Who would ever think such a pretty little stone packs so much anti-aging magic. Gua sha (gwa-sah) meaning "to scrape away illness" was used in Chinese medicine thousands of years ago but at that time, this technique was not used as a facial beautifying tool, the realization of the anti-aging & skin benefits happened later down the line. The method involves applying pressure along specific "energy lines" with long and short strokes to stimulate qi (chi) flow to release fluid and toxins and promote blood circulation.
Main Skin Benefits of Facial Gua Sha
1-Improves circulation .
Facial Gua Sha helps improve lymphatic circulation, it also improves the quality of blood circulation and qi circulation. Qi in Chinese Medicine is referred to as the "vital energy" inside our bodies. Everything is based on qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, according to Dr. Greg Sperber, a doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine. “Blockages of qi, deficiencies of qi, [and] too much qi are what cause illness. What we do with acupuncture, herbs, and all of Chinese medicine is we try to line up qi.”
2-Improves Product Absorption . Gua Sha can be used with your favorite moisturizer, preferably a facial oil (HydroFlora is a match made in heaven paired with gua sha), and it’s also a very effective way to help products absorbed deeply.
3- Releases and relaxes tension.
Facial Gua Sha is a very effective tool for relaxing tension in the face and neck. Not only does it feel amazing, it helps soften tension from “poor face posture” (brought on by active facial muscles constantly forming a “worried” or “strained” face). Gua Sha is used to bring back a “relaxed” face, which in turn looks more refreshed and youthful.
4- Helps with contouring and defining facial features.
Gua sha facial helps lift and contour the face by working it out and training the facial muscle. It also helps break up adhesions in the fascia (the connective tissue in between the muscle and the skin). Essentially what you are doing is training the muscle and de-puffing which overtime leads to a more lifted, sculpted and contoured face.
5- Helps depuff puffy eyes
Often times puffy eyes are simply a result of fluid retention underneath the thin skin under your eyes. Gua sha helps move this fluid along, de-puffing the eyes for a more rested look.
6–Fine lines and wrinkle
Rather than freezing fine lines and numbing facial muscles like with Botox, Gua Sha forms new pathways of blood flow and nutrients to soften signs of aging and support youthful skin over time.
HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A GUA SHA FACIAL
1. Prep your skin. Start by gently cleansing and moisturizing your face and neck, use preferably an oil-based facial oil or moisturizer like HydroFlora Barrier Repair Oil Gel. This will help the tool glide easily and prevent tugging on the skin.
2. Start at your neck and work your way up. For optimal lymphatic drainage, it’s best to start at the neck area and move upwards. Always hold your gua sha tool at a 15-degree angle and using the fingers of your free hand as traction, gently glide the tool along the skin using sweeping, upward strokes. If it hurts, you’re applying too much pressure and you need to ease off, the skin on your face is much thinner than the skin on your body so less pressure is ideal. Repeat each motion three to five times.
3. Next, work your way to your chin and jaw area. Start from the center of your chin and sweep the gua sha tool across your jawline until you reach your ear. When you get at the end of a movement, give the stone a little wiggle before starting the next swipe. Repeat three to five times on each side.
4. Move to the cheeks next. Starting at the crease beside your nose, sweep outwards across your cheek until you reach your ear. When you get at the end of a movement, again give the stone a little wiggle before starting the next swipe. Repeat three to five times on each side.
5. Be gentle with your under-eyes. Because the under-eye area is the most sensitive spot, it’s important to apply super-light pressure, gliding the gua sha tool from the inner corner of the eye to the temple. Repeat three to five times on each side, then repeat these steps in the same manner across your brow bone. Once you reach your forehead, sweep in an upwards motion from the eyebrows to the hairline. Repeat three to five times on each side giving a little wiggle at the end of each swipe.