Wooden gua shas, as the name suggests, are made of wood. Wood is used as it provides a lightweight option for body gua sha and can prevent fatigue from creeping in.
However, a naturally occurring substance, wood, is susceptible to being cracked and splintered. This is why a wooden gua sha is prone to being splintered over time.
Some low-quality wooden gua sha tools may also not be polished properly which will mean that the surface is rough to touch and will leave splinters on your skin as you use it. This is why it is important to choose high-quality materials such as stainless steel that will never splinter and need not be replaced.
Even though it is made with a natural ingredient, wooden gua shas are not durable and need to be replaced frequently.
Wood is also porous - which means that the bacteria and dirt from your skin and facial oil will seep into the wood and can never be fully cleaned.
What to do if you get a splinter from wooden gua sha?
- Try to remove it carefully using a tweezers
- Soften the area by soaking it in warm water
- If you can’t remove it, its best to consult a doctor
