If you’ve ventured down the skincare rabbithole you’ve probably heard a slew of terms you’ve never heard before.
From slugging to exosomes, there are plenty of words that well we can barely pronounce let alone understand.
But we’re here to help. One skincare trend that we can get on board with is Gua Sha.
So what is it?
What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is actually a practice in Chinese medicine.
You take a smooth-edged tool and drag it over moisturised skin to improve circulation.
The term actually means “to scrape away illness” and was originally a whole-body treatment. Now in Western cultures, it has been very popular to use as a facial tool.
Historically, a Gua Sha tool has been a spoon, bull’s horn, or gemstone. Now they are usually a rose quartz or jade tool.
What is it’s history?
Although this may be the first time that you’ve heard of the technique it has been around for centuries.
In fact, Harper’s Bazaar says: “The earliest Gua Sha-like tool predated acupuncture in the Stone Age.”
When people fell ill, hands or stones were used to massage parts of their bodies to help reduce the side effects and symptoms of their illnesses.
Of course, now it’s used more as a beauty tool to help improve the skin.
@aylennpark Here is my mom and I’s gua sha routine🫶 We’re using a jade and ride quartz gua sha tools! #guasha #guasharoutine #guashafacial #massage #facial #fyp ♬ original sound – Aylen Park
What are the benefits of Gua Sha?
There are plenty of benefits – including helping with migraines – yes seriously!
According to research, Gua Sha can reduce migraine pain, lessen the symptoms of perimenopause, help with lymphatic drainage, reduce inflammatory symptoms, and reduce anxiety.
It is also believed to help decrease facial lines and wrinkles as well as decrease puffiness in the face. It is also thought to give the face a smoother complexion!
It benefits your lymphatic system as our body’s waste-drainage system uses our muscles to pump out the waste. So when we use our muscles and move our body we are helping lymphatic drainage. Gua Sha moves this along, especially in the face as we aren’t using our muscles there all the time. We’re manually moving the system with your Gua Sha tool!
How do you use your tool?
Well, it depends on where you are doing it on your face. But most tools will come with instructions on how to use it. And it’s best to follow that routine.
Make sure to put your serum or moisturise or oil on your face as this will help act as a lubricant on your skin, this will make sure that your tool just glides over your skin.
Basically, you should be pushing upward and outward applying a very light pressure. You don’t want to hurt yourself!
@filterlessera Rules and Full Gua Sha Routine for beginners This is a step by step as many of you requested. Save this video, get out your gua sha and mimic this routine. Take a before and after picture so you can see the amazing benefits of gua sha. Less double chin, less wrinkles, brow lift, and glow. Everything I’m using can be found at filterlessera.com Xoxo- Sarah #guasha #skincare #rulesofguasha #fulltutorial ♬ vlog, chill out, calm daily life(1370843) – SUNNY HOOD STUDIO
How often should you do it?
Well, there are no hard and fast rules about it.
You can use it as often as you want. Although most people recommend at least once a day on your face.
What tools should I use?
Take a look at some of the Gua Sha options you can pick up…
