Discover a deeper kind of self care

If you’ve scrolled through social media lately, you’ve probably seen gua sha, a smooth stone or stainless steel tool gliding across the face, sculpting cheekbones, and creating glowing skin. While it might look like just another beauty trend, gua sha is far more than that.

For centuries, gua sha has been used to ease tension, support healing, and improve overall well-being. At Heights, we use gua sha not just for outer beauty, but for how it helps you feel calm, grounded, and renewed.

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha (pronounced gwah-shah) means “scraping” in Chinese. This ancient technique involves gently scraping the skin with a rounded-edged tool. When paired with oil, the tool glides smoothly across the skin, reducing friction.

While many people think of gua sha as a facial tool, it’s actually a therapeutic technique that benefits the entire body. With consistent practice, gua sha creates lasting improvements inside and out.

How Does Gua Sha Benefit the Mind and Body?

Whether you’re a stressed professional, busy parent, or someone seeking natural wellness, gua sha offers a range of holistic benefits.

Relaxation

The rhythmic scraping motions activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your body enter its “rest and digest” state. Gua sha also stimulates the release of oxytocin, a natural feel-good hormone that lowers anxiety and promotes a tranquil sense of calm.

Improved Circulation

Gua sha increases blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles and skin. This supports cellular repair, reduces puffiness, and creates a natural, radiant glow.

Tension Release

If you carry stress in your jaw, neck, or shoulders, gua sha can help release muscle adhesions and loosen tight areas caused by daily stressors.

Lymphatic Drainage

The sweeping motions of gua sha help move lymphatic fluid toward the lymph nodes, reducing puffiness and flushing out toxins. This supports the body’s natural detox process, leaving you feeling lighter and refreshed.

Natural Radiance

The combination of circulation, relaxation, and lymphatic drainage enhances your skin from within. Over time, gua sha can soften fine lines, improve skin tone, and restore a youthful glow.

Gua Sha for the Body, Not Just the Face

Although gua sha is best known as a facial ritual, it is just as powerful when applied to the body.

When combined with massage therapy, gua sha massage benefits include:

Relieving sore or tight muscles
Supporting recovery and flexibility
Enhancing relaxation during treatment

What to Expect at Heights

At-home gua sha tools are popular, but experiencing this therapy with a trained professional is transformative. At Heights, our therapists combine gua sha with facials and massage to provide a complete wellness experience.

Here’s what makes Heights different:

Expert Guidance: Our therapists are specially trained to ensure safe, effective results.
Personalized Care: Whether your goal is lymphatic drainage, tension relief, or glowing skin, we tailor every treatment to your unique needs.
Whole-Body Wellness: It’s not just about leaving with brighter skin. It’s about walking out feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to yourself.

“When guests experience gua sha with a trained professional, the results go beyond what you can achieve at home. It’s not just about skin glow, it’s about releasing tension, supporting circulation, and leaving the treatment room feeling lighter and more at ease,” says Sarah Naselli, Esthetic Operations and Training Specialist at Heights Wellness Retreat.

Gua Sha as Self-Care

Life moves fast. Between work, family, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to forget about yourself. Gua sha is more than a beauty tool. It’s a way to pause, reconnect, and give your body the care it needs.

Incorporating gua sha into your self-care routine offers lasting benefits. When paired with massage or facial therapy, it helps you restore balance in both body and mind.

Experience the Power of Gua Sha

Gua sha may be trending, but the benefits are far beyond beauty. At Heights we offer gua sha to help you feel renewed inside and out.

If you’re ready to take your self-care to the next level to feel more relaxed, release tension, and see your skin glow, gua sha is waiting for you.

Book your session today and discover how gua sha can change your self-care routine.

About the Heights Expert

Sarah Naselli, Esthetic Operations and Training Specialist at Heights Wellness Retreat

After spending a decade in the wedding industry, Naselli discovered a passion for beauty and wellness and helping others find solutions for their skin. She earned her esthetician license in 2021 and became a beauty advisor at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue for brands such as YSL and Giorgio Armani, eventually leading her to become a certified national makeup artist for those brands.

She went on to be a sales and service coordinator at Sephora where she oversaw and trained a team of estheticians. In this role, she also acted as brand liaison for all brands the store carried.