HOW TO USE THE GUA SHA FACIAL LIFTING TOOL – A VIDEO GUIDE
Start your gua sha routine here. A step by step guide on how to gua sha, one of our favorite facial tools. Learning the proper technique is very important when using this tool to maximize results.
Preparation : Before performing Gua Sha, you can start with a gentle massage to stimulate the circulation of qi and blood. Initially, there might be no visible reaction, but as the qi and blood start to move, dark marks may appear.
Direction and Pressure: Control the direction and pressure carefully. Start gently and slowly increase the pressure, but avoid any pain. Do not scrape too hard to avoid damaging the skin. Follow the directions in diagrams or along facial meridians.
Subcutaneous Nodules: If you feel pain or notice hard areas under the skin while scraping, focus on these spots a bit more. These hard areas are due to blockages and can be gradually softened with gentle, repeated scraping.
Post-Gua Sha Care: After Gua Sha, avoid contact with cold water for 30 minutes. Do not swim or use saunas.
Skin Condition: For allergic skin or areas with pimples, avoid scraping directly on them. Do not perform Gua Sha on skin with active acne, sores, or open wounds.
Products featured in this video: Heart-Shaped Metal Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool for Skincare or other materials of Gua Sha tool
Face: Begin with freshly cleansed skin and apply a layer of facial oil or moisturizer. Hold the Gua Sha tool at a 15-degree angle against your skin and gently stroke upwards.
Start at the neck, moving along the jawline towards the ears, then proceed from the sides of the nose across the cheeks towards the ears. Lastly, stroke upwards from the eyebrows to the hairline on the forehead. These steps help promote circulation and relaxation while enhancing skin tone and texture.
Eyes: Start in the inner corner of the eye and glide outwards to the temple. Remember to use feather-like strokes.
Neck: start by applying a body oil or lotion. Then, use the Gua Sha tool to gently stroke downwards from the jawline to the base of the neck. This technique helps release tension and enhances lymphatic drainage, promoting overall relaxation and well-being in the neck area.
Body: focus on areas such as the back, shoulders, and legs. Apply a generous amount of body oil and use the Gua Sha tool to perform long, firm strokes. This technique helps stimulate circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote overall relaxation and rejuvenation of the body.
Scalp gua sha
Scalp Gua Sha involves gently scraping the scalp with a smooth-edged tool, like jade or rose quartz. Start with clean hair, apply a bit of scalp oil if you like, and gently stroke from the forehead to the back of the head. This technique boosts circulation, relieves tension, and enhances scalp health for relaxation and well-being. Aim for 5-10 minutes per session, adjusting pressure to your comfort level.
A video guide on how to Gua Sha your scalp here
what is Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve circulation, release muscle tension, and promote healing. The tool, often made from jade, rose quartz, or other materials, is gently pressed and stroked across the skin, typically in areas where muscle pain or tension is present. Gua Sha can be performed on the face, neck, back, and other parts of the body. This practice is believed to stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and enhance the body’s natural healing processes.
Why Gua Sha works?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the condition of the face can reflect the state of the body. Facial “Gua Sha” is based on the TCM principles that stagnation of qi leads to blood stasis, and blockage results in pain.
By repeatedly scraping the meridian points on the face with a Gua Sha board made from materials such as stainless steel or jade, it activates blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and adjusts the flow of qi and blood in the meridians. This practice aims to achieve beauty, enhance appearance, and promote overall health and wellness.
Gua Sha involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote healing. It can be used on the face, neck, and body to enhance overall well-being.
Choose a Gua Sha tool based on your skin type
Before learning how to gua sha, you may need to select your favorite gua sha tools from materials like rose quartz, jade (including white and green varieties), black obsidian, amethyst, and stainless steel, considering each material’s unique properties and how they align with your skin’s needs.
Rose quartz
Rose quartz is the stone of love, known for its gentle energy and ability to promote feelings of compassion, peace, and emotional healing.
If you have sensitive skin, consider using a rose quartz Gua Sha tool for its gentle and soothing properties, which can help reduce redness and inflammation.
Jade
Jade is a durable and beautiful stone that has been valued for thousands of years for its ornamental and healing properties. Known for its soothing green color, jade is often associated with serenity, purity, and harmony. In Chinese culture, jade is considered a symbol of nobility, beauty, and longevity.
Jade Gua Sha tools are suitable for most skin types and are especially beneficial for balancing. They provide a cooling sensation and help with lymphatic drainage and skin toning.
Amethyst
Amethyst Gua Sha tools are suitable for all skin types and are particularly effective for stress relief. They offer calming energy and can promote relaxation while improving skin clarity.
Stainless steel
it is durable and easy to clean, making them suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. They provide a cool sensation and are effective for promoting circulation and reducing puffiness. The smooth edges allow for gentle scraping without causing irritation, making stainless steel tools versatile for facial and body Gua Sha routines.
Choose a Gua Sha tool based on your skill level
Beginners may find tools with simpler shapes and smoother edges preferable to minimize the risk of accidental skin irritation. A heart-shaped rose quartz Gua Sha tool is particularly suitable for beginners due to its gentle contours and ease of use. On the other hand, more experienced users may explore tools with intricate designs for more precise and targeted therapeutic benefits.
Difference size and shape for facial and body
The shapes of Gua Sha tools vary depending on their use and personal preference. For larger areas like the legs, choose a tool with a larger contact surface. For the face, a smaller tool is more suitable.
For body Gua Sha, tools with a thickness of 0.5-0.9 cm are ideal.
For facial Gua Sha on healthy skin, a thickness of 1.0-1.5 cm works best. Experienced users can choose based on their habits. Our store offers Gua Sha tools to meet the needs of all users.
How often should you Gua Sha
It’s advisable to practice Gua Sha 2-3 times a week. This frequency strikes a balance, providing regular benefits such as improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, and enhanced skin appearance, without causing excessive stimulation or potential irritation to the skin.
Use Gentle Pressure on Dark Circles and Puffiness
To use a facial Gua Sha for dark circles and puffiness, start by applying a generous amount of facial oil to your face, neck, and chest to ensure the tool glides smoothly across the skin.
Begin at the inner corner of the eye, applying gentle pressure as you glide the tool outward. Around the eye area, use the gentlest pressure possible to avoid damaging the delicate skin. Then, move on to the temples, placing the tool at the base and gliding it diagonally towards the hairline. This technique helps move excess fluid and improve lymphatic flow, potentially reducing puffiness and dark circles under your eyes.
Gently massaging any remaining oil into your skin
After completing your Gua Sha routine, gently massage any remaining oil into your skin. This helps to further hydrate and nourish the skin. It’s important to clean your Gua Sha tool thoroughly with warm water and mild soap to remove any oil and skin residue. Store it in a clean, dry place until your next use.
There is so much on how to Gua Sha today, hope to share more interesting things about Gua Sha next time
Regular Gua Sha practice can improve circulation, reduce tension, and enhance overall skin health. Find the perfect tools for your Gua Sha routine at our store From here