Gua Sha is one of the latest luxury wellness treatments done with stylish jade or rose quartz tools.
Pronounced gwa sha, it’s said to contour the face, reduce puffiness and improve lymphatic drainage.
Gua Sha tools
While Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese method to improve overall health, it wasn’t designed for beauty.
Gua sha was originally used to revive exhausted peasants from heatstroke and to ward off seasonal cold/flu virus.
There were no fancy jade tools either. Animal horns or bones, soup spoons, a coin or even fists were used.
Gua means ‘scrape’ and the process resulted in bright red skin and pain.
Gua sha for face
The facial rejuvenation benefits of gua sha were discovered by mistake. Acupuncturists had been using meridian points on the face to treat ailments in other parts of the body. Then they noticed that complexions were improving and wrinkles were reducing.
Your face is a map to your overall wellbeing and emotional health, and acupuncturists can see which emotions are locked into your face.
This diagram shows you how your face is mapped to internal organs , according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are Five Elements, Fire, Wood, Water, Metal and Earth.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic system that looks to restore free flow of Qi throughout your body. Your face, tongue and pulses provide a map to the inner harmony of your body. Where you have blockages in the flow of Qi, pain occurs. Anger is an emotion that causes a disharmony to the Liver. An overworked Kidney is seen in dark shadows under your eyes. By restoring free flow of Qi, your body is healthier and this is reflected in better complexion.
Did you know….
French women have regular gua sha facials to release tension and emotions such as grief and anger, that are locked into facial muscles.
How to use a Gua sha tool
These crystals based tools can be used by beginners at home.
How to hold your gua sha tool
The specific holding technique is important. Apply the tool upwards and outwards, keeping it at a 15 degrees angle to your skin.
For wide areas use the flat surface and for smaller areas eg between your eyebrows, use the narrow or pointy part.
Do a maximum of 5-7 strokes on each area of your face- this is to prevent bruising or extreme redness. You may wish to do only 3-5 strokes. This is fine!
Keep the pace slow. If you are rushed for time, do fewer passes.
Be gentle around your eyes – no tugging!
Some people like to do a little wiggle of the tool before lifting it.
For extra benefits, use the pointed area of your gua sha tool to massage the acupressure points between your eyebows, at the end of your eyebrows, next to your nose and at your temples. (These face lift points are used in Wendy’s facial rejuvenation treatments!)
How to gua sha face
First cleanse your hands, face and gua sha tool. (see notes below)
Then apply an oil, serum or balm to your skin to prevent chafing or abrasion. A silky hyaluronic acid vitamin C serum is excellent. This is to is to provide slippage so that you don’t damage your skin by over stretching the collagen. Note: If the product sinks in and you feel tugging , apply another layer.
Or if you prefer a texture that is thicker, then a gua sha balm such a Samba is specifically designed for use with facial massage and Gua Sha. The cooling and repairing Blue Tansy extract helps reduce inflammation and speed healing. You leave Samba face balm on your skin – you do not remove it!
Using the diagram, the areas to focus on are:-
- Up your neck – do the back of the neck, sides and front.
- From your chin along the jaw line to your ears.
- From your nose towards your ears
- Up to your hairline from your eyebrows
When you’ve finished, spritz your face with a facial mist like Drench. Drink a glass of water or herbal tea to help flush the toxins from your system.
If you’ve got time and want to extend this into a spa-worthy luxury, apply a 24 carat gold mask or serum to your skin.
Wipe your gua sha tool with a tissue.
Extra tips for gua sha
If you wake in the morning with a puffy face, then do some gentle gua sha after spritzing your face with Drench facial tonic.
If you are stressed, then in the evening use your gua sha tool to loosen tightness. You may be surprised how much tension you have in your cheeks and jawline.
You can even massage your face while watching Netflix or reading a book!
Warning – never do gua sha over acne, maskne, irritation or sunburn. Do not use it for 14 days after injectable filler or botox.
Gua sha benefits
Benefits of gua sha on your face are said to be contouring and tightening of skin
You can expect a reduction in puffiness from the removal of congested and stagnant lymphatic fluids
Your skin is oxygenated and receives more nutrients through increased blood flow.
Waste products and toxins are eliminated.
Collagen production is boosted.
Tension in your face is released, which can reduces chronic neck pain and migraines
During lactating, it reduces breast engorgement
During perimenopause, it helps reduce insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, and hot flashes
Gua sha may reduce inflammation, so useful for conditions with chronic pain.
And it’s super easy to do at home. All you need is a tool, clean fingers, and a product to stop skin damage.
So consider using a gua sha tool to improve collagen , iron out wrinkles , depuff your face and and improve your complexion.
How often should you use Gua Sha?
You can do it daily or weekly.
What should I put on my face before gua sha?
A serum, facial oil or specific gua sha balm such as Samba.
Do you use oil with gua sha?
Yes – use a facial oil that is designed not to block pores. Look for one made with natural ingredients that suits your skin type. If you prefer to go oil- free use this gorgeous silky serum with skin-specific vitamin C
Can gua sha be harmful?
Yes – if you have had Botox or injectable fillers – you should not use it for 14 days after your treatment. Do not use gua sha on damaged, sunburnt or irritated or inflamed skin. Do not gua sha over active pimples or maskne. If you have rosacea, be extra gentle and don’t chill the gua sha tool in the fridge as some beauty bloggers suggest.
How to clean Gua sha
How to clean crystal facial tools
- Wipe them down with a tissue after doing your treatment.
- Certain crystals should not be placed in water.
- Rose quartz can be cleaned with warm soapy water. Dry well.
Gua sha tools uk
Available from glow-skincare.com with purchase of Samba (while stocks last) email me!
Rose quartz roller
Rose quartz rollers are a more gentle way to enjoy your Samba than the flat scraping tools. They are supremely cooling and useful to use with your night serum before bedtime.
They are also useful when you wake to depuff under your eyes.
Rose quartz benefits
Rose Quartz is the stone of universal love that restores trust and harmony in relationships. It promotes self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. Calming and reassuring, it helps to comfort in times of grief. Rose Quartz dispels negativity and protects against environmental pollution, replacing it with loving vibes.
Jade benefits
Jade is a protective stone that increases love and nurturing. Also a symbol of serenity, purity and wisdom gathered in tranquility. Jade attracts good luck and friendship and calms the mind, and reduces irritability. Jade removes toxins and balances body fluid so excellent for facial massage.
