The Ultimate Guide To Gua Sha
Gua Sha—smooth, shaped, and often crafted from exquisite gemstones—has emerged as a must-have skincare tool with a traditional Chinese history that stretches back long before the Stone and Bronze Ages.
These aesthetically pleasing tools offer more than just visual appeal; they engage the lymphatic system, sculpting the jawline and cheekbones while offering a myriad of skincare and wellness benefits. But what exactly is the story behind this trending beauty staple? And how can you make the most of its potential?
Whether you're a seasoned Gua Sha enthusiast or a newcomer to its wonders, keep reading to learn how you can make the most out of this ancient tool.
What is Gua Sha?
Professor Song Ke, the founder and principal of Asanté Academy of Chinese Medicine, offers a straightforward explanation: "Gua" means to scrape, and "sha" refers to toxins. "Scraping the toxins out of the body is the best translation," he explains, highlighting Gua Sha's roots as an age-old medicinal technique. It involves using a tool to repeatedly scrape the skin in one area to release toxins, typically applied to the neck, back, or elbows.
Traditionally, Gua Sha wasn't associated with skincare—it originally was a method of clearing the toxins that have invaded the body from outside, and most commonly used to rid the body of illnesses or flu symptoms, such as aches, pains, joint discomfort, and feelings of hot and cold. This practice of scraping the skin stimulates new blood flow and draws out stagnation in the problem areas to help generate metabolic cell repair and healing.
However, in recent years, the beauty industry has embraced the concept, transforming it into a rejuvenating facial massage treatment. The Western interpretation of Gua Sha involves using a moulded shaped tool, often crafted from a gemstone or crystal. Applied in upward strokes across the facial contours, it's praised for promoting lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness, and improving skin tone.
Exploring The Benefits of Gua Sha
When it comes to Gua Sha on the face, it’s meant to be performed at a much slower speed with much less pressure. Less is definitely more here! With consistent practice, Gua Sha can yield noticeable improvements over time. From clearer and brighter skin to a tighter complexion with fewer wrinkles and blemishes, the results can be striking.
Gua Sha aims to stimulate healthy circulation in muscles and tissues that nourish the skin, making it more of a holistic practice with cosmetic perks like increased collagen, radiant skin and diminished lines. Enhanced circulation encourages noticeable transformations:
- reduced puffiness
- smoother skin tone
- softened lines
- decreased sagging
- facial sculpting and lifting
- restoring volume to hollow areas
- expedited acne recovery
- improved dark circles and under-eye bags
- lightened age spots and other skin discolourations
However, the benefits of Gua Sha aren't solely evident in the face. Facial Gua Sha works wonders for releasing tension in the neck and shoulders too. Many of its benefits are instant, making it an excellent practice for relieving headaches, sinus congestion, or jaw tightness and pain.
Why Is Gua Sha So Popular?
In recent times, Gua Sha's popularity has surged, partly due to going viral on TikTok. The technique catapulted into the spotlight once again after Kendal Jenner showcased it in a Vogue video. Her demonstration of using Gua Sha to lift eyebrows and enhance facial symmetry sparked widespread conversation, igniting interest in this age-old practice. Her video also prompted discussions around embracing the natural process of ageing gracefully, shedding light on Gua Sha's role in holistic beauty routines.
But what exactly fuels Gua Sha's widespread appeal? Its simplicity certainly plays a part, offering an accessible yet effective method for skincare enthusiasts. As people increasingly gravitate towards holistic approaches to self-care, there's also a growing fascination with traditional Eastern wellness practices. Plus, the captivating before-and-after results shared across TikTok further add to its allure, drawing in curious viewers eager to witness transformative results firsthand.
Mastering Gua Sha: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Before diving into your facial Gua Sha practice, ensure your hands are clean and generously apply a face cream, oil, or serum. The key is to create a smooth glide without tugging at the skin, ensuring a comfortable experience. Take this time to cultivate relaxation by taking deep breaths, moving slowly, and keeping hydrated throughout the process. Remember, always work in an upward and outward direction, applying gentle pressure as you glide the tool over your skin.
Begin by holding the Gua Sha tool with the curved side against your face, gently gliding it upwards and outwards. Start from the neck, then move along the jawline, chin, and around the mouth, repeating the motion three to five times in each area. Continue by sweeping across your cheeks, gently under the eyes, across the eyebrows, and upwards from the forehead to the hairline. For best results, repeat each motion 10-20 times.
When performing Gua Sha, slow strokes with light to medium pressure yield the most effective results. Avoid applying excessive pressure or moving too quickly, remember, less is more and a gentle touch is key! Some redness following the massage is expected, as in Chinese medicine, a red flush (or “sha”) is recognised as the healing response of your body. Aim to incorporate this treatment into your morning or evening skincare routine at least a few times a week, if not daily, to maintain consistency and reap its benefits.
Keep in mind, Gua Sha works best after cleansing the face and applying moisturiser or oil, enhancing product absorption and providing a "workout" for your skin. However, be mindful of not using Gua Sha on inflamed or open skin. It's also essential to note certain precautions when considering Gua Sha massage on the face. Avoid this technique if you have rosacea, undergone dermal fillers in the last 28 days or injectables within the last 14 days, or if you are on blood thinners.
To perform Gua Sha on the body, generously apply body oil to ensure smooth gliding. Hold the tool at a slight angle, and scrape across your skin in line with muscle direction at a medium pressure. With elongated motions, repeat strokes three to five times in each area. Be sure to listen to your body's signals, adjusting pressure as needed.
Elevating Your Gua Sha Routine With Our Skincare Range
Integrate your Gua Sha practice with the following products to optimise results.
For the face, indulge in the Aeon Azure Regenerative Creme.
This ceramide-rich cream deeply nourishes the skin, softening fine lines and reducing redness while providing intense hydration and plumping for a firmer, revitalised complexion—a perfect complement to your Gua Sha routine.
Nourish your body with the Bio-Omega Body Contouring Oil.
This oil promotes hydration and elasticity while targeting stretch marks, cellulite, scarring, and extreme dryness. With its ability to regenerate new skin cells, it tones, tightens, and smooths, leaving your skin firm, hydrated, and radiant.
To get the most out of your Gua Sha practice, enjoy the luxe Lapis Lazuli Gua Sha Tool.
Together with our face and body products, it works synergistically to deliver nourishing ingredients deep into the dermal layers, maximising the benefits of your skincare routine.
By incorporating Gua Sha into your skincare ritual, you can elevate your self-care and experience the full potential of this ancient practice for radiant, rejuvenated skin.
Blog by By Olivia Harper.
