Be it the stress of your workplace or hormonal changes, our skin and body go through acne, texture, dullness, dark circles, inflammation, and so much more due to many factors. Most of the time, we think this is happening because we eat unhealthy foods or have irregular sleeping habits. From cutting on our favorite foods to constantly searching for new beauty and skin products, we desperately try to find something to improve our skin.
If you have tried all these things and nothing works out, you should try Gua Sha!
From TikTok videos to Instagram feeds, gua sha stone has been viral on several social media platforms. Everyone is using and recommending gua sha tools, from famous celebrities to beauty experts, to add to skincare routines.
So, what’s the hype about this new skincare tool in town?
Gua sha is actually an ancient Chinese healing practice that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool, commonly known as a stone and roller. This practice is used to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote skin and body healing. Today many people run a gua sha stone over their face to de-puff eye bags and get defined cheekbones.
However, the real question is: Does gua sha work?
In this digital age, new trends are emerging every day. Can we really trust a product? Is gua sha stone practice safe and works on every type of skin? If these types of questions are coming to your mind, keep reading this blog.
Today in this blog, we’ve answered all your questions about this trendy gua sha stone. From what guasha is and its benefits to how to use a gua sha stone and its side effects, we’ve covered everything about this beauty tool.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha, pronounced “gwa-shah,” is a traditional Chinese healing technique that includes giving massages to the face and body. This practice is used to scrape the skin with a smooth-edged, flat tool to stimulate microcirculation in the soft tissues and improve the flow of blood, reducing inflammation, pain relief, and toxin removal.
The tool is typically made of jade, rose quartz, or other semi-precious stones. With the help of the gua sha stone, gentle pressure is applied on the skin to massage in scraping motions repeatedly. Doing this can release muscle tension, promote lymphatic drainage, and leave you with a well-sculpted face and better skin.
What are the Benefits of Using Gua Sha Stone?
What does gua sha do?
The gua sha ancient practice carried out today has several benefits, from blood circulation to relief of headaches. Due to these advantages and impressive results, gua sha stone has been one of the most popular beauty and skincare tools today.
Here are some of the major benefits of gua sha:
Improves Blood Circulation
If you have acne, wrinkles, and blackheads on your face, one of the reasons can be poor blood flow. Use gua sha stone to enhance circulation and deliver nutrients and oxygen to the cells of your face. This can help decrease inflammation, anti-aging, and skin sensitivity and add a glowy smooth look to your skin.
Removes Lymphatic Drainage
People suffering from extra fluids in the area around the face can use a gua sha stone massage. This practice is highly effective in removing lymphatic fluid coming from the lymph nodes. It will also reduce puffiness, enhance skin tone, and diminish the appearance of fine lines.
Migraines & Pain Relief
A study shows a 72-year-old woman living with chronic headaches has improved migraines and pain relief with the help of gua sha therapy in just 14 days. This ancient healing technique effectively reduces pains and headaches in the neck and back areas.
Relieves Muscle Tension
Gua sha consists of scraping the skin in upward motions. Just after a few scrapes, your face can instantly feel relaxed. This is because of the repeated scraping motions as it breaks up the muscle tissue, called fascia, and ultimately causes the muscles to relax more.
Help in Healing Skin Issues
From expensive face creams to organic facials, if nothing seems to work for your skin issues, you have to try gua sha! Believe me, gua sha works like magic for skin problems like dryness and itchiness. A few regular facial massages bring elasticity and brightness to the skin, and you can feel the difference between gua sha before and after usage.
How To Use A Gua Sha?
Now you know what gua sha is, gua sha benefits, how it works, and its types. So, it’s time to learn how to use gua sha stone correctly to get several benefits. It’s important as anybody can use it, but performing the technique correctly is difficult.
Here is the step-by-step procedure to use gua sha to avoid any discomfort or potential adverse effects:
1. Select the Tool
The first step is to pick a gua sha tool that suits your preferences and needs. (Find out more about this later on the blog.) Depending on the material, shape, size, and health issues, you can choose a gua sha tool.
2. Preparation
Once your tool is sorted, you can start washing your face or the area you want to treat. After this, apply a light layer of facial oil, serum, or moisturizer to ensure the smooth gliding of the tool.
3. Hold the Gua Sha Stone Correctly
Hold your tool at a 15 to 45-degree angle with the curved side against your face. Look at the above picture for reference.
4. Start Scraping
After this, gently apply pressure and start scraping upward and outwardly. Try to apply long, slow, and sweeping strokes on one area at a time. You can also follow a specific sequence to remove toxins and fluids. Start from the center of your chin and slowly move outwards along your jawline. Make sure to repeat every stroke at least 2-3 times.
5. Cleanse Afterward
You can cleanse your face after the gua sha massage to remove impurities and toxins. If you feel skin irritation, apply a cold compress if necessary.
The best thing about the gua sha technique is that you can also use it on your neck, chest, back, and legs. You can watch gua sha tutorials or YouTube videos to learn everything in detail.
How Often Should You Gua Sha?
The frequency of Gua Sha massage can depend on your individual needs and preferences. On average, you can incorporate gua sha into your daily facial skincare routine and use it at least 2-3 times a week. You can do gua sha sessions in the morning to reduce puffiness or before sleeping at night to relax your facial muscles.
Who Shouldn’t Use Gua Sha Stones?
Overall, gua sha is safe to use; however, there are some situations where it is recommended NOT to use these types of beauty tools.
Here are some cases where you should avoid using gua sha stone:
- Active acne
- Rosacea
- Rashes
- Skin irritation
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Sunburns
- Soreness
- Skin bruising
- Discoloration
- Open wounds
- Thin skin with moles
Also, people taking blood thinners or having blood clotting disorders should not try gua sha facial techniques. Also, applying too much pressure while scraping can tear the skin and lead to severe issues like soreness and discomfort. Children, pregnant women, and elders are also not good candidates for gua sha. Always consult your licensed dermatologist before trying gua sha.
Does Gua Sha Hurt?
After reading the words like massaging and scraping, many people think that gua sha sessions are painful. However, that’s not true; in fact, gua sha aren’t painful at all if done correctly!
Gua sha tools are made with precious stones with smooth, rounded edges. When applying scraping motion, it should be gentle with a light touch.
When guasha is done improperly or with too much pressure, it can cause discomfort and may hurt sometimes. So, if you experience severe pain or discomfort, immediately contact a healthcare professional.
How to Choose the Perfect Gua Sha Tool?
Today gua sha is available in several types, shapes, and materials. You can select the one according to your problem, budget, and usage.
Here are some of the best types of gua sha stones available in the market:
1. Rose Quartz Gua Sha
2. Jade Gua Sha
3. Black Obsidian Gua Sha
4. Amethyst Gua Sha
5. Stainless Steel Gua Sha
You can also select the gua sha stone based on its shape, such as:
- Concave Side
- Double Curved Side
- Cleft
- Teeth Edge
- Pointed Convex Edge
FAQ
Gua sha is an ancient Chinese technique for skin scraping. It improves blood circulation, reduces puffiness, promotes lymphatic drainage, reduces inflammation and sinus pressure, and promotes relaxation.
Yes, when done correctly, gua sha sessions can work wonders. Gua sha stones are made with precious stones such as jade and rose quartz and are available in various shapes and styles. Use the light pressure and strokes in the right direction to get the best results.
Compared to other beauty and skincare treatments, gua sha stone is typically safe for all skin types. However, you should avoid using it if you have skin issues like redness, soreness, thin skin, and acne. Before trying the gua sha routine, it’s best to consult your dermatologist.
Conclusion:
Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique that has become popular recently among people suffering from skin issues. Gua sha stone is a safe and effective way to improve blood circulation and reduce skin dryness, swelling, and other skin problems.
So, this is all about guasha. If you have enjoyed reading this guide on gua sha stone, share it with your friends and family.
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