As a traditional Chinese/Tibetan holistic technique dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), gua sha is one of the most popular Eastern-medicine based skincare techniques gaining mainstream status in the United States. It’s somewhat of a catch-all; by combining current all-natural at-home remedies with Eastern medicine and the buzz of crystals and stones, gua sha’s innate power is having a big moment for good reason! Using the gua sha techniques provides surprisingly noticeable results in the appearance of wrinkles, sagging, dark eye circles, puffy eyes, age spots, and discoloration. A brighter, healthier, younger-looking radiant complexion is revealed. Totally sold?
As one of the most multifunctional tools in facial care, stones, such as rose quartz and jade, are gaining increasing popularity in holistic skincare because of their ability to perform contouring techniques, promote lymphatic drainage, and massage pressure points. Gua sha employs the use of stones to activate facial fascia – a powerful, historical technique that promotes the body’s natural healing by creating balance, movement, and space for the blood to flow to reveal radiance. The beauty of this movement allows toxins to release, revealing glowing, healthier, skin. Free flowing movement of lymph allows the skin, and the immune system, to function at its most radiant level. Rejuvenation and clarity are bound to ensue.
“Gua,” meaning to scrape or rub, and “sha,” meaning flowing to the surface of the skin, involves the pressing and stroking of a small stone, i.e. a jade board, to gently massage, manipulate and stimulate specific energy points along the face and body. Sort of like acupuncture for your face, but with crystals. The scraping process helps to break up blood stagnation, pigmentation stagnation or adhesions in the skin. You might have heard the technique referred to as coining, spooning, or scraping. With the gentle pressure of gua sha, lymphatic fluid is moved along its traditional pathways and drains into the body.
As gua sha promotes lymphatic drainage, it clears up space for increased “qi” movement. In traditional Chinese medicine, qi is the “life energy,” “life force,” or the “vital energy” of the body that flows within us. So basically, bonus; this technique is both spiritually and physically enhancing. With greater circulation and flow of blood and fluids, radiance is restored and natural hydration is improved. Even more promising? Gua sha aids the skin’s ability to release dirt, sebum, and general buildup within the pores. Muscle tension, inflexible fascia, and stagnant lymph are three vital causes of excess aging that our skincare regimes don’t address. Facial gua sha has been shown to help relieve nearly every skin condition, such as rosacea, dryness, and hormonal acne.
Immediate Results and Benefits Include:
- Instant firming, renewal of facial contours, and natural lifting
- Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area, in addition to decreased
puffiness and dark circles
- Flatter and smoother smile lines and deep wrinkles
- Reduction of wrinkles and sagging on the neck
- Diminished age spots, hyperpigmentation, sun damage
- Greater penetration and absorption of active skincare ingredients
- Aids in healing acne breakouts and inflammation
References:
Becker, Katie. “This Chinese Facial Treatment Cleared My Acne.” Refinery29. February 1, 2017.
Bobb, Brooke. “This Chinese Facial Tool Is the Secret to Better Skin in 2018.” Vogue. January 19, 2018.
Chang, Amy. “The “Eastern Face Lift”.” BOND EN AVANT. May 16, 2016.
http://www.bondenavant.com/gua-sha-facial/.
Chia, Jessica. “I Tried Gua Sha to Contour My Jawline — Here Are the Results.” Allure. October 27, 2017.
Organic Olivia. “Benefits of Facial Gua Sha (Scraping Massage) for Acne, Puffiness, Wrinkles & Jaw
Tension.” Organic Olivia. February 12, 2018. https://www.organicolivia.com/2018/02/benefits-gua-sha-facial-scraping-massage/.
Plug, Britta. “This Jade Crystal Massage Will De-Puff Your Whole Face.” Mindbodygreen. October 11, 2016.
