In a world with seemingly endless recommendations for ways to improve our skin, gua sha (pronounced gwah-shah) tools are having a moment. Theyre smooth, half moon-shaped stones that massage your face, claiming to lift, smooth and even drain. But the practice is nothing new. It actually predates modern medicine and originated in China, where the stones have been used to treat all sorts of ailments by scraping (gua) the skin. Like acupuncture, it is based on the concept of promoting qi (pronounced chee), the balance and flow of our bodys energy.

Facial gua sha claims to give you clear skin, fewer wrinkles and a more sculpted appearance , and many skin care brands now produce a facial gua sha tool to accompany their products. But does it actually do anything? And is it worth our money? We spoke to experts on two sides of the issue: a gua sha practitioner and an aesthetic medical doctor.

Heres what the gua sha practitioner says

First up is Chinese medicine expert and founder of Hayou Method , U.K.-based Katie Brindle, who has researched the subject since 2002 and written a book about it. Brindle is a qualified Five Elements Chinese medical practitioner, having graduated from the U.K.s Integrated College of Chinese Medicine.