This little tool that has been seen all over social media recently fully lives up to the hype. Gua Sha comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been used for centuries to promote circulation and restore a youthful complexion. Gua Sha translates to “to scrape” (Gua) “sand” (Sha) and there are many different techniques as well as tools made from different stones, all with their own unique properties.
While our blood system circulates on its own, our lymphatic system needs to be stimulated to be fluent. Without external stimulation, the lymphatic fluid gets stagnant and accumulates toxins and waste. It’s function is to detoxify the body but this can only happen if it gets stimulated externally by heat (sauna), movement (exercise) or touch (massage). These processes help the lymph vessels to move waste to the lymph glands and from there to the kidneys where it gets eliminated through the bladder. Because our bodies are more likely to be moved than our faces, we need to make an extra effort to stimulate the lymphatic system in the face. This is where Gua Sha comes in. Regular facial massage helps to get the stagnant fluid in the face moving and brings an extraordinary amount of benefits:
- tighter & toned skin
- reduction of fine lines & wrinkles
- glowing complexion
- collagen stimulation
- detoxification
- relaxation
I have been personally using my rose quartz Gua Sha tool for over a year and it has become a fixed staple in my routine that I wouldn’t want to miss anymore. My skin has become more more glowing, toned and the whole process of putting oil on my skin at night and massaging areas in my face that are likely to tighten us during the day (neck, jaw & forehead) is incredibly relaxing.
Basic Gua Sha facial massage:
01. Clean your skin with your favorite cleanser.
02. Apply a facial oil of your choice. My favorites are Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum and MUN Aknari.
03. Hold your tool tightly between your fingers and start gliding up your neck on the right side with gentle pressure. Repeat a few times.
04. Next, start in the middle of the chin and glide the tool up the jaw line a few times.
05. Repeat, going over all other areas of the right side of the face, always moving outwards toward the ear.
06. When you are done with one side, drain the fluid all the way from the middle of the forehead down to the neck.
07. Repeat everything on the left side.
I personally use a rose quartz tool by Skin Gym for my massage, but there are many great brands and different stones for different purposes out there. Do your own research and find what works for you. There are also endless tutorials for different massage techniques, my favorite is Britta Beauty.
Gua Sha tool stone types:
- Rose Quartz: Rose Quartz has calming properties and is especially suitable for sensitive skin. Rose quartz is often associated with the heart chakra, supporting healing on a holistic level. Rose Quartz Gua Sha by Skin Gym
- Jade: Jade is a cooling stone which is a great counterbalance to the Gua Sha practice which generates heat in the face. It brings a balancing energy to your facial massage routine. Jade Gua Sha by Skin Gym
- Bian Stone: Bian is the most traditional material for a Gua Sha tool. It has been used in TCM for centuries and is said to have special healing properties. Bian Stone Gua Sha by Wildling Beauty
