Facial Gua Sha: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Natural Facelift
Facial gua sha is an ancient technique rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that has gained significant popularity in modern skincare routines.
Whether you're looking to alleviate muscle tension or simply elevate your daily skincare routine, gua sha offers a natural facelift that is worth incorporating into your beauty ritual.
In this blog post, we'll explain the basics of facial gua sha, including its benefits, proper technique, and recommended tools for your skin type.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua sha, which translates to "scraping," is a traditional Chinese healing method that involves scraping the skin with a small tool.
Pink quartz Gua Sha stones.
The technique originated in East Asia and has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, including muscle tension, inflammation, and even fever. In recent years, facial gua sha has gained popularity as a natural way to improve skin health and appearance.
Benefits of Facial Gua Sha
The benefits of facial gua sha are numerous and contribute to overall skin health and radiance. Here are some reasons why you should consider incorporating this ancient technique into your skincare routine:
Improved blood flow: The light pressure applied during a facial gua sha session can help increase blood circulation, leading to brighter, healthier-looking skin. Increased blood flow brings essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin's surface.
Lymphatic drainage: The gentle scraping motion stimulates the lymph nodes, encouraging fluid flow and reducing the appearance of puffiness or dark circles under the eyes.
Muscle relaxation: Tension in facial muscles can cause wrinkles and fine lines, making the skin look older. By gently massaging the face with a gua sha tool, you can relax these muscles and improve the appearance of youthfulness.
Natural facelift: With regular use, gua sha can help firm and lift the skin, giving it a youthful appearance. The gentle scraping motion stimulates collagen production, improving skin elasticity for a natural facelift effect.
How to Use Facial Gua Sha: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we understand the benefits of facial gua sha let's dive into how to incorporate this relaxing ritual into your skincare routine:
Start by prepping your skin with a facial oil suitable for gua sha. The oil will allow the tool to glide smoothly over the skin and provide added hydration.
Hold the gua sha tool at a 30-45 degree angle, with the flat edge against your skin. Apply pressure and slow strokes in upward motions from the center of the face outwards. The pressure should be light to medium, aiming to increase blood circulation and relax muscle tension in the face.
For best results, focus on areas where you hold tension or have muscle tightness, such as around the jawline, neck, shoulders, brow bone, and between the eyebrows.
To target specific points on your face, use different parts of the tool - such as curved edges for larger areas and rounded edges for more delicate areas like under the eyes.
Continue using the tool in upward strokes, following the natural contours of your face and focusing on each area for at least 3-5 minutes.
Once you have finished massaging your entire face, lightly press down on specific acupressure points to release tension and promote relaxation.
After gua sha, apply a hydrating serum or cream to lock in moisture and continue reaping the benefits of improved circulation.
Watch here as our brow queen Brittany walks us through her nighttime gua sha routine.
Choosing the Right Tools
Many different types of tools, oils, and serums are available, each with unique benefits and properties. Here are some things to consider when choosing the perfect tools for your skin type:
Facial oil or serum: Look for oils that suit your skin type. Some popular options include rosehip seed oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil.
Material: Choose a high-quality tool, such as a stainless steel or professional-grade stone. Rose quartz is known for its calming properties, while jade has detoxifying benefits. Pick a stone that resonates with you.
Shape: Most facial gua sha tools have a flat or smooth-edged side for scraping and a curved or rounded edge for massaging delicate areas. Consider which shape will work best for your face's contours.
Pressure: Some tools come in different sizes or thicknesses, allowing you to adjust the pressure according to your needs. For example, a thinner tool may be gentler on sensitive skin, while a thicker one may provide firmer pressure for more stubborn muscle tension.
Incorporating Gua Sha into Your Beauty Routine
Facial gua sha is versatile and can be incorporated into your daily skincare routine or used as a weekly ritual. Here are some tips to help you get started:
For best results, practice facial gua sha at least 2-3 times weekly to see long-term benefits.
If using it during your morning routine, try placing the tool in the fridge beforehand for an extra cooling and depuffing effect.
Experiment with facial oils or serums to find the best combination for your skin and the tool's glide.
Gua sha is a simple way to boost your skin's natural radiance and achieve a smoother, more youthful complexion. But there are many different beauty treatments you can add that can further enhance your skin's health and appearance.
At The Beauty Block, we offer a variety of beauty services, including hydrafacials, microneedling, and aesthetic injectables. Our experienced team can help you create a customized treatment plan to achieve your skincare goals.
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FAQ
Does Gua Sha actually change face shape?
Gua sha can help improve muscle relaxation and promote lymphatic drainage, which may temporarily change the appearance of the face. However, it is not a permanent change in face shape.
Does gua sha help with acne?
While gua sha is not an acne treatment, it can help improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage, which may aid in clearing acne.
Should you gua sha in the morning or night?
You can incorporate gua sha into your skincare routine at any time of day. Some people prefer it in the morning for a depuffing effect, while others like to use it before bed to promote relaxation. Try both and see what works best for you!