Does Gua Sha leave marks?

Two kinds of Gua Sha, two different aims

Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese technique: a smooth-edged tool is drawn across oiled skin in repeated strokes. In its traditional form, usually on the back, neck and shoulders, the strokes are firm, and the red or purple spotting they raise is intended. Dermatology Times describes traditional Gua Sha as using firm pressure to raise those spots on purpose.

Facial Gua Sha borrows the tool and the stroke, not the force. Cleveland Clinic describes it as done with very light pressure, because the skin of the face is thinner than the skin of the body. Healthline draws the same line: on the face, the tool is swept upward and outward with a pressure too light to leave the spots that body Gua Sha can.

So when someone asks whether Gua Sha leaves marks, the honest answer is that it depends on which Gua Sha they mean.

What the marks actually are

The reddish-purple spots are petechiae: tiny points of bleeding just under the skin, where small capillaries have broken under the pressure of the tool. Firmer or repeated scraping can also leave bruising or discoloration. After traditional Gua Sha on the body these marks are expected, and Healthline notes that they usually disappear within a couple of days and should not be painful.

The face is a different matter. Dermatology Times explains that facial skin is thinner and its capillaries sit closer to the surface, so the force used on the back would bruise the face far more easily. It links vigorous, frequent scraping of the face with damaged capillaries and, in some people, patches of darker pigmentation afterwards. None of that is the aim of a facial.

What facial Gua Sha should feel like

Cleveland Clinic’s guidance allows for a little redness, but never to the point of pain. Spots, purple streaks or bruising on the face mean the pressure was too firm, or the skin needed a gentler approach.

If you use a stone at home, the same principles apply:

• Keep the pressure light. Facial Gua Sha should never hurt.
• Use enough slip. A facial oil or moisturizer lets the tool glide rather than drag.
• Leave some skin alone. Skip anything swollen, irritated, sunburned or broken.
• Stop if you see marks. They are a sign to ease off, not a sign that it is working.

For more on home use, read Gua Sha at home or in the studio: what each one offers.

Who marks more easily

Some skin bruises or marks more readily, whatever the pressure. Dermatology Times names active rosacea, visible broken capillaries and other fragile blood vessels as the most likely to show damage from scraping. Healthline advises speaking to a healthcare professional first if you take blood thinners, have a clotting disorder, or take medication that affects blood cell production, such as chemotherapy. Cleveland Clinic adds diabetes, skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, and pregnancy to the list of reasons Gua Sha may not suit you.

If any of these applies, ask your doctor or dermatologist before having Gua Sha, and mention it when you book. A mark that does not fade, or bruising you cannot explain, is a question for a doctor, not for a facialist.

Gua Sha at RRYL

At RRYL, the Gua Sha Facial is a 60-minute appointment, one-on-one with Bouchra in a private studio on Fifth Avenue, entirely on the outside of the face. The Gua Sha work covers the face and neck, with a smooth-edged tool and a facial oil.

It is facial Gua Sha, and it does not leave marks. Bouchra adapts pressure and pace to your skin as she works; tell her at any point if anything feels too firm. If your skin marks easily, or you have a skin condition or take any medication, mention it when you book so she can advise whether this facial suits you.

If you would like Gua Sha and buccal massage in one appointment, the 90-minute Gua Sha Buccal Facial includes Gua Sha over the face and neck as well as gloved work inside the mouth. Both are described on the buccal facials page.

Before you book

• Mention any tendency to bruise, any skin condition and any medications, including blood thinners and prescription skincare.
• Please mention any recent Botox, filler or other injectables, and any recent dental work.
• In the calendar, choose the facial by name; nothing is preselected.

Frequently asked questions

Does facial Gua Sha bruise?

It should not. Bruising on the face usually means the pressure was too firm, or the skin is more fragile than usual. Facial Gua Sha at RRYL does not leave marks.

How long do Gua Sha marks last?

Marks from traditional Gua Sha on the body usually fade within a couple of days, according to Healthline. If a mark on your face lasts longer than that, or you bruise without a clear reason, see a doctor.

Is it normal for my face to look pink afterwards?

A little redness can appear with facial Gua Sha, as Cleveland Clinic notes. Spots, streaks or bruises are not part of it.

Is this medical treatment?

No. RRYL Skin Spa provides cosmetic skincare services and does not diagnose or treat medical conditions. Individual results vary.

Sources

• Cleveland Clinic, “Why Gua Sha Might Be Good for You”.
• Healthline, “Gua Sha: How to, Benefits, and Side Effects”, medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle, L.Ac., updated July 2025.
• Dermatology Times, “Social Media Mythbusters: At-Home Facial Gua Sha”, 2026.