Gua sha is an ancient technique of Chinese medicine that is based on improving well-being, health and also the appearance of the skin.
What do you know about gua sha? The differently shaped pebble populating bloggers’ stories lately is giving people something to talk about. Smooth and soft crystal is actually an ancient Chinese practice focused on beauty and health care. Furthermore, including it in your daily skin care facial massage has benefits that make it worth checking out what gua sha is.
Likewise, the jade roller has also become known as a skincare accessory for facial massages. However, the functions of the two tools are different: in addition to a number of benefits for the skin, gua sha also promises to temporarily slim the face. The technique has even been included in the beauty ritual of celebrities like Kim Kardashian. Typically made of rose quartz or jade and shaped like a heart, gua sha goes far beyond skin care, positively affecting well-being.
Check below everything you need to know about gua sha, as well as its benefits, what it is for, how to use it and also its contraindications.
What is gua sha?
Gua Sha is facial massage originating from Chinese medicine. “Gua” means scraping or rubbing, and “sha” can mean bleeding from the skin or wicked energy. Basically, the massage technique involves using either jade or quartz stones to slide or scrape under the skin. There are even variations of the process with porcelain spoons. However, gua sha is based on acupuncture techniques, performed by professionals in the field. The current at-home procedure is an update to the ancient ritual.
In this sense, gua sha is able to combine the benefits of facial massage with the energy that stones possess. The process uses strategic movements on the face and body with the tool to heal the regions, with the aim of obtaining the “Sha”. In it, the redness left by scraping or sliding encourages the skin to heal, both from skin problems and those related to well-being itself. It is capable of improving blood circulation, reducing inflammation and even treating chronic pain.
What is gua sha for?
Currently, Western gua sha is only done using the well-known polished jade or rose quartz pebbles. Facial massage stimulates blood circulation and promotes lymphatic drainage, resulting in healthier, more toned skin. Better circulation is also responsible for the natural glow of the dermis.
Benefits of gua sha
Both the benefits of gua sha and the ease of using it have made the stones extremely popular products in the skin care market. Despite all the benefits promoted by its use, however, there is still no proof that gua sha improves wrinkles, expression lines or acne spots. Its qualities are extremely evident in promoting well-being.
- Gua sha can promote exfoliation. This depends on the intensity of the scraping carried out by you, which performs a superficial exfoliation, eliminating dead cells from the surface;
- It helps to reduce swelling, which gives the skin a rested appearance, much sought after by those who constantly perform skincare;
- Stones also help break down fascia, which is tissue that surrounds muscles. The action is beneficial, as it promotes greater skin elasticity;
- Gua sha is capable of temporarily slimming the face through massages performed with stones;
- Combats swelling, helping with lymphatic drainage, especially in the eye area. When used on the body, rose quartz and jade can help reduce cellulite;
- All the tension in your face will go away with the use of gua sha. Massage helps relieve stress, which promotes muscle relaxation, especially in the jaw;
- The technique is also capable of bringing benefits to the entire body when performed by a professional, as it is directly linked to acupuncture;
- Gua sha improves tissue oxygenation indirectly by stimulating blood circulation, giving the skin the flushed appearance expected at the end of the massage;
- There are even people who report improvement in the pain that affects the jaw and head.
How to use?
The gua sha technique is vast enough that there is no single massage technique that can be used with stones. However, in facial massage, the simplest method involves making upward movements, always going towards the forehead and ears, starting from the middle of the face.
- First of all, wash your face well when starting your normal skin care routine. Then, apply a moisturizing product or serum, so that the stone glides better. It is also possible to use a facial mask and leave it on the skin for 10 minutes before continuing with the procedure;
- Start by applying gua sha to the neck area, always in upward and vertical movements, applying greater pressure to the skin with the stone. Find out how much pressure is best in your case, so that the process does not affect you negatively.
- Then move towards the face. Always remember to follow facial lines, holding the skin with one hand so the gua sha glides better with the other. The secret is to always start from the center of the face to the sides. The jaw lines, cheekbones, chin and forehead are ideal massage routes.
- Try to prioritize the areas with the most swelling and tiredness, such as around the eyes. Each movement must be performed at least three times and the massage can be done up to three times a week.
- Lastly, skin redness after massage is completely normal and expected. As the name suggests, “Sha” is responsible for healing from the inside out, expelling negative energies and problems that aggravate the face. You can also finish the process with an eye cream.
Contraindications
However, there are dermatologists who say that gua sha is not recommended in certain cases, such as those with chronic skin diseases in general. They can be atopic dermatitis, eczema, skin cancer or psoriasis. The pressure and scraping carried out by the stone can further aggravate these conditions. It is also not recommended for those who use anticoagulant medications, for those undergoing cancer treatment or for those who have infectious processes, such as abscesses, boils, herpes zoster and herpes simplex.
So, what did you think of this article about what gua sha is? If you’re interested, also take the opportunity to check out Jade Roller, what is it? How to use, benefits and trends of rollers
Sources: Dicas de Mulher, Dermaclub, Amaro, Balmish
Images: Villingerie, Bons Fluidos, Harper’s Bazaar, Santos Bárbara, WeMystic, GPS Lifetime
