Can Gua Sha Cause Wrinkles? A Dermatologist's Answer & Advice

Gua sha is a tool many skin care experts swear by—myself included. I currently have a collection of about six or seven tools, each a different shape and stone. I'm even known to carry one around in my purse, should the occasion call for a sculpting routine while I'm out and about.

And they aren't just pretty little things—these stones have a long tradition in traditional Chinese medicine (primarily for bodywork, but most modern iterations seem to favor the face) and can help relieve tight muscles, increase circulation, and sculpt the skin.

"Some people get nervous to use a gua sha tool since it looks like it is pulling at your face and tugging the skin, which we know can promote fine lines and wrinkles. However, if you use the tool gently and properly, it will not cause any wrinkling," assures board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skinfluence Marina Peredo, M.D.

So there you have it: As long as you're not being too aggressive with your movements, you're in the clear for fine lines. One way to make sure you're not accidentally pulling too much is to use a silky-enough oil underneath. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes people make with facial massages is they don't use oils along with their tools—the oil will help the stone slide over the skin, not drag.

Peredo goes on to note that you should "make sure you are not pulling the skin downward; always use an upward motion, and do not apply too much pressure."