What is facial gua sha?
Originally a body treatment performed on the back, buttocks, arms, and legs, a gentler technique has since been refined for the face. While gua sha is a fairly new concept in the U.S., this healing ritual has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years.
Sometimes also called coining, skin scraping, or spooning, the practice of gua sha has both benefits, and some drawbacks. Read on to learn more, plus how and when to use it to get sculpted, glowing skin.
Types of gua sha stones
Traditionally, these stones are made from polished jade or rose quartz, but nowadays, stainless steel can be a preferred option. Facial gua sha tools can come in all kinds of shapes, but are generally moon or heart-shaped. This design fits the contours of the face to not only enhance your skincare routine, but also to help you relax and rewind.
Check out the favorite stainless steel gua sha from Hollywood makeup artist Helen Marray-Finlay, founder of Finlay+Green – perfectly weighted for maximum benefit.
Benefits of gua sha facial massage
Gua sha can potentially have numerous benefits. It helps to promote circulation to enhance your glow, and the simple act of gently gliding the gua sha tool over the skin can help to reduce inflammation and promote lifted and firmer skin. It’s believed that gua sha aids lymphatic drainage to depuff the face, however, academic studies on how well these techniques work tend to be scarce, and limited by small study sample sizes. Nonetheless, generations of alternative-medicine practices — from traditional Chinese medicine to Ayurveda — have used lymphatic massage techniques to “restore balance” to the body.
Gua sha is also thought to increase the absorption of skincare ingredients, and thanks to the calming massage-like action, it’s a great way to release facial tension and unwind.
Standout gua sha benefits
- Suitable for most skin types
- Helps to promote a firmer, more lifted appearance
- Helps to brighten and enhance your natural glow
- Supports facial contouring for a more sculpted look
- Can help relieve facial and jaw tension.
- Can help to reduce puffiness.
Gua sha may ease perimenopause symptoms
A 2017 study in China published in Menopause, found that women with perimenopause symptoms who received 15-minute gua sha treatments once a week, in addition to their conventional treatment, saw more significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life than women who didn’t.
More research is needed, but preliminary findings suggest that gua sha may be a promising, effective, non-drug alternative treatment for perimenopause.
How to use a facial gua sha tool
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all-approach to using a gua sha tool, but you can use the following steps to help find your preferred method:
- After cleansing, apply a serum, face oil, or moisturizer to give your skin a smooth slick surface for the tool to glide on.
- Use a gua sha directional map like the one below to help identify where to work and in what direction to move the tool.
- Always move the gua sha tool in one direction (not back and forth)
- Hold the tool at a 35 to 45-degree angle
- Apply light to medium pressure
Start with Prep
Cheekbones
Hold the long, flat edge of the tool at a slight angle. Place it just above the corner of your mouth and glide it gently up along your cheekbone, moving towards your ear.
Jawline
Placing the notched edge flat against your jawline, starting at the center of your chin, glide it along your jawline towards your ear in a slow, upward motion.
Brow Area
Place the notched part of the tool over your eyebrow. Starting at the inner brow, sweep the tool outward toward your hairline.
Forehead and Neck
Use the long, flat edge of the gua sha to sweep upwards on your forehead, starting just above your eyebrows, and moving toward your hairline. For your neck, glide the tool upwards from the base of your neck toward your chin.
Repeat
Perform each movement six times on each side of your face.
How often should I use gua sha?
Once a week is recommended for beginners, but the frequency does depend on your skin type and skin’s tolerance of the ritual. Once you have familiarized yourself with the method and become comfortable you can aim to use gua sha at least two to three times a week.
Drawbacks of gua sha
Although suitable for most skin types, gua sha is not for everyone. For example, gua sha is not recommended for those with:
- sunburn
- rosacea
- psoriasis
- blood coagulation issues
- diabetes
- pregnant or think you could be pregnant
Additionally, gua sha is not compatible with injectables such as Botox or facial fillers if they’ve been administered within the past month. Advice should be sought if you wish to do both.
TAKEAWAY
As with any new treatment, it’s important to seek professional advice to ensure it’s right for you. While gua sha can offer some rewarding results, it’s important to remember that most of the visual benefits are temporary, so it’s best to incorporate it into your weekly regimen if you wish to maintain the results. Still, few studies have been done in the United States to prove its benefits. Lastly, always listen to your skin.
Be sure to check out the full ‘Gua Sha How-To Video’ with model and celebrity makeup artist Suzanne Blons, for a step-by-step guide.
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NOTE: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. It should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.