Gua Sha Face Massaging: Everything You Need to Know
What exactly is gua sha?
Gua sha is a method of scraping and massaging the face with a flat, smooth stone or a roller, typically made of jade or rose quartz. Gua sha massages improve circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and lift and sculpt the face. While stone facial rollers and tools seem to be a recently popularized method of skincare, gua sha is actually an ancient Chinese method of medicine that dates all the way back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). For centuries, gua sha has been used as a form of traditional medicine in China to treat chronic pain and inflammation.
By using the smooth edge of a stone on the skin, toxins under the skin are broken up and blood flow is stimulated. The body responds to the massage by increasing oxygen and blood flow to the skin. More recently, Western culture has adopted gua sha in the form of jade rollers and facial stones used for skincare. And seeing as the practice has amazing benefits and is a simple way to upgrade to skincare routine, it’s no wonder it’s taken the world by storm!
What are the benefits?
Gua sha can be used for a multitude of skin and muscle troubles but works mainly to de-puff by draining the lymphatic fluids in your face. The lymphatic system is the cycle that rids the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. This, however, can become problematic, as facial muscles do not contract as much as the rest of the body.
Buildup in the face can cause excessive lymphatic liquid, which is what can make the face appear puffy or inflamed. This is where the gua sha tool comes in to save the day! Using one of these tools to scrape and massage the contours of your face creates circulation and gets the lymphatic system flowing. Doing so reduces puffiness and reveals a toned, sculpted face.
How-to guide:
The instructions on using gua sha depend on the shape and size of your tool, so it is important to read the product instructions first. Most tools are used by first applying facial oil to create a smooth base for the stone to glide on. Continue by gently scraping the tool in an upward motion across the contours of the face repeatedly. You see results almost immediately (which is a huge plus) especially when you stay consistent with it.
Here are some of our favorite options to get started:
Photo credit to Sephora
Photo credit to Sephora
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