To do gua sha on your neck, apply a few drops of face oil to clean skin, hold a smooth gua sha tool almost flat against the skin, and make slow, light downward strokes on the back and sides of the neck, never on the front of the throat. A gentle routine takes about 5 minutes, and all you need is a smooth gua sha tool, a little oil and a mirror.
Part of the 10-Minute Wind-Down series: short, calm routines you can do at home.
Time needed: About 5 minutes.
The gentle, skin-care style of gua sha has become a popular part of evening routines, and many people enjoy it as a calm few minutes of self-care. This guide covers the tool angle, the strokes for each area, what to skip and how this light routine differs from traditional gua sha. If you prefer to use your hands, see our guide to facial massage at home.
What you need: a smooth tool and some oil
- A gua sha tool: a flat tool made of stone, ceramic or another smooth material, with rounded edges. Check that there are no chips or rough edges before each use.
- Oil: a few drops of a face oil or a facial cream you already use, so the tool glides instead of dragging. Check for allergies before trying anything new.
- Clean skin and a clean tool: wash your hands, cleanse the skin and wash the tool with mild soap and water before and after use.
- A mirror: helpful for the first few times so you can see the angle.
To follow along, watch our 5-minute gua sha face and neck follow-along (video by Tina Engeo on YouTube).
Hold the tool flat, not upright
Hold the tool so it lies almost flat against your skin, at a low angle. Holding it upright, like a scraper, concentrates the pressure on a thin edge and can feel harsh. Keeping it flat spreads the pressure and makes each stroke feel smoother.
Use the long, curved edge of the tool for the neck. Keep your grip relaxed and let the tool glide; you should not need to push.
Back of the neck: slow downward strokes
- Apply a few drops of oil to the back of your neck.
- Place the flat edge of the tool just below your hairline at the back of the neck, to one side of the spine.
- Glide it slowly downwards towards the top of your shoulder, using light pressure.
- Repeat 5 to 8 times, then move to the other side of the spine.
- You can continue each stroke out along the top of the shoulder if that feels comfortable.
Keep the tool on the muscle either side of the spine, never on the bony ridge in the middle.
Sides of the neck: very light strokes
- Turn your head slightly to the opposite side so the side of the neck is gently lengthened.
- Place the tool just below the ear and glide it slowly down towards the collarbone, using only the lightest pressure, little more than the weight of the tool.
- Repeat 5 times, then switch sides.
The side of the neck is more delicate than the back, so think of these strokes as a gentle glide rather than a massage.
Areas to skip
- The front of the throat: never use the tool here.
- The spine: stay off the bony ridge down the back of the neck.
- Broken or irritated skin: skip cuts, rashes, active breakouts, sunburn, moles and bruises.
- Swollen or tender areas: leave them alone.
Safety note: stop if you feel pain, numbness or dizziness. Skip gua sha and check with a doctor first if you bruise easily, take blood-thinning medicine, have a skin condition or a medical condition, or have recently had a procedure on your face or neck.
How long and how often
About 5 minutes in total is plenty for the neck. Many people use it two or three times a week as part of an evening routine, but there is no need to do it every day. Gentle gua sha should not leave marks. If you see redness that lingers or any marks, you are pressing too hard, so lighten up or take a break.
Gentle routine vs the traditional technique
The routine on this page is the light, skin-care style that has become popular in beauty routines. Traditional gua sha comes from Chinese traditional practice and is usually done with much firmer strokes that can leave temporary red marks on the skin. That firmer version is a different practice and is best left to trained practitioners. Do not try to copy it at home.
This is not medical advice; see a professional for pain.
Frequently asked questions
What not to massage on neck?
Avoid the front of the throat, the area just under the jaw near the windpipe and the bones of the spine. Keep any neck massage at home to light strokes on the back and sides of the neck. If you have ongoing neck pain, see a doctor or physiotherapist.
Can you provide a tutorial for using a gua sha?
Start with clean skin and a few drops of oil, hold the tool almost flat, and glide it slowly and lightly in one direction, repeating each stroke 5 to 8 times. On the neck, work downwards on the back and sides and skip the front of the throat. Our follow-along video above shows a full short routine.
What is the correct way to massage the neck?
Use light pressure on the muscles at the back of the neck and the tops of the shoulders, with slow strokes or small circles. Stay off the spine and the front and sides of the throat, and stop if anything feels sharp. A licensed massage therapist can show you more if you want hands-on guidance.
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