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The Chinese skincare technique known as gua sha is all the rage these days. Anyone with an account on Instagram, TikTok, or even Facebook can type "#guasha" into the search bar to find all kinds of information about how this form of skincare works. While gua sha can be done all over the body, it's predominantly used on the face and neck areas.

Stainless steel, jade green, and rose quartz stand out as some of the most popular tools to use. They're not only quite affordable to purchase online, but they're also uniquely designed to work on the face's natural shapes and crevices.

Whether you're new to this form of skincare or have been doing it for many years, there are three dangerous gua sha mistakes to avoid.

Not cleaning your face first

Gua sha should always be done on a clean face. Your face needs to be washed with soap and water before you get your stone out to start scraping. Gua sha-ing a dirty face largely defeats the purpose of this skincare. It also makes you more at risk for scrubbing toxins and impurities deeper into your face.

Many people gua sha in the mornings after they've freshened up or at night after they've showered and gotten clean.

Not prepping your face with oils before scraping

Before you even pick up your gua sha tool, you first need to prep your face with oil. The oil should go onto your clean face before any scraping starts. Ideally, you want the skin you'll gua sha to be shiny and slippery to the touch.

Gua sha-ing a clean, oily face protects your skin from the friction of your stone or tool of choice. Without the oil, constantly scraping a dry face would lead to microtears and broken skin.

After you've completed your gua sha session, you can rub the excess oil into your skin to lock in moisture.

Not washing your stone/tool after you're done with gua sha

No matter what tool you use to gua sha, it always needs to be cleaned after you're finished. Washing your tool with soap and water removes excess oils and other impurities, making it sanitary for use the next time you gua sha.

Once you've washed your stone, don't forget to place it in an enclosed case where it'll remain clean and protected from the elements.