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Vivid red and purple gua sha photos can set an unhelpful target. Here is why gentle pressure and careful skin recovery matter more than colour.

Pictures that set the wrong target

Summer gua sha articles and social posts are often illustrated with broad patches of red or purple skin. Those images can be eye-catching, but a vivid photograph should never become a treatment target or a challenge to recreate at home.

Agreeing on pressure together

If you are considering gua sha with Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, at the Lane Cove clinic, start by agreeing on a pressure you can tolerate comfortably. Let her know straight away if it starts to feel too much. Talk too about how your skin's recovery will shape any later sessions.

Do not chase colour

It can be tempting to keep going over an area because the colour looks faint compared with pictures online. Please resist. Continuing over irritated skin can cause harm without serving any useful purpose. The more helpful questions are whether the approach suits you and whether your original concern is being looked after safely.

Watching how the skin settles

Ahead of the next visit, report anything that bothered you once you got home. Things to note include:

• how long any marks took to fade;
• whether the area felt sore to touch;
• any itching, broken skin or swelling.

Pressure and strokes should be matched to you, never to a shade in a magazine. With those notes in hand, Christine can suggest carrying on, softening the approach or switching to something else. If you notice anything unusual, such as bruising without a clear cause, mention it to your GP as well.

Light marks are not a failure

Skin varies enormously from person to person. Some people barely colour at all with gua sha, and that says nothing about whether the session was worthwhile. Keep your attention on how you feel and what you came in for, and share those observations at the Lane Cove clinic, where the conversation can focus on comfort and your everyday activities.