How to use your gua sha

Gua sha is a traditional massage technique. You glide a smooth-edged tool over the skin with a little facial oil. It takes a few minutes and fits easily into a morning or evening routine.

Intended use

Made for a gentle facial massage on the cheeks, jawline, forehead and neck. It is a self-care ritual, not a medical treatment.

Step by step

  1. Cleanse your face and apply 3 to 5 drops of facial oil or serum.
  2. Start at the neck and glide upward, holding the tool almost flat.
  3. Move to the jawline and cheeks, gliding upward and outward.
  4. Finish with the forehead, from the centre toward the temples.
  5. Repeat each stroke 5 to 10 times with light to medium pressure.

How often: A few times a week, for a few minutes per session.

Safety

Use light to medium pressure and stop if anything feels uncomfortable. Do not use on irritated, broken or sunburnt skin. If you have a skin condition, a metal allergy, or recent facial injections or surgery, ask your doctor first.

Care

Clean with warm, soapy water after each use, then dry and store in a safe place.

Where to use it

The face areas that suit this tool, with techniques and the muscles found in each area.

Forehead

A broad area that moves every time you raise your eyebrows. Long, slow strokes work well here.

Techniques
Upward and outward glide

The basic gua sha stroke. Hold the tool flat against the skin and glide from the centre of the face toward the ears, or from the neck up toward the jaw.

  1. Apply a few drops of facial oil or serum to clean skin.
  2. Hold the tool almost flat against the skin.
  3. Glide upward and outward in one slow, even stroke.
  4. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each area, then move on.

Pressure: Light to medium

Use light to medium pressure only. The skin should never be red or sore afterwards.

Light upward roll

Roll the tool over face and neck with light pressure, always moving upward and outward.

  1. Apply a few drops of facial oil or serum.
  2. Start at the neck and roll upward.
  3. Roll from the centre of the face toward the ears.
  4. Finish with a light roll over the forehead.

Pressure: Light

Keep the pressure light and skip areas with irritated or broken skin.

Muscles in this area
Frontalis

Keep the pressure light and stay away from the hairline if your scalp is sensitive.

Around the eyes

The skin here is thin, so this area calls for the lightest touch. A cool globe feels refreshing, especially in the morning.

Techniques
Gentle eye-area sweep

A very light sweep along the bone around the eye, with a rounded edge or a cool globe.

  1. Use the smallest, roundest edge or a cool globe.
  2. Sweep from the inner corner of the eye outward along the bone.
  3. Never press on the eyeball or the delicate skin of the lid.

Pressure: Very light

Use extremely light pressure and stay on the bone around the eye. Skip this step if the skin is irritated.

Cool glide

Glide chilled stainless steel globes over face and neck for a fresh, cooling morning massage.

  1. Chill the globes in the fridge, not the freezer.
  2. Apply a light serum or oil to clean skin.
  3. Glide from the centre of the face outward and up along the neck.
  4. Keep the total time to 1 to 3 minutes.

Pressure: Very light

Stop if it feels too cold. Do not use frozen tools on the skin.

Muscles in this area
Orbicularis oculi

Extremely light pressure. Stay on the bone around the eye and never press on the eyeball.

Upper cheeks

The cheekbone area, home to the muscles you use to smile. Glide from the nose toward the temples.

Techniques
Upward and outward glide

The basic gua sha stroke. Hold the tool flat against the skin and glide from the centre of the face toward the ears, or from the neck up toward the jaw.

  1. Apply a few drops of facial oil or serum to clean skin.
  2. Hold the tool almost flat against the skin.
  3. Glide upward and outward in one slow, even stroke.
  4. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each area, then move on.

Pressure: Light to medium

Use light to medium pressure only. The skin should never be red or sore afterwards.

Light upward roll

Roll the tool over face and neck with light pressure, always moving upward and outward.

  1. Apply a few drops of facial oil or serum.
  2. Start at the neck and roll upward.
  3. Roll from the centre of the face toward the ears.
  4. Finish with a light roll over the forehead.

Pressure: Light

Keep the pressure light and skip areas with irritated or broken skin.

Gliding cup

Facial cupping with light suction. Always keep the cup moving over a layer of facial oil.

  1. Apply a layer of facial oil so the cup glides.
  2. Squeeze the cup, place it on the skin and release for light suction.
  3. Glide slowly from the centre of the face toward the ears.
  4. Finish down the side of the neck, then remove the cup.

Pressure: Light

Light suction only, and never stay in one spot. Overuse can irritate the skin. Stop if anything feels uncomfortable.

Muscles in this area
Zygomaticus majorZygomaticus minorLevator labii superioris

Light to medium pressure. Keep a cup moving at all times.

Mid cheeks

The soft area between the cheekbone and the jaw. Long, slow strokes work best.

Techniques
Upward and outward glide

The basic gua sha stroke. Hold the tool flat against the skin and glide from the centre of the face toward the ears, or from the neck up toward the jaw.

  1. Apply a few drops of facial oil or serum to clean skin.
  2. Hold the tool almost flat against the skin.
  3. Glide upward and outward in one slow, even stroke.
  4. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each area, then move on.

Pressure: Light to medium

Use light to medium pressure only. The skin should never be red or sore afterwards.

Gliding cup

Facial cupping with light suction. Always keep the cup moving over a layer of facial oil.

  1. Apply a layer of facial oil so the cup glides.
  2. Squeeze the cup, place it on the skin and release for light suction.
  3. Glide slowly from the centre of the face toward the ears.
  4. Finish down the side of the neck, then remove the cup.

Pressure: Light

Light suction only, and never stay in one spot. Overuse can irritate the skin. Stop if anything feels uncomfortable.

Muscles in this area
BuccinatorRisorius

Light to medium pressure.

Jawline and neck

A popular area for gua sha and cupping. Work from the collarbone up toward the jaw and ears.

Techniques
Short jawline strokes

Short, slow strokes along the underside of the jaw, using the curved edge of the tool.

  1. Place the curved edge under the chin.
  2. Glide along the jawbone toward the ear.
  3. Finish with a stroke from the collarbone up the side of the neck.

Pressure: Light

Keep the pressure light on the neck and avoid pressing on the front of the throat.

Gliding cup

Facial cupping with light suction. Always keep the cup moving over a layer of facial oil.

  1. Apply a layer of facial oil so the cup glides.
  2. Squeeze the cup, place it on the skin and release for light suction.
  3. Glide slowly from the centre of the face toward the ears.
  4. Finish down the side of the neck, then remove the cup.

Pressure: Light

Light suction only, and never stay in one spot. Overuse can irritate the skin. Stop if anything feels uncomfortable.

Light upward roll

Roll the tool over face and neck with light pressure, always moving upward and outward.

  1. Apply a few drops of facial oil or serum.
  2. Start at the neck and roll upward.
  3. Roll from the centre of the face toward the ears.
  4. Finish with a light roll over the forehead.

Pressure: Light

Keep the pressure light and skip areas with irritated or broken skin.

Muscles in this area
PlatysmaSternocleidomastoid

Light pressure on the neck. Avoid the front of the throat and stop if you feel dizzy.

Train it with the Face Yoga App

Pair your tool massage with guided face exercises. These moves are in the app.

Forehead Smoother

Raise the brows against light finger resistance, with the skin held flat.

Forehead · Holds of about 5 to 10 seconds

Cheek Lifter

Smile with an O-shaped mouth to work the cheek muscles.

Upper cheeks · Holds of about 5 to 10 seconds

Apple Cheek Lift

Lift the cheeks toward the eyes in a held smile.

Upper cheeks · Holds of about 5 to 10 seconds

Balloon Cheek

Fill the cheeks with air to work the inner cheek muscle.

Mid cheeks · Holds of about 5 to 10 seconds

Upward Neck Kiss

Tilt the head back and pucker toward the ceiling to work the neck.

Jawline and neck · Holds of about 5 to 10 seconds

Jaw & Platysma Stretch

A stretch for the jawline and the front of the neck.

Jawline and neck · Holds of about 5 to 10 seconds

Get the app

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a face oil or serum?

We recommend a few drops of face serum or a light facial oil on clean skin, so the tool glides smoothly.

How long does a session take?

A few minutes is enough. Rebel Skin tools are made for a quick ritual that fits into your morning or evening routine.

Can I keep my tool in the fridge?

Our stainless steel tools can be used cool or at room temperature. For an extra soothing, cooling effect, keep them in the fridge for a few minutes before use. Do not put them in the freezer.

How do I clean my tool?

Clean it after each use with warm, soapy water or a soft, damp cloth, then dry it and store it in a clean place. The Materials and care section above has the details for your tool.

Can I use it on sensitive skin?

Start with light pressure and test on a small area first. If you have a known metal allergy, check with your doctor before use. Stop if you notice redness, irritation or discomfort, and do not use the tool on irritated, broken or sunburnt skin.

Can I use it if I am pregnant, have a skin condition or recent injections?

We cannot give medical advice. If you are pregnant, have a skin condition, or have had facial injections or surgery recently, please ask your doctor before using a facial tool. Rebel Skin tools are for self-care and are not a medical treatment.

Can I return it if it is not right for me?

Yes. You may request a return within 30 days after your item is delivered. Return shipping is free and we provide the label. Please contact us at hello@rebelskin.com before sending anything back. Items must come back unused and in their original packaging.

Do the tools replace face exercises?

No, they are two different things that go well together. The tools are for a gentle massage. Face exercises train the muscles with guided moves. The Face Yoga App has exercises you can combine with your tool.

Which edge of the gua sha should I use where?

Try the different edges on your cheeks, jawline and neck and keep the one that sits best on each area. Use the smallest, roundest edge with very light pressure around the eyes.

How often should I use my gua sha?

Many people use gua sha a few times a week as part of a consistent self-care routine. Use light to medium pressure, 5 to 10 strokes per area.

When is the best time to use the roller?

Whenever suits you. Many people use it in the morning, before applying makeup, or in the evening. Roll lightly upward and outward over your serum or oil.

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