Discovering Gua sha
The latest trend in skincare is gua sha, an eastern treatment for smooth, radiant skin. But how safe is it? We ask skin experts
The resurgence of an ancient beauty treatment, gua sha, has been trending in the celebs world, with many endorsing its youthful effect. Advocates of the treatment include Hollywood’s Emilia Clarke, Miranda Kerr and Zendaya. Bollywood’s Malaika Arora also recently posted Instagram Reel, which has her talking about how a gua sha message is the simple secret to her flawless youthful skin. Previously, even Miranda had taken to her Instagram about it and wrote, “Gua Sha is one of my favourite techniques to lift and sculpt my face (sic).”
We spoke to a couple of skin experts in the country to understand a little more about this treatment.
WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?
According to senior consultant dermatologist Dr TN Rekha Singh, gua sha involves press-stroke treatment of the skin. “It is an effective folk therapy for various symptoms, which is widely accepted in East Asia,” begins the dermatologist who also urges caution. “However, the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects have not been clarified.” Dr Rekha does point out that articles and studies from the Chinese language database cover an array of conditions responsive to gua sha, which include headache and migraine and neck, shoulder, back, and knee pain, as well as acute diseases such as fever, flu, ear aches, asthma and bronchitis in children and adults.
“Very few studies show the anti-inflammatory effects gua sha has — a therapeutic impact in inflammatory conditions, such as active chronic hepatitis involving liver inflammation,” explains the skin doctor. Another dermatologist, Dr Preeti Kothari, MD, further describes gua sha as a treatment method that uses a smooth-edged tool to stroke the skin. “The use of this tool has gained a lot of traction and has become a new trend, leading to many skincare brands providing it with their products or as part of homecare tools for skin,” says Dr Preeti. “It essentially helps in improving blood circulation, which can increase the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the skin in turn improving skin health. It may even help in relieving tension in the facial muscles.”
Dr Rekha tells us that ‘gua’ refers to the scratching of the skin, while ‘sha’ refers to the petechiae (cherry red spots caused by the breakage of skin capillaries) and texture appearing after scratching.
She further states it as hypothesised that gua shainduced extravasation of blood and controllable skin tissue damage leads to the wound-healing process. “Gua sha is assumed to improve the immunological functions of the skin and body by acting as a physical adjuvant, as shown by the increased immune responsive cells in the skin,” Dr Rekha adds.
A FAIR SHARE OF WARNING
Like every other beauty treatment, however, gua sha also comes with a set of warnings.
Dr Preeti cautions for practitioners of this treatment to be mindful about not applying too much pressure. She further
The use of this tool has gained a lot of traction and has become a new trend, leading to many skincare brands providing it with their products or as part of homecare tools for skin. It essentially helps in improving blood circulation, which can increase the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the skin in turn improving skin health. It may even help in relieving tension in the facial muscles.
— DR PREETI KOTHARI, MD, dermatologist
points out that users must not expect miracles with this tool. “Some fans of the tool claim that this may help reduce wrinkles or sagging or even help in contouring and building a sharper jawline, which is not true. Such results should be left to clinic procedures like botox, fillers, ultherapy, etc., which need to be performed by experts,” adds Dr Preeti. Dr Rekha also cautions that gua sha treatments can aggravate pre-existing dermatological conditions such as atopic eczema and acne and spread the existing infections to the surrounding skin while transferring the infections if the tools used are not disinfected properly. “It can even cause hives or other issues such as wheals in those who have a tendency for pressure urticarial,” elaborates Dr Rekha matter-of-factly. “Those on blood thinners may have bruises and red spots, which can last for longer. Hence, it is recommended to stay away from such treatments.”
The dermatologist also spells out that the treatment can cause redness, itching, irritation, dryness, burns and contact dermatitis as well as resultant blemishes secondary to scratches or pressure caused by the gua sha tools. “The clinical picture may mimic physical abuse especially when seen in youngsters or children and if one is unaware of this practice,” points out Dr Rekha. “One has to weigh the pros and cons and take expert opinion or guidance before resorting to any therapy as every skin is unique in itself. Also, one therapy doesn’t work for all,” she warns.