Facial massage called Gua Sha is a Chinese medicine technique, performed with the help of crystals or smooth stones, shaped like a half-moon.
Need a face massage? So let’s talk about the Gua Sha (pronounced guáxuá), a facial massage. Now that you’ve learned the pronunciation, let’s learn a little more about this Chinese medicine technique.
In general, the tool used for this facial massage is a crystal or smooth stone. Especially because they have a half-moon shape to adapt to the curves of the face.
In this way, the Gua Sha It is popularly known as coinage or spoon, as some people used cutlery instead of stones. Whereas, the Jade and the Quartz They have become the most used stones today, because they have energetic properties.
On the other hand, there are plastic versions that are cheaper. So, if you are looking for benefits for your skin, which help with the health and well-being of your body, this method can help you in your daily routine.
What is Gua Sha?
The name Gua Sha has a meaning, being divided into two, they are: Gua, which means to scrape or rub. As also Shawhich in translation into Portuguese, is bleeding on the skin or perverse energy.
The traditional technique was based on the acupuncture method, which is why it must be performed by a trained professional. However, there are easier versions to make at home. In fact, the technique is old in China, but it only arrived in Brazil in 2002.
Benefits of Gua Sha
- Relief from muscle tension: It works to relax muscles in the jaw region, thus reducing stress and facial tension;
- Improved blood circulation: O Gua Sha helps oxygenate tissues, freeing the path for blood to the face or body.
- Reduction of swelling: The technique acts like lymphatic drainage. This reduces swelling in the face around the eyes, while reducing cellulite on the body.
- Facial scrub: Because of the scraping, the technique can serve as a basic exfoliation. Of course, it also removes dead cells on the surface of the skin.
- Reduces headaches and jaw pain: The massage causes facial relaxation, in such a way that it helps to relieve pain in the facial region.
- Botox-like effect: This benefit was cited by people who noticed a reduction in wrinkles, expression lines, blemishes and acne. However, the effects for aesthetic purposes have not yet been scientifically proven.
How to do Gua Sha at home
First of all, hydrate your skin well with a serum or facial cream, this will help the stone glide better. Then, position the crystal on your face with one hand, and use the other hand to hold the massaged areas.
This way, move upwards and away from the face. The stone must always be kept horizontal, do not use the sides. Do not apply excessive pressure, but slowly pass over the skin. At the end of each scrape, make circular movements to drain.
Thus, repeat the movements eight times, not exceeding 10 repetitions. The ideal is 2 or 3 sessions per week. In the jaw area, place your fingers on the chin, and use the other hand to fit the wavy part of the stone to the side, following the path from the chin to the ear. Make the scraping movement several times.
On the cheek, hold the side of the nose with one hand and scrape the stone on the cheek from bottom to top, towards the ear. When you get to the eye area, place your ring finger on the tear area, and use the other hand to (lightly) pass the stone under the eyes, where the dark circles are, follow the repetitions until the hair.
After the procedure, the stone must be washed under running water. Meanwhile, your face or body may turn red, a reaction that is considered by Chinese medicine as a healing response from the body. So don’t be scared, just control the amount of force and repetitions during the treatment.
Care and contraindications
The method of Sha Gua It is not recommended for people with chronic skin diseases, atopic dermatitis, eczema in general, psoriasis or skin cancer. This is because scraping movements can harm skin that is already damaged.
Furthermore, people with boils, skin abscesses, herpes, chemotherapy treatments or pregnant women should not use this massage technique.
In cases of treatment with dermal filler or botox application, avoid using the dermal filling technique. Gua Sha for 28 days, only in the affected area.
Finally, what did you think of this article? So, take the opportunity to check this one out too: Stoned milk, how to treat it? Tips for relieving breast discomfort
Sources: Glamour, Dicas de Mulher and Huffpostbrasil
Images: Milled, O Globo, Magnolia, Cuidaí, Today Show, and Women’s Health
