Gua sha, also known as skin scraping, is a massage therapy tool that came from ancient traditional Chinese medicine practices. In addition to encouraging body’s natural healing process, gua sha also provides stimulating massage, increases blood flow, releases tension, and tones the skin. Overall, it can be used on all body parts depending on the size and type of gua sha. In this article we will take a look at the benefits of gua sha for eyes, examine different types of gua sha, and review some of the best gua sha for eyes and learn how to use them.
Benefits Of Gua Sha For Eyes
Whether you put too much strain on your eyes, not getting enough of sleep or noticing sings of aging – your eyes need a break and some pampering. In addition to using a good skincare designed for treating eye area, a daily eye massage with a tool like gua sha or other eye massaging devices might make a huge difference in the overall appearance of your eyes.
There are many benefits of using gua sha for eyes regularly. This anti aging tool has the ability to break down stagnation, prevent fluid retention, stimulate lymphatic function, release toxins, reduce puffiness and dark circles and rejuvenate skin cells.
All in all, gua sha for eyes is an amazing and versatile tool that offers a number of benefits:
- Addresses stagnant energy
- Eliminates toxins
- Improves blood circulation
- Helps lymphatic drainage
- Reduces puffiness and swelling
- Diminishes dark circles
- Softens fine lines and crow’s feet
- Provides mild toning effect
- Improves absorption of skincare products
- Provides rejuvenating effect
- Relieves eye fatigue
- Relaxes muscles
Cons: skin bruising is possible if you apply too much pressure while using gua sha, the tool can break/shatter if you drop it.
Types Of Gua Sha
When it comes to gua sha, there are three variants to consider: shape, material and size.
Shape. Overall, gua sha scraper comes in many different sizes and shapes to suit different body parts. However, out of all the types of gua sha, the following ones work the best for the face and eyes: wing, dolphin, square and mushroom shape.
- Wing/triangle shape gua sha has two or three small arches on one end, which are convenient for massaging small areas like around eyes. Additionally, it’s comfortable to grip and maneuver it, and it is commonly used for facial scraping.
- Dolphin shape gua sha is similar to wing-shaped one, but it is usually wider. Due to its versatility, it is one of the most popular gua sha tools. Moreover, this type of scrapper is especially good for deep muscle massage as well as facials.
- Square shape gua sha has four rounded edges and is more linear in comparison to other gus sha. Its unique shape makes it’s a great tool for massaging face, neck and hard to reach areas.
- Mushroom shape gua sha are usually sold in pairs. This type allows a more precise skin toning and ideal for small areas.
Material. Even though gua sha can be made of any material including wood and surgical stainless steel, it is most commonly hand carved out of gemstones or crystals like rose quarts, green jade, amethysts, and bian stone. Not only different gemstones have very distinct color and mineral composition, but also they carry different nature’s energy and specific healing properties.
Best Gua Sha For Eyes
In general, it is best to use smaller sized gua sha for eyes. For example, opt for shapes like wing, dolphin, mushroom or small square made of natural stone like rose quartz, jade, amethysts or similar. Also, a good quality gua sha has well polished edges without sharp dents. An average price of gua sha is around $20 – $30, however if you opt for a higher end brand it can easily cost $40-$70.
Beauty By Earth Jade Stone Gua Sha
This dolphin shaped gua sha tool is made from genuine green aventurine jade stone (a variety of quartz), which was sourced in Brazil. The stone is smooth and polished, and has golden engraving on one side. All in all, this budget-friendly scraper is versatile and can be used on different areas of body including face and under eyes. In addition, it is nicely packaged and comes with instructions.
Esmee Jade & Rose Quartz Gua Sha Set
Can’t decide between jade or rose quartz gua sha? This set includes both. Moreover, there are four different shapes available – wing, dolphin, square and mushroom. You’ll be also pleasantly surprised with the quality of the stones and nice packaging (great as a gift!) The e-book with instructions is available upon request.
Mimosa Rose Quartz Mushroom Gua Sha (pair)
Made of GIA certified premium rose quartz, these mushroom shaped tools are about 1.5” tall, which makes them a great gua sha for eyes. The stone is nicely polished and smooth, and fits comfortably in your hand. Overall, this pair of mushrooms makes a great addition for the “home spa” or as a gift.
Illumina Beauty 4-Edge Gua Sha Massager
What makes this square gua sha unique is its cross friction comb edge that helps to stimulate energy points and release tension. It feels especially relaxing while using it on forehead, jawline and crow’s feet area. This gua sha is hand made from real green jade, has minty green pale color, and is about quarter inch thick. Plus it comes in a cushioned black gift box, and step-by-step instructions are also available through email.
Skin Gym Buffy Gua Sha Tool
Want something more luxurious? Try this quirky-shaped gua sha made of bian stone. The unique notches of this tool help to target both large and small areas of the face. It is great for facial sculpting as well as stimulating circulation under eye area. Also, it is available in rose quartz stone.
MoValues 3-piece Rose Quartz Set
This great value set includes 3 massaging tools: full size dual-sided roller, mini roller for eyes and gua sha. Moreover, the dual-sided roller is 2-in-1 tool itself, as one side is designed with a smooth stone, and another side has a ridged roller for more intense facial massage. While the mini roller is great for treating eye area, a wing-shaped gua sha is great for facial contouring as well as eye area. Also, this set comes with a small storage pouch. All tools in this set are made of authentic Brazilian rose quartz gemstone, and the set itself is made in the USA.
Related: Different types of eye massagers.
How To Use
When using gua sha for eyes keep in mind that skin under eyes is very thin. That being said, be gentle and don’t press too much while treating this area. Also, always use facial oil or serum when giving yourself a gua sha treatment. This allows the tool to glide smoothly without pulling the skin.
√ We love Biossance Vitamin C Rose Oil and Eminence Organic Age Corrective Eye Serum (on Amazon).
Overall, when it comes to using gua sha for eyes, pay attention to the pressure, angle and speed. And always start from the inner eye towards the temple or from the inner side of the brow towards the temple making 3-5 strokes in each area.
Pressure. Apply very gentle pressure since under eye skin is very delicate and thin. However, you can apply more pressure if you are using your gua sha tool on the eyebrows.
Angle. When using gua sha for eyes, make sure your tool is almost flat, which will allow gentle gliding movement.
Speed. Slow movement and light scraping motion is a must when using gua sha around eyes.
All in all, it is recommended to use gua sha for eyes daily or at least three times a week for a few minutes. As a matter of fact, you can use it in the morning for de-puffing and skin energizing, or in the evening for releasing tension and relaxation.
The more regularly you’ll use this tool, the more vivid the results will be. On average, visible results are seen after 2-3 months of regular use.
Gua Sha vs Face Rollers
Gua sha tool is a manual massager that is powered by your own hands. It works in a similar manner as face rollers, rollerballs, mini globes, and wands, where the tool is gently rubbed or glided over the targeted area. Moreover, the benefits of these tools overlap since they help to relax muscles, improve blood circulation, reduce puffiness, and improve skin elasticity.
Also, both gua sha and face rollers are usually made of gemstones, and they both combine the benefits of massage with the healing powers of gemstones.
However, face roller can be only rolled back and forth mostly in a straight line and it provides a more gentle stimulation.
On the other hand gua sha allows more control over the tool and movement, and it is more effective in stimulating lymphatic drainage. Also, by putting more pressure and changing the angle of the tool you can achieve different intensity of the massage. Additionally, instead of rolling back and forth, gua sha is used in a single stroke in one direction only (no backward movement).
Sources:
Caberlotto E, Ruiz L, Miller Z, Poletti M, Tadlock L. “Effects of a skin-massaging device on the ex-vivo expression of human dermis proteins and in-vivo facial wrinkles.” PLoS One, Mar. 2017, Vol. 12, Issue 3
Nielsen A, Knoblauch NT, Dobos GJ, Michalsen A, Kaptchuk TJ. The effect of gua sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in healthy subjects. Explore (NY). 2007 Sep-Oct;3(5):
Phuong C, Howard I. “Skin care gets a good rub down: the role massage plays in cosmetic and skin care.” Cosmetics & Toiletries, Jun. 2016
