Ever heard of Gua Sha? Sounds like Chinese! And yes, it actually has roots in traditional Chinese medicine. People have been using Gua Sha for centuries to improve health and well-being.
But now, it’s made its way into our beauty routines; popping up all over social media. Even, I came across a comment on a YouTube video about the benefits of doing gua sha facial saying “This does work. I could tell the difference in my jawline within 2 weeks of using it, it’s also so relaxing especially if you use it cold(I put it in the freezer overnight) in the morning. Gua sha changed my skincare routine. I love it! “
Let’s delve into the true, magical benefits of this emerging skincare trend.
What is Gus Sha?
Before we move towards benefits; let’s debug the original idea behind gua sha. Gua means “to scrape”, while Sha refers to a reddish or purplish mark left on the skin after scraping. Gus sha is an old-school technique that comes from traditional Chinese medicine.
It’s super simple to perform. You take a smooth stone, usually made of jade or rose quartz, and gently scrape it over your skin. The key is to use “just enough pressure to get your blood flowing” and move around the fluid that’s sitting under your skin.
Back in the centuries, people used Gua Sha all over their bodies to help with things like pain and inflammation. But nowadays, it’s mostly used on the face for beauty benefits.
The tools are specifically shaped to fit the contours of your face, making it easy to glide over your cheeks, jawline, and forehead.
What’s great? You don’t need to be a pro to do it. With the right tool and some basic know-how, you can easily add Gua Sha to your skincare routine at home.
Benefits of Gua Sha facial
Here are some of the key benefits of gua sha:
1. Improved Circulation
When you glide the Gus sha tool across your face, it helps increase blood flow to the surface. (Proven by a Study on “The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue“)
This is super important because better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your skin cells.
The result? Your skin starts to look more vibrant and healthy, almost like it’s glowing from within. It’s like giving your skin a little workout—afterward, you’ve got that post-exercise glow, but without the sweat!
2. Reduction of Puffiness
The same traditional idea of doing gua sha for reduced inflammation! If you struggle with puffiness, especially around your eyes or cheeks, Gua Sha can be a game-changer.
This all ties back to the lymphatic system, which helps clear out waste and toxins from your body. Sometimes, though, fluid can get stuck in the tissues under your skin, leading to that dreaded puffiness.
By using Gua Sha, you’re essentially giving your face a gentle lymphatic massage, helping to move that trapped fluid along. This is not only reducing puffiness but also giving your face a more defined, sculpted look.
3. Skin Tightening
Regular Gua Sha use can help firm and tighten your skin. Over time, our skin starts losing its elasticity, which leads to sagging or wrinkles.
The tool’s gentle pressure stimulates collagen(responsible for keeping skin firm) production. This all gives your skin a nice youthful appearance, by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Relief from facial Tension
We all carry tension in our faces—whether it’s from clenching our jaws, squinting at screens, or just dealing with daily stress. Gua Sha can help with that too.
When you use the tool, especially around your jawline and forehead, it works to relax those tight muscles and ease the tension. This message can be especially helpful if you get headaches or have jaw pain from clenching or grinding your teeth.
By relieving this tension, Gua Sha not only makes you feel more relaxed but also helps improve your overall facial appearance. A relaxed face tends to look smoother and more youthful. Plus, taking a few minutes to focus on yourself and de-stress with Gua Sha can do wonders for your mental well-being too.
5. Enhances Product Absorption
We all spend good money on serums, oils, and other skincare products, hoping they’ll do wonders for our skin. But if these products aren’t getting absorbed properly, they’re not doing much at all. This is just a waste of time and money.
Gua sha solves the problem. When you use the tool in combination with serums or facial oils, it helps to push those products deeper into your skin. The gentle pressure and massage-like motions allow your skin to absorb more of the good stuff, whether it’s hydration from a serum or nutrients from an oil.
This means you’re not just applying your products—they’re actually getting absorbed where they can do the most good. The result is skin that looks and feels more nourished, hydrated, and healthy. So, if you’re investing in quality skincare, pairing it with Gua Sha can maximize your results.
6. Improvement in Skin Texture
If you’ve ever dealt with uneven or rough skin, Gua Sha might help smooth things out. How? By regularly using the tool, you’re basically exfoliating the skin’s surface. This can help reduce rough patches and make more even over time.
Exfoliation gives your face a fresh start. It removes any rough, dry patches, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother.
7. Radiance and Glow
One of the best parts about Gua Sha is the radiant glow it can bring to your skin. When you combine all the benefits (improved circulation, detoxification, better texture) it adds up to a complexion that looks brighter.
The more consistently you use Gua Sha, the more you’ll notice that your skin has that healthy, natural glow. It is not a game of one day. It’s like a long-term investment in your skin to achieve that dewy, glowing look that so many of us are after.
The right way to practice gua sha
Gua Sha has the potential to do magic on your skin, but only if you do it the right way.
Tips on Choosing the Right Gua Sha Tool
When picking out a Gua Sha tool, you’ll notice they come in different shapes and materials. The most common are jade and rose quartz.
Jade is believed to have cooling and calming properties. That’s why it can better help those with sensitive skin or for reducing inflammation. If your priority is improving blood circulation and reducing puffiness, Jad gua sha is a reasonable option to consider.
Quartz Gua Sha comes in pink, purple, or smoky gray color and helps with skin cleansing. It is believed to help improve skin clarity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance the absorption of skincare products.
The shape of the tool is important too—look for one with different edges and curves so that it can easily glide over the contours of your face. A heart shape is the most common one. Ultimately, The tool you chose must be smooth against your skin.
BAIMEI IcyMe Jade Roller & Gua Sha, Face Roller
(4.6) 51,960 RatingStep-by-Step Guide to Performing a Gua Sha Facial at Home
Before you begin, make sure your face is clean and dry. You don’t want to be massaging dirt or makeup into your skin.
1. Apply a Facial Oil or Serum
To ensure the tool glides smoothly, apply a few drops of facial oil or serum. This step is crucial to avoid tugging or pulling on your skin.
2. Begin at the Neck
Start at the base of your neck, using upward strokes. This helps to open up the lymphatic pathways.
3. Move to the Jawline
Place the tool at the center of your chin and glide it along your jawline, moving toward your ear. Repeat on both sides.
4. Cheeks and Under-Eyes
Next, move to your cheeks. Start at the side of your nose and gently pull the tool outward toward your ear. For the under-eye area, use a lighter touch and a smaller edge of the tool.
5. Forehead
Start in the center of your forehead and glide the tool toward your temples. This helps smooth out tension and promote circulation.
Repeat each stroke 3-5 times, making sure to use gentle pressure. The whole process should be relaxing, not painful.
6. Moisturize
Once you’re done, apply your favorite moisturizer to lock in hydration.
Recommended Frequency
You can use Gua Sha a few times a week or even daily, depending on your skin’s needs and how much time you have.
A daily practice can give you the most noticeable benefits, but even doing it a few times a week can make a difference. If you notice any irritation, listen to your skin and take a break.
Final thoughts
In summary, Gua Sha isn’t just about looking good on the outside. It’s also about promoting healthy skin from within, whether that’s through better circulation, reduced puffiness, or tension relief.
It’s a simple addition to your routine that can make a big difference in how your skin looks and feels.
But, Not everyone is a good candidate for Gua Sha. If you have broken skin, active acne, or any skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, it’s best to avoid using Gua Sha on those areas, as it could potentially make things worse.
Also, if you’re on blood thinners or have any blood-clotting issues, you should consult with a dermatologist before trying Gua Sha, as the technique could cause bruising.