If you’ve explored the world of skincare and facial treatments, you’ve likely encountered a dozen terms and techniques. Among the most popular is gua sha.
This face-sculpting tool used in ancient Chinese medicine has gained traction recently for delivering transformative results, allowing people to chisel their cheekbones, sharpen their jawline, and create a picture-perfect profile. Needless to say, if you want to achieve a youthful appearance, gua sha should most definitely be on your radar.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of gua sha and how you can incorporate it into your regular skincare routine.
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua sha is a facial technique that dates back centuries in which users would attempt to obtain a redness to heal the skin with a rose quartz or flat jade stone on their body.
Today, the process is slightly different and far less aggressive. It consists of gently gliding the stone in an upwards motion along your face to relax stiff muscles and promote lymphatic drainage for a sculpted appearance. However, the benefits of gua sha don’t stop there.
The Benefits of Gua Sha
Improved Circulation
Like many other types of massages, using a smooth-edged tool to glide across your face can actually improve blood circulation, reducing the appearance of cellulite, puffiness, and swelling.
Boosts Collagen Production
It’s no secret that collagen plays a vital role in the health of your skin. Because of gua sha’s habit of decreasing puffiness and softening fine lines and wrinkles, it also increases collagen production to enhance your skin’s radiance.
Alleviates Neck Pain
For those of you who find your posture suffers from bending over your keyboard or cell phone, adopting the gua sha method can reduce your neck and shoulder pain and improve your range of motion.
Sculpted Facial Features
Perhaps the most intriguing benefit of gua sha is its ability to sculpt your features, specifically along the jawline and cheekbones. Incorporating it into your routine regularly helps tighten the facial muscles and alleviate puffiness for a smooth, chiseled look that is sure to turn heads.
How to Use Gua Sha
If you want to reap the benefits of this game-changing, face-sculpting treatment, learning the best and safest way to execute it is essential.
Regardless of the gua sha tool you use, the fundamentals remain the same. First, apply a face oil or serum on your face and neck. Then, taking your tool, you want to apply gentle pressure and use upward strokes towards the hairline (imagine that you’re flattening the surface of your face).
The goal is to target your lymph nodes, which are located beneath the skin’s surface. Doing so will stimulate tissue drainage that can cause your face and neck to appear inflated.
Which Gua Sha Tool Should I Use?
The growing popularity of gua sha has inspired several variations of tools, such as stones and rollers. A good rule of thumb is to find a tool with smooth, rounded edges that adheres to the curvatures of your face for optimal sculpting. In addition, your go-to gua sha tool should offer good gripping positions to streamline the stroking process.
Gua sha tools also differ in material. Some stones contain antimicrobial properties that prevent bacteria growth, making them ideal for facial treatments. Natural gemstones include green jade, rose quartz, amethyst, white jade, sodalite, and more, each providing slightly different results due to varying properties.
Lastly, don’t forget to consider the quality of your chosen tool. Higher-end gua sha tools feature authentic crystals or other natural materials that allow for deeper penetration and maximum results.
Simply put, be sure to do your research before settling on a tool for your gua sha ritual! If you have the means, try experimenting with a variety of tools and materials to find one that best suits your needs.
How Often Should You Use Gua Sha?
Though the answer to this question largely depends on your skin’s type and tolerance, it’s best to start with no more than once a week. Once you’ve introduced it to your skin and have experienced no harmful side effects, feel free to increase the frequency to two to three times per week.
Should You Use Gua Sha?
To wrap up, gua sha is an effective method for those looking for a non-invasive facial treatment. When done properly, it yields many benefits and impressive results that are sure to make gua sha a staple in your routine.
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