Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

Is It Better To Gua Sha In The Morning Or At Night? A TCM Expert Explains

Jamie Schneider
Author:
August 03, 2021
Jamie Schneider
Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
By Jamie Schneider
Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
Jamie Schneider is the Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.
woman using a jade gua sha stone on her cheekbone
Image by ohlamour studio / iStock
August 03, 2021
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

Gua sha is an ancient healing modality in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) meant to increase circulation, move lymph, and clear stagnant energy (called chi). Historically and professionally, the technique is used to treat your whole body and aid immune function; but in the West, it's frequently touted for its ability to sculpt the skin and rejuvenate the face. 

We've consulted Eastern medicine experts on the best gua sha stones, tutorials, and the most common mistakes, but we haven't yet discussed the following: What is the best time of day to gua sha? 

It's sort of a loaded question because, well, there isn't one "right" answer. According to acupuncturist Paige Yang, L.Ac., DACM, MSTCM, doctor of TCM and founder of Yang Face, the time of day you gua sha depends on your intention for the practice. Below, she explains the benefits of gua sha in the morning versus at night. 

In the morning.

"If I do gua sha in the morning, then my intention is to invigorate chi and blood and wake up the channels and meridians," says Yang. "People may also find that doing gua sha in the morning can reduce puffiness and brighten the complexion. This is because gua sha is stimulating chi and blood circulation." 

If you do choose to gua sha in the morning, you'll want to use upward strokes—this stimulates blood flow in the face, which can "wake up" your complexion and help you prepare for the day to come. "I stroke upward on the neck to bring chi and blood up and help awaken my shen, or spirit and essence," says Yang. 

It's a similar reason facialists recommend applying your skin care products in upward motions for a morning glow: By floating your hands in this direction, you're encouraging more circulation in the tissue, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. 

At night. 

On the other hand, some people prefer to gua sha in the evenings. There's a practical reason for this: You might not enjoy slipping on an oil in the mornings—especially if you're going to layer on makeup that day. (Remember: You should always apply a face oil before gliding your stone so you don't tug at the skin.) While we believe high-quality facial oils are for everyone (and you can find fairly lightweight options), you might not feel as comfortable patting on a heavier occlusive in the a.m. 

But the main reason you may want to gua sha at night, according to Yang, is to help break up stagnant chi that accumulates throughout the day. If the morning is about stimulating blood flow and awakening the skin and spirit, the evening is about calming everything down. "If I do gua sha at night, then my intention is to smooth chi and blood that stagnated during the day, reduce stress and tension, and calm the mind as well as spirit," Yang notes. "The chi and blood can stagnate throughout the day due to stress, screen time, and 'stuck' emotions." 

That being said, if you do want to smooth chi with an evening gua sha, you'll want to use downward strokes on the neck to encourage blood flow in that direction (you can still glide upwards on the face, says Yang, but to promote a sense of calm at night, you'll want to add some downward strokes on the neck). "This helps calm the mind and spirit, as well as return any congested chi and blood to the body to then be processed by the other internal organs. I also imagine putting my face to rest/sleep when I do this," says Yang. 

The takeaway. 

There isn't one time of day that's "best" for gua sha—it just depends on what you'd like to get out of your practice (and for what it's worth: You can gua sha any time of day you like). But if you're hoping to energize the body and stimulate circulation, perhaps gua sha in the morning using upward strokes; to break up congested chi and prepare your body for sleep, Yang recommends a nighttime practice. 

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Lifestyle
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.