Guasha, or the art of massaging the skin with a rubbing motion using a special tool, has been used for centuries around the world to improve skin tone. If you haven't already included it in your skincare regimen, especially if you have loose or dull skin, you may want to start. From easing a stuffy nose to improving circulation and easing pressure from sinus headaches, this practice has many benefits. Read on to find out how to use a gua sha tool for a relaxing decongestant massage.
What is Gua Sha?
Guasha is a special type of facial and body massage that is performed using tools made of stainless steel, ceramic, or crystals such as jade or quartz. Lin Chen, creator of the Pink Moon ritual skincare range, explains: “The literal translation of the word gua sha in Mandarin means “breaking sand.” He is 4000 years old. Traditionally used to move Qi, the flow of energy. energy in the body to improve blood circulation and is used to relieve tension. And Nichelle Temple, founder of Inderma Studio in New York City, adds that this energy is thought to heal skin, muscles, and myofascial muscles, and if you choose a crystal tool, your movement can be enhanced.
BTW: The key to smoother, firmer and brighter skin at a low price: Facial massage
What are the benefits of practicing Gua Sha?
Its most characteristic is that it helps firm and tighten the skin, but in reality it is more than that. “While its popularity in the United States and Europe is largely due to its facial contouring abilities, its therapeutic capabilities go far beyond!” Chen confirmed. “Guasha is great for lymphatic drainage, clearing stagnant energy, increasing blood flow, easing headaches, reducing inflammation, shortening the duration of acute illnesses such as colds and flu, and easing tension from head to toe.”
Jamie Bacharach, a Chinese herbalist and licensed medical acupuncturist at Jerusalem Acupuncture Clinic, adds that you may notice an improvement in your skin texture. This is because “usually the target area where gua sha is performed receives more nutrients and oxygen due to increased blood flow, thus speeding recovery.” This method also helps skin care products work more effectively by preparing them for better absorption.
How to do Guasha massage
Chen's general rules for the perfect gua sha session:
Cleanse your skin the same way you always start with a clean face.
Prep your skin with something emollient, like facial oil or balm. “You want to apply a silk oil that isn't immediately absorbed, otherwise you might end up rubbing it into your skin,” explains Chen.
Keep the stone flat and as close to the skin as possible. “Use a 15-degree angle to avoid unnecessary friction or pulling on the skin,” he says.
Always use slow and gentle movements on your neck and face.
If you have active acne, skip the facial and just massage your chest and neck. “This will help improve circulation and reduce inflammation,” he says.
Keep scrolling for a list of specific massage techniques for using this tool on different areas of the face.
How to Use Guasha to Trim Your Chin
Place the tool on your skin and gently rub along your jawline, moving from the center toward your ears. Bacharach then says, “Place the serrated end of the gua sha tool under your chin and move it along your jawline toward your ear; imagine carving along the jawline. Do this on both sides of your face and finish by gently massaging your neck towards your collarbones.
How to use Crepey to tighten the neck
“Start with long strokes from your collarbone to your chin,” says Temple. Work the sides of the neck, starting from the middle, then moving the tool outward from there. “Don't forget the back of your neck,” he says. Do this by “starting at the bottom and working your way to the bottom of the skull.”
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How to Use Guasha to Lift Sagging Cheeks
Hold the stone at a slight angle, move it slowly and evenly, with moderate to light pressure. “Start in the middle of your face and work your way up to your hairline,” says Temple. It is recommended to occasionally give small “hits” of the tool at the hairline and work your way down to the collarbone.
How to use it to reduce bags under the eyes.
“The skin under the eyes is very sensitive, so be careful,” Temple warns. Hold the inside of the eye closest to the nose with your middle finger. Starting from the nose area, move the tool under the eyes to the temples. Repeat: “Now move your middle finger just below the pupil in the center of your eye. Slowly and lightly move the same finger towards the temple," he says. Then press the middle finger to the outer area of the eye and make three more passes across the temple. "Add a final blush to the eye area by moving along the temple."
How to use Guasha to relieve sinuses
“Apply a small amount of oil around the breast area, [then] start at the center of your forehead and move the gua sha tool down and toward your temples,” says Temple. Move your nose down and towards your ear. Repeat several strokes. Continue the same process on the sides of the nose and the tips of the ears. Finish by brushing outwards along your jawline.
How to use it to relieve headaches.
Firm the forehead skin with one hand and use the other hand to hold the tool with light to moderate pressure. Slide the tool along the skin of your forehead and lift the stone where it ends at your hairline, Temple says. Repeat five times. Then move the tool to the center of the eyebrow and back to the hairline and repeat. Then pull the skin in the middle of the forehead and slide it several times towards the temples. Finally, move your face slightly to stimulate the lymph nodes around your face and gently move it toward your collarbone, says Temple.
For a detailed guide to facial gua sha, check out @TinaEngeo's YouTube tutorial below.
When to do Gua Sha massage
“Do it every day, morning and evening, or once a day,” says Chen. She adds, “Gua sha facials are an easy way to take time to love and relax your skin. “It will only take five minutes of your day.” Morning sessions are recommended to reduce puffiness in the cheeks and under the eyes, and evening sessions to promote relaxation and better sleep.
Best Guasha Tools
If you're ready to reap the benefits of gua sha, read on to see our favorite tools worth trying.
Best Guasha Tools for Beginners
Pink Moon Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Treatment (buy at Pink Moon, $38)
You don't have to be a beginner to love Chen's gua sha tool, but it's so easy to use that it's great for beginners. Featuring natural rose quartz and a cute heart shape, this gua sha tool comes with an easy-to-use instruction card. And the included pink velvet pouch makes it easy to carry in your bag when traveling.
The most versatile tool for tempera.
Hana Emi Gua Sha Facial Kit (Buy on Amazon, $26.99)
“Made from Bianstone, this set is versatile and consists of four stones of different sizes that provide different massages and sensations,” says Bacharach. This allows you to customize your massage. Additionally, it is said that its ergonomic design offers a comfortable grip and is ideal for use on the face and body.
The best comb for Gua Sha
Geiserailie Jade Comb (buy on Amazon, $9.99)
“I love having a good gua sha comb, and this jade comb from Geiserailie is a great choice,” says Bacharach. “The gua sha comb is multi-faceted, allowing you to massage your face.” Plus, it can also be rubbed into the scalp to stimulate blood flow! And two pieces that cost less than $10 are a steal!
The best multitasking Guasha tool
THERATEMS Natural Gua Sha Tool (buy on Amazon, $39.99)
According to Bacharach, this single tool has eight different massage capabilities. “Each section targets a specific area of the face for better results.”
The best Gua Sha product for acne-prone skin
Poreless Stainless Steel Sacheu Gua Sha (Buy at Ulta, $32)
Temple calls it "a good starting tool." Made from non-porous stainless steel, this option has antibacterial properties, so it's especially helpful if you're prone to acne. And most importantly, the stainless steel material is very durable and feels refreshing on the skin.
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