What is Gua Sha?
You might have seen many TikTok gurus promoting this “miracle beauty tool” called Gua Sha, which promises glowing and youthful skin.
Gua sha face massage has ancient Chinese origins and is believed to be a natural healing tool used to massage areas such as your face to improve blood circulation, and more importantly, depuff, tighten and achieve supple looking skin. Think of it as a combination of a massage and workout for your skin to get that glowy look!
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits associated with gua sha:
Helps you achieve a more defined jawline
Gua Sha, when done correctly, helps to enhance blood circulation by draining the skin of excess fluids, which helps to emphasise your face’s natural contour at the comfort of your home. Thus, it’s no surprise that this tool is going viral.
Reduces bloating
Another benefit of Gua Sha is better lymphatic drainage, which helps your lymphatic system work more efficiently. A stagnated lymphatic system, if left unattended, can result in a weaker immune system – which is the reason you may feel “run down”. But there is an easy fix for that: just 10 minutes of Gua Sha a day can do wonders to reduce bloating!
Boosts collagen production
Earlier, we mentioned that Gua Sha helps your lymphatic system and enhances blood circulation. Did you know that getting those two systems in check can also aid your skin’s collagen production? With improved blood flow and increased oxygen supply, your skin will be better equipped to produce collagen, which helps to keep your skin supple!
In addition, Gua Sha creates microtraumas on your skin, which stimulates the production of collagen.
How to do it at home: A step-by-step guide
Now that you are aware about the benefits of Gua Sha, perhaps you are curious to try it at home to see how it works out for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do so:
Credit: maed.co
Step 1: Make sure to clean your face. No special steps needed; just clean as you would normally.
Step 2: Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic facial oil (such as rosehip, argan or grapeseed) to nourish your skin.
Step 3: Pick the right tool. Gua Shas are typically made from bian, jade or amethyst. The shape is important, so be sure to look for a flat, thin, and blunt Gua Sha with curved edges. What’s most important is that it feels comfortable and fits nicely in your hand, so that you can look forward to using it regularly.
Step 4: Lay the Gua Sha of your choice flat against your face at a 15-degree angle and start massaging (or scraping) upwards with gentle pressure.
Why not consider an aesthetic treatment instead?
If you want something more targeted and effective, consider going for aesthetic treatments. Speak to an experienced doctor about your beauty goals and get started on your aesthetic journey to enhance your features today.
