin diminish. As collagen becomes thin or
broken, wrinkles appear. In TCM, wrinkles are signs of lack of “blood” and “qi”. As different regions of our face
correspond to different TCM system and organ, the region where wrinkle first appears indicates the ageing of our
corresponding TCM organ.
“11” Wrinkles/ Frown Lines
We focus on two reflex zones on our face, namely, 1. Head, face, throat, and, 2. Heart & lung. Apply flat press,
with the tool tip almost flat to the face, and massage in circular motion. Do so for 5-10 times until the skin feels
warm and turns slightly pink.
In TCM, area between the eyes, where frown lines appear, corresponds to TCM heart and lung. Excessive
wrinkles at this area could be a sign that you have over-exhausted yourself, thus harming TCM heart. To nourish
the TCM heart and lung, make sure that you get sufficient rest.
Flat Press in Circular Motion Head, face, throat reflex zone: At centre of forehead near hairline
Flat Press in Circular Motion Heart & Lung reflex zones: Between eye brows
Facial Gua Sha
24 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Crow’s Feet Wrinkles
Apply massage in circular motions at two acu-points: Tong Zi Liao (Gb-1) and Temple, and also in regions where
wrinkles are. Do so for 5-10 times until the skin feels warm and turns slightly pink. Repeat on the other side of the
face.
Point Press in Circular Motion Temple: Meeting point of the extrapolated lines from eyebrow and tip of eye.
Point Press in Circular Motion Tong Zi Liao (Gb-1): In a depression at the outer margin of the eye socket
Facial Gua Sha
25 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Forehead Wrinkles
Use the large curved tip to scrape upwards at the hairline, making sure that you pass acu-points Shen Ting (Du-
24) at center and Mei Chong (Bl-3) at both sides. Do so for 10 times.
In addition, flat press in circular motion the region at the center just below the hairline. By massaging this head
reflex zone, we can help relax the brain. Do so for 5-10 times until the skin feels warm and turns slightly pink.
Centre of the forehead corresponds to TCM brain organ. The appearance of forehead wrinkles is a sign of fatigue
and lack of oxygen in the brain. If you have excessive wrinkles at this region, you need to avoid overworking your
brain and learn to relax (and reduce worries).
Scrape Across Acupoints Shen Ting (Du-24): At midpoint of hairline Mei Chong (BI-3): Along hairline directly above inner tips of eyebrows
Flat Press in Circular Motion Head, face, throat reflex zone: At centre of forehead near hairline
Facial Gua Sha
26 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Wrinkles at Corner of Mouth and Cheek
Use the long curved side of the board to sweep from chin, below the lower lip, up and out towards the earlobe.
Then end the stroke with point massages at acupoints Xia Guan (St-7) and Jia Che (St-6) using the pointed tip of
the tool. Repeat this set of strokes for 5-10 times. Then repeat on the other side of the face.
Also, massage the lower body reflex zone at the lower cheek. Flat press with circular motions for 5-10 times.
Then, repeat on the other side of the face.
Wrinkles at corner of the mouth are signs of insufficient strength of the lower body, and weakness in TCM spleen
and kidney. To aid reduction of wrinkles in this region, add some exercise routines, such as weight training, to
increase the muscle strength of the lower body.
Point Press in Circular Motion Xia Guan (St-7): In the depression in front of the ear, near ear hole
Point Press in Circular Motion Jia Che (St-6): A spot at your jaw where when you bite, muscles rise
and harden
Scrape Up Along Jaw Line From center of chin up and out towards ear lobe
Flat Press in Circular Motion Lower Body reflex zone: Lower cheek area near mouth
Facial Gua Sha
27 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Freckles
Freckle is a sign of weakness in TCM kidney, causing poor circulation of “blood” and “qi”. Working on the 7-step
whole face massage routine would help facilitate blood circulation and metabolism of skin cells, and dissipation of
the melanin to reduce the signs of freckles.
On top of the daily routine, massage the lung and kidney reflex zones with the tip positioned almost flat to the
face for 5-10 times each. Lung is responsible for metabolism of skin cells while kidney stores “energy”.
Massaging these two reflex zones would further enhance metabolism and blood circulation.
In addition, massage acupoint, Ying Xiang (LI-20), at both sides of nose for 5-10 times until skin feels warm.
Furthermore, apply flat massage in regions where freckles appear for 5-10 times until skin feels warm and turns
slightly pink to enhance blood circulation to the troubled spots.
Point Press in Circular Motion Ying Xiang (LI-20): Located at a
depression at both sides of the nose
Flat Press in Circular Motion Lung reflex zone: Area between eye brows
Flat Press in Circular Motion Kidney reflex zone: At lower outer corner of the eye on cheek bone * Plus area with freckles
Facial Gua Sha
28 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Sagging Skin
In TCM, sagging cheeks is a reflection of poor digestive functions of spleen and stomach, which are responsible
in replenishing nutrients for the skin, causing skin to lose its elasticity prematurely.
Locate and point press these four acupoints at both sides of the face, namely, Xia Guan, Jia Che (St-6), Quan
Liao (SI-18) and Di Cang (St-4). Massage each point in circular motions for 5-10 times.
Next, use the big curve edge of the tool to perform a gentle slow upward circular motion across the cheeks.
Ensure sufficient lubricant on your face before you start. Apply larger pressure whenever you sweep upwards. Do
so for 5-10 times on each side of the face. Your face should feel warm after this scraping.
Finally, perform a flat press in circular motion for 5-10 times on the reflex zones for small & large intestines at
both sides of the face to help improve digestion and absorption of nutrient in the body.
Flat Press in Circular Motion Small & large intestine reflex zones:
Area next to the ridge of the nose
Scrape Up in Circular Motion From center of chin up and out towards ear lobe
Point Press in Circular Motion Xia Guan (St-7): In the depression in front of the ear, near ear hole
Point Press in Circular Motion Jia Che (St-6): A spot at your jaw where when you bite, muscles rise
and harden
Point Press in Circular Motion Quan Liao (SI-18): Below the outer tip of the eye, a depressed area at
bottom edge of check bone
Point Press in Circular Motion Di Cang (St-4): Half of a finger distance from tip of mouth
Facial Gua Sha
29 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Puffy Face
Repeat steps 4 and 6 of 7-step routine to sweep up the face from centre or another 5 times. Then perform point
press on the following acupoints: Ying Xiang (LI-20), Di Cang (St-4), Jia Che (St-6) on both sides of the face and
Cheng Jiang (Ren-24). Do so for 5-10 times until skin feels warm.
Point Press in Circular Motion Ying Xiang (LI-20): Depressed regions at both sides of nose
Point Press in Circular Motion Di Cang (St-4): Half of a finger distance from tip of mouth
Point Press in Circular Motion Jia Che (St-6): A spot at your jaw where when you bite, muscles rise and harden
Point Press in Circular Motion Cheng Jiang (Ren-24): In a depression
below lower lip in the mid-line
Facial Gua Sha
30 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Dark Circles
Dark circles are often accompanied with lack of sleep, sore waist, irregular periods, and lack of energy. Persistent
dark circles are sometimes an early sign of gynecological problems.
To reduce dark circles, repeat step 3 of the daily routine 5 more times to increase blood circulation to the eye
surrounding. As you scrape, look for area with pain sensation and then focus on massaging that area.
In addition, perform point press for the four acupoints around the eye for 5-10 times on each side of the face. For
acupoint, Jing Ming (Bl-1), you may position the tip at 90 degree angle to the face to reach this narrow point.
Just to share a few more beauty tips
Try to drink a cup of carrot juice or tomato juice every morning to help reduce eye fatigue.
Drink more water to help remove toxins.
Have sufficient sleep and go to bed early. 10pm to 2am is the period for sleeping soundly to nourish
TCM liver, highly related to eye health. If you are not asleep during this period, condition of dark circles
could worsen.
Point Press in Circular Motion Zan Zhu (Bl-2): At the inner tip of eyebrow, directly above the inner corner of the eye
Point Press in Circular Motion Tong Zi Liao (GB-1): In a depression at the outer margin of the eye socket
Point Press in Circular Motion Cheng Qi (St-1): Directly below the pupil when eyes look ahead, between the eyeball and rim of eye socket
Point Press in Circular Motion Jing Ming (Bl-1): In a depression, at the inner corner of the eye
Facial Gua Sha
31 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Eye Bags
Eye bags, sagging skin below the eye or wrinkles under the eye are signs of weak “qi” in TCM stomach and
spleen. It is often accompanied with loss of appetite, decline in digestive functions, bloated stomach or
constipation. Persons with puffy eye bags often over-eat and have poor metabolism of fats. They need to beware
of issues of high lipids. If the eye bags are persistent and very obvious, the person needs to beware of
arteriosclerosis. Medical checkup is advised.
To reduce the signs of eye bags, massage these two acupoints, Cheng Qi (St-1) and Si Bai (St-2) directly below
the center of the eyes. Perform point press in circular motion for 5-10 times at each point and on both sides of the
face.
Point Press in Circular Motion Si Bai (St-2): Located below the pupil, in a depression on cheek bone
Point Press in Circular Motion Cheng Qi (St-1): Located below the pupil when eyes looking forward, between the eyeball and rim of eye
socket
Facial Gua Sha
32 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Skin Discoloration
Skin discoloration such as Melasma/ Chloasma on face usually occurs on pregnant, post-natal or middle-aged
women. It is closely related to body exhaustion, high mental stress, irregular periods and constipation. In TCM, it
is due to disorder in skin blood circulation as result of insufficient or stagnant “qi” and “blood”, and imbalance in
TCM organs. The spot where skin discoloration occurs often reflects stagnant “blood” and “qi” of the
corresponding reflex TCM organs. By focusing on strengthening the corresponding TCM organs, we can attempt
to solve the skin discoloration problem at its core.
Melasma/ Chloasma on Forehead
Skin discoloration often occurs at the both sides of the forehead, where the meridian for gall bladder is. It
indicates a disorder of TCM liver and gall bladder.
Scrape from center of forehead out and sideways towards hairline, similar to step 2 of daily routine, but with
addition of scraping the eye brow. Make sure you scrape past the 3 acupoints, namely, Yang Bai (Gb-14), Yu
Yao and Si Zhu Kong (SJ-23). To enhance result, massage areas of discoloration. Do so for 5-10 times on each
side of the face.
Yang Bai (Gb-14): On the forehead, directly above the pupil and mid-point of the eyebrow
Scrape Outward Through Acupoints
Yu Yao: At the midpoint of the eyebrow, in a depression directly above the pupil
Si Zhu Kong (SJ-23): In the depression at
the outer tip of eyebrow
Flat Press in Circular Motion Area with skin discoloration
Facial Gua Sha
33 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Melasma/ Chloasma at Outer Bottom Corner of Eye
The cheek area under the eye is the reflex zone for upper body. As such, the appearance of skin discoloration at
the outer bottom corner of the eye is a sign of “chill” or strains at the shoulder joints. A person needs to beware of
ailment at shoulder region.
Focus on scraping region under eye. Scrape out from center towards temple. Then, massage the temple using
point press in circular motion. In addition, apply flat press to massage the cheek area under the eye and area
with discoloration. Do so for 5-10 times on each side of the face until skin feels warm.
Scrape Under Eye From inner corner of the eye out and up towards the temple
Point Press in Circular Motion Temple: Extrapolate lines from eyebrow and tip of eye. Temple is where these two lines meet
Flat Press in Circular Motion Upper body reflex zone: Area below outer corner of eye
* Plus area with skin discoloration
Facial Gua Sha
34 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Melasma/ Chloasma on Cheek
The appearance of melasma/ chloasma on cheek is often accompanied with symptoms like shortness of breath,
lack of energy, feeling flustered, tightness at chest and decline in digestion functions e.g. loss of appetite, bloated
abdomen and diarrhea. It is a sign of weakening in digestive systems and cardio functions.
Apply point press to the two acupoints, namely, Ying Xiang (LI-20) and Quan Liao (SI-18). Also flat press the
intestine reflex regions and area with skin discoloration. Do so for 5-10 times on both side of the face until skin
feels warm.
Flat Press in Circular Motion Large and small intestine reflex zones: under the inner corner of the eyes * Plus area with skin discoloration
Point Press in Circular Motion Quan Liao (SI-18): Below the outer tip of the eye, a depressed area at bottom
edge of check bone
Point Press in Circular Motion Ying Xiang (LI-20): Depressed regions at both sides of nose
Facial Gua Sha
35 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Shop Acupressure Products by Dragon Acupuncture
GET 10% OFF on these products from Amazon with PROMO CODE: 10GUASHA
Product Content Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Amazon.fr
Amazon.es
Amazon.it
Facial Gua Sha Board
Facial Gua Sha board eBook
BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
Beginner’s Ear Seeds Kit
600 vaccaria ear seeds eBook Ear probe Tweezers Large ear chart
BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
300 pcs Refill Pack
300 magnetic ear pellets BUY
600 pcs Refill Pack
600 vaccaria ear seeds BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
1210 pcs Refill Pack
1210 vaccaria ear seeds BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
Angled Ear Probe
Angled ear probe Pocket ear chart Pouch
BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
Dual Head Ear Probe
Dual head ear probe Pocket ear chart Pouch
BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
Spring Loaded Ear Probe
Spring loaded ear probe Pocket ear chart Pouch
BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY
Facial Gua Sha
36 | Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. TCMTips.com
Sources
国医绝学健康馆. (2011). 刮痧排毒.
Nielsen A. (2007). The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in
healthy subjects.
Regional Office for the Western Pacific, World Health Organization (WHO). 1993. Standard Acupuncture
Nomenclature, 2nd ed (pdf)
张秀勤. (2011). 刮痧美容.
About Us
P. Sze, despite her background as an engineer, is passionate about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and
natural therapies. With strong desire for organization and efficiency, her ambition is to tap into the vast, and often
times complex, world of Chinese Medicine to extract useful relevant resources, and to present it in a simple
manner that everyone can readily apply in everyday life.
TCMTips.com is a growing compilation of resources and community related to TCM and natural therapies. Its
core belief is that the solutions of many pains and sickness in modern world can be resolved by simply changing
lifestyle and applying natural remedies.
Dragon Acupuncture is a line of acupressure products that are value packed with content, such as eBook. The
solutions developed are so simple that beginners can try out on their own with little or no help from professionals.
CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Website: TCMTips.com
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/dragon.acupuncture.therapy
