Why have Gua Sha treatments become so popular for anyone who is looking to have an at-home self-care practice? This traditional Chinese tool has proven to be a great practice to improve the health of your skin and tissue. This means not only a firmer, brighter skin but also has a lifting and sculpting effect. But its benefits do not stop here. This at-home massage session helps improve blood flow, flush toxins, and helps lock hydration and nutrients in your skin.
If you’ve never used this before, no worries, the process is quite easy and delightful.
Before any facial treatment, it’s imperative that we start with clean based on your skin. Prepare your favorite moisturizer or facial oil . You can apply the product such as face mist, cream, oil or serum, to allow your skin to be hydrated and for the Gua Sha to better glide on your skin.
Always use curved side of the Gua Sha tool, and hold the Gua Sha tool to 30 to 45 degree angle to the area you wish to target at.
Use a light and firm pressure, and slowly move with a upward lifting motion.
Note:
Step 1: Use upward movement to strokes.
Step 2: Start with the back of your neck.
Step 3: For the side of your neck, start from your shoulders and move up until you hit the bone. Stop here and give yourself a little massage by wiggling the stone on your bone.
Step 4: Next, move over your collarbone up until you meet your jawbone. Here, stop again to give yourself a little extra massage.
Step 5: Repeat at least 5 times for each stroke.
Step 1: Move from the center of your chin out towards your earlobe. You can stop next to your earlobe and give yourself an extra wiggle massage.
Step 2: Next, sweep underneath your cheekbone towards your hairline.
Step 3: Continue from your nose, moving outwards towards your hairline, tracing your cheekbone.
Step 4: Repeat at least 5 times for each stroke.
Step 1: Using a very soft sweep, move the stone under your eyes outwards towards your temples. Once you reach your temple, move the tool upward for a lifting effect.
Step 2: For your brow bone, you can use a bit more pressure as you move the tool from the center of your forehead towards your temple, along your brow. Again, switch to an upward movement once you reach your temple.
Step 3: Repeat at least 5 times for each stroke.
For a detailed step-by-step guide on how to use gua sha to reduce eye bags, puffy eyes and dark circles on your under eye area.
Step 1: Start with an upward movement from under your brow, slowly sweeping up until you reach your hairline.
Step 2: Continue from the middle of your forehead, where your brows meet and repeat the same slow upward movement.
Step 3: At the end of each movement, you can stop and wiggle the stone for an extra massage.
Step 4: Repeat at least 5 times for each stroke.
Here is Facial Gua Sha tutorial video from our IGTV.
These stones come in many shapes, depending on which body part they are meant to be used on. To make sure you choose the right stone for you, here is a quick Gua Sha shape guide. The main thing to remember is to look for less complex looking tools if you are a beginner. The more curves, dents, or edges they have, the more advanced the techniques you need to know are.
1. ‘S’ shaped stones are mostly for the body: back, shoulders, neck, hands, and feet.
2. The Fin Stone is great for hands and arms, chest, shoulders, and legs.
3. The Dolphin Gua Sha is great for deep-tissues and facials.
4. The Gua Sha Comb is really the best combination if you are looking to add a scalp relation message to your beauty routine.
Nowadays, every spa salon adds gua sha treatments to its beauty routine. However, if you do not want to spend your time in expensive salons, then you may practice this type of self-care in your own home. Learn more on Tips on At-Home Gua Sha Facial.
Introducing Gua Sha to your daily or weekly routine can be a very beneficial practice. While it greatly serves the health of your skin, it can also become a moment of peace and relaxation for your mind and body.
