By Kristen Elise Laing-Herbert, Dermal Clinician and Co-Owner of LaGaia UNEDITED & People4ocean

← Previous: Part 4 — Body Gua Sha for Lymphatic Drainage

There’s something beautifully humbling about holding a piece of Bian stone in your hand. Cool to the touch, grounding and weighty, it carries not only mineral richness but also the wisdom of one of the world’s oldest natural skincare tools.

Gua sha (meaning “scraping sand”) has been practiced within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. Once used to release “stagnant” energy and restore balance, practitioners would glide a smooth-edged tool across the skin to stimulate circulation, ease inflammation, and clear what TCM calls “blood stasis” — considered a root cause of pain, fever, and even respiratory conditions (Nielsen, 1995); (Liu & Chen, 2012). Today, this ancient beauty treatment has become one of the most sought-after practices in the skincare industry, evolving from clinical therapy to a refined facial sculpting ritual.

From Healing to Sculpting: The Science of Gua Sha in Skincare

Modern research is now beginning to affirm what TCM practitioners knew intuitively: gua sha has measurable effects on both skin health and circulation. Clinical studies show that gua sha can significantly boost microcirculation and activate the immune response, with benefits that last for days after treatment (Nielsen, 2009).

On the face, this translates to benefits the beauty industry can’t ignore:

• Lymphatic drainage massage that reduces puffiness and promotes a more sculpted, lifted appearance.
• A naturally brighter, clearer complexion, thanks to improved blood and oxygen flow to the skin’s surface.
• Muscle tension relief, easing jaw tightness and softening fine lines caused by stress and expression.
• Long-term anti-aging potential, as circulation and gentle stimulation encourage collagen health and cellular renewal (Hamp et al., 2022).

Emerging studies even suggest that gua sha may influence gene expression linked to inflammation and immune regulation, opening up new conversations around its role in holistic skin wellness (Qi et al., 2023).

Why Choose Bian Stone for Your Gua Sha Tool?

While modern gua sha tools are often made from jade or rose quartz, Bian stone holds a special place in skincare heritage. Believed to have formed from ancient meteorite impact in Shandong, China, Bian stone contains over thirty trace minerals and naturally emits far-infrared waves. Many practitioners in the wellness industry suggest these properties enhance circulation and skin rejuvenation even further due to the natural energetic wavelength emitted by the stone.

By choosing a Bian stone gua sha, you’re not only tapping into a potent anti-aging skincare treatment but also aligning with the original, ancestral material that connects directly back to TCM’s roots.

Shop LaGaia Gua Sha tool →

Beauty Ritual, Not Just Routine

In an age of quick-fix serums and invasive procedures, gua sha offers something rare: ritual over routine. The gentle glide of stone across skin is not only sculpting cheekbones and supporting lymphatic drainage — it’s also calming the nervous system and activating holistic wellness from within.

And perhaps that’s gua sha’s greatest gift: reminding us that true radiance is not a surface-level trick. It’s cultivated through circulation, flow, and balance. It’s where skincare meets self-care.

So the next time you reach for your gua sha tool — especially one crafted from the timeless Bian stone — know that you’re engaging in more than just a trending beauty treatment. You’re participating in a skincare ritual passed down for centuries, one that bridges medicine, beauty, and the deeper pursuit of balance.

Elevate your skincare routine with LaGaia →

Next: Part 6 — Body Sculpting & The Science Behind the Scrape →

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References:

• Hamp, A., Anderson, J. D., Laughter, M., Anderson, J. B., Presley, C., Rundle, C., & Dellavalle, R. (2022). Gua‐sha, Jade Roller, and Facial Massage: Are there benefits within dermatology? Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.15421 
• Liu, M., & Chen, K. (2012). Gua Sha, an ancient technical management, for certain illness. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 19, 3–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-013-1326-1
• Nielsen, A. (1995). Gua sha: A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice.
• Nielsen, A. (2009). Gua sha research and the language of integrative medicine. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 13(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.04.045
• Qi, F., Cai, Y., Chen, J., Chen, C. L., Han, X. E., Xia, Q., & Kapranov, P. (2023). Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment, Gua Sha, can Induce Subtle Molecular Changes in Gene Expression. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 36(5), 441–451. https://doi.org/10.3967/bes2023.053