Facial vs. Body Gua Sha: A Clinical Pearl

In recent years, the journey for one to enhance his or her aesthetic image sans chemicals has increased. Thus, the use of noninvasive aesthetics tools, like gua sha, have seen an influx in use in recent years.1 Gua sha stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices and is used daily in TCM treatments; however, the use of gua sha in skin of color clients for aesthetic purposes is not readily observed. The usage between gua sha for the body and gua sha for the face in skin of color clients is also not readily documented. Thus, bringing attention to the differences between facial and body gua sha, as well as how each treatment manifests in darker skin types, can prove to be beneficial to aesthetics providers who seek to use these tools in their practice and in this client population.

CLASSIFYING SKIN

Before diving into the difference between these two modalities, it’s important to recall the skin type scale. Basically, human skin varies from dark pigmentation, brown or black, to very light or white. There are various methods available for the evaluation of skin color.
Two of the most commonly use skin color scares are the Von Luschan chromatic scale and the Fitzpatrick scale. These scales are used by dermatologists and aesthetics practitioners to determine which treatments are best suited for different skin types.5 In short, the Fitzpatrick Scale is a numerical chart that measures the amount of melanin in the skin after exposure to the sun.5 Each scale is significant as it gives the provider a sense of what skin type they are working with before administering a treatment. Thus, one is prepared for how changes will present in skin based on that skin type. Moreover, if a treatment is applied, one must understand the level of melanin in the clients’ skin in order to look closely for the physical changes which arise in post-gua sha treatments.

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Dr. Zakiya M. Cush, MSTOM MPH is board-certified by the NCCAOM and specializes in cosmetic acupuncture & holistic dermatology. Dr. Cush implements Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese herbalism therapies to help refine the way the skin ages, thereby creating a healthy and radiant glow from the inside out. Dr. Cush is committed to educating healthcare providers and the public on dermatologic health issues related to skin of color. Sheis a certified integrative microneedling practitioner, certified aesthetic laser technician, and she successfully completed the first nationally recognized 100-hour Advanced Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture program, taught by the esteemed Dr. Shellie Goldstein, L.Ac.