What It Does And How To Use It Correctly

Using face-sculpting tools like gua sha stones or jade rollers to get brighter skin and a snatched jawline might seem like the buzzy new thing—according to TikTok, your aesthetician, every single one of your group chats—but they’re anything but. After all, the pursuit of good skin has been around for thousands of years (see: Cleopatra and her milk baths), so it’s not exactly a shocker that the tools and techniques (hello, face yoga) that aim to deliver just that have a similarly longstanding history.

If you’re not exactly feeling fillers or facelifts (we get it!) then sculpting tools might just be your new BFF. They’re used to manually massage the facial muscles, yielding brighter, tighter-looking skin in the process. And the results aren’t just hype: One recent study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that regularly massaging the face, either with gua sha or facial roller, could actually define facial contours and even improve elasticity.

Now, the Kansa wand is the latest up-and-coming part of this trend…sorta. “Kansa wands originated over 5,000 years ago in India during its Bronze age,” says Sanali McFadden, the wellness and spa director at Inness in Accord, NY. “The use of Kansa expanded as the ancient gurus discovered its ability to neutralize skin acidity, reduce inflammation, and increase circulation.”

Meet the experts: Sanali McFadden is the wellness and spa director at Inness in Accord, NY. Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA. Radihka Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Lockhart, TX.

So, let’s just call it a comeback. Here’s what you need to know about the tool.

What is a Kansa wand?

A Kansa wand is a facial massage tool made from wood that has a dome-shaped end made from a copper–tin alloy. “The rounded dome delivers a soothing, depuffing massage,” says Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA. “It’s been used for centuries in India for facial rejuvenation and relaxation.” In some cases, the Kansa wand is dual-ended, with two different-sized domes on either end to get into even more nooks and crannies.

That copper-tin alloy is worth a mention, since it’s the namesake “Kansa.” “Kansa, more commonly known as bell metal, was developed by early civilizations with evidence from the Indus Valley civilization around 3,200 B.C.,” says McFadden. Since it was thought to purify water and aid in digestion, it was initially used to create cooking vessels, cups, utensils, and plates, eventually expanded into use as a beauty tool.

Unlike a gua sha stone, this is much larger and shaped like a, well, wand. “It’s designed to gently glide over the skin to relax facial muscles, support circulation, and create a calming facial ritual,” says Debra Luftman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA. You can use a Kansa wand as part of your at-home skincare routine or experience it during a facial with an aesthetician. While DIYing it allows you to stay consistent, a professional treatment may offer more dramatic lifting, deeper muscle release, and a longer-lasting glow “due to comprehensive lymphatic mapping and controlled pressure, better sculpting through angles that are difficult to reach by yourself, and integration with other modalities such warm compressions, LED, and gua sha,” says McFadden.

What are the benefits of a Kansa wand?

Sure, you can expect a more snatched look in the mirror with regular use, but there are a host of other benefits to expect. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Reduced inflammation: Inflammation is the root of a ton of skin issues, be they redness, a damaged skin barrier, or breakouts. But the Kansa wand has antimicrobial and antioxidative properties that “can balance the skin’s pH to help reduce inflammation associated with acne and rosacea, overall swelling and puffiness, and redness in a post-procedure setting,” says Radihka Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Lockhart, TX.
• Lymphatic drainage: Just the manual massage with the wand alone can get fluids in the face moving, reducing swelling and restoring definition. (Hi, cheekbones!) That can help if your face looks a little more puffy than usual—or if you were up late last night.
• Better skincare absorption: Want your face serum to work a little better? The Kansa wand can help. “Using this tool to apply topical serums and creams can help increase penetration of the active ingredients in these products, which can lead to even more long-term benefits,” says Dr. Shah, who finds that patients tend to pile on their skincare without allowing them to fully sink in. “This tool allows them to really let the products absorb into the skin prior to applying the next product.”
• Increased circulation: The Kansa wand can “increase microcirculation for a natural glow,” says Dr. Berry. It’s mostly a side effect of the manual massage on your face. One study (though it was small) found that even in the short-term, a five-minute massage significantly increased blood flow into the skin. That can make beneficial compounds in your blood—think oxygen and nutrients—more available to your skin cells, boosting radiance.
• Reduced muscle tension: If your stress is written all over your face, the Kansa wand can help ease any tension held in your jaw and brow, according to Dr. Berry. It effectively kneads your facial muscles, leaving them relaxed. RBF? Never met her.
• Balanced pH: There’s not much evidence to back this one up, but the idea that Kansa can balance skin pH is a core part of its traditional use. “Ayurveda teaches that Kansa helps balance skin pH and draw out toxins,” says Dr. Berry. When skin’s pH is balanced, it supports better skin barrier function and overall comfort—good things you might not want to pass up, even if the science isn’t quite there.

How do you use a Kansa wand?

Never used a Kansa wand? You’re not alone. While a DIY treatment might not deliver the same breadth of results as a professional treatment from an aesthetician, it can still offer worthwhile perks. FYI: You might notice temporary grayness on the skin, warns Dr. Berry. “This is a normal surface reaction between the metal and skin acidity, and it rinses off easily,” she says. She also advises against using the wand over broken skin, active eczema, or over acne lesions, since the pressure could worsen things. And finally, avoid oils if you’re acne prone or tend to get milia (tiny clogged pores). With that in mind, here’s what experts recommend.

Step 1: Cleanse your skin

Dr. Berry recommends using your Kansa wand after cleansing and toning, but before applying moisturizer—so start by washing your face. “If you’re masking, use the wand beforehand to help enhance absorption,” she says.

Step 2: Apply face oil or serum

To help the Kansa wand glide over the skin, apply a few drops of face oil or serum. “In traditional Ayurvedic facial treatments, an application of ‘Kumkumudi’ oil—a blend of saffron, sandalwood, vetiver and licorice in a sesame oil base—takes place prior to the facial massage with the Kansa wand,” says Sanali. Dr. Berry, for her part, recommends squalane or jojoba oils, since they’re non-comedogenic and thus won’t clog pores.

Step 3: Massage your face

Using circular, figure-eight, or upward strokes, massage the Kansa wand into your face and neck.

Step 5: Jawline

First, “move from the chin toward the ears with light pressure,” says Dr. Berry. “Most people naturally find their areas of tension.” She stresses using very light pressure so that the Kansa wand glides over skin instead of dragging it.

Step 4: Cheeks

Glide the wand upwards or use gentle circular strokes, starting at the nose and moving out towards the temples, says Dr. Berry.

Step 5: Forehead

For the forehead, Dr. Berry recommends sweeping upward from the brows to the hairline and circling gently at the temples.

Step 6: Pat your product in

If you have any excess face oil or serum, pat it into skin until it’s absorbed. Then, follow with your moisturizer if you need it.

3 Kansa Wands To Use At Home

Best Overall

Ranavat Kansa Wand Detoxifying Facial Massage Tool

Crafted from pure Kansa (a mix of copper and tin), this massage tool is handmade in India from an Ayurvedic brand that also includes top-notch skincare products. And in 0ne 33-person consumer study, 97% of subjects reported their skin was stimulated and refreshed after just one use.

Budget Pick

Health And Wealth Kansa Wand Face and Foot Massager

This wand is lightweight and easy to use, with a tip crafted from bronze (a lead-free allow of copper and tin). The hand-carved handle is easier to grip and smooth across the face during your at-home massage.

Best Multi-Use

SoulGenie Health And Yoga BronzLift Kansa Wand

The large bronze dome can be used all over the face or on the feet for a relaxing massage while the smaller tip on the end is perfect for targeted areas like the undereyes, behind the ears, and on the nose. Plus, it includes a trial size facial oil that you can use along with the tool during your ritual.

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Bottom line: Is it worth using a Kansa wand?

If you have the time and energy—and are dealing with puffiness, dull skin, or facial tension—then the Kansa wand is worth a shot, according to Dr. Berry. “It also works well for anyone looking to add a non-invasive, grounding ritual to their routine,” she says.” Dr. Shah, for her part, also recommends it for those who deal with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or redness, as well as people with acne scars. “Scar massage is a known technique to stimulate wound healing, and the Kansa wand helps to accomplish just that,” she says.

However, the benefits tend to be temporary, so expect to use it three or four times a week in order to maintain them. “Any longer-term benefits—like slightly improved tone—come from consistent massage rather than the metal itself,” says Dr. Luftman.

And get ready for a (slight) learning curve. “The wand feels difficult to use initially due to its size, but with time, practice, and an instructional video or two, you can master the art of the Kansa wand,” says Dr. Shah.

Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer and editor currently based in New York. She has more than 10 years of experience writing about beauty and wellness. 

Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.