A gua sha routine welcomes many benefits. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s an ancient chinese facial massage that tones, sculpts, and lifts your skin for a gorgeous glow. That said, how could you effectively use a gua sha routine as part of your skincare routine to ensure that you gain its fullest benefits?
The best gua sha routines start with a few tips on using restorative stones effectively, including technique, types, and skincare routine steps. After this you can dive into the phenomenal benefits even before seeing different routines and goals that could suit your individual needs.
A successful gua sha routine with the best results means you should:
A gua sha routine involves an ancient chinese technique using a crystal stone to massage your skin to stimulate better blood circulation (14). An esthetician or acupuncturist can help you discover the correct procedure in an office before going out and doing it yourself. The practitioner uses a gua sha stone to scrape your skin downward with increasing pressure.
Everyone’s pressure threshold differs, so it helps to start with gentle and gradually increasing pressure. Also, the stone should press against your skin at a 30-45° angle, not a 90° angle. The direction you use to massage the skin depends on the purpose.
Furthermore, the gua sha stone massage stimulates lymph under your skin to move to lymph nodes to remove the toxins from your body (11). Reducing lymph that typically remains under your skin to the nodes alleviates inflammation and fluid retention. Hence, the first benefit of gua sha is to reduce inflammation and fluid retention or puffiness.
French research shows how similar facial movements showed anti-aging results in 20 women after ten days (3). Using the proper technique, gua sha would be the manual facial massage equivalent of the oscillating device. Bruising and redness may occur in the first days, but you should see facial results in 10 days.
Gua sha stones are available in all shapes, sizes, and contours. The contours on the often flat stones massage muscles, skin, and lymph fluid in different parts of your face and neck. A gua sha routine can use various stones, each of which may benefit you differently (7):
BetterMe app will provide you with a host of fat-frying fitness routines that’ll scare the extra pounds away and turn your body into a masterpiece! Get your life moving in the right direction with BetterMe!
Pink Moon CEO Lin Chen told CNN that using gua sha for five minutes every morning and every evening will give you the best results (16). Using gua sha once or twice daily will provide the best results. Also, using gua sha as a bedtime routine can improve sleep, while using it in a morning routine can reduce overnight puffiness.
A good gua sha routine requires moisture first, whether at an office or home. The gua sha stone will tug at your skin and cause a breakout or irritation if you don’t moisturize first. Elle suggests using an emollient type hydrating oil or lotion without fragrances or too many ingredients (13). Fragrance-free facial oils also prevent third-party skin irritations.
Clean your skin before using a gua sha stone (16). Your skin can transfer cells and other bacteria to the stone, which you rub over other parts of your face. A pimple in your neck can spread to your nose. Use a gentle skin cleanser before applying oil and using a gua sha. The gua sha should be the third part of your skincare routine.
Knowing the above tips will ensure you get the most out of your gua sha routine. However, you can use different techniques as a beginner or someone targeting specific areas. Let’s see the four routines you can use for different goals.
Let’s start simple with a gua sha jawline routine. NBC News suggests gua sha could relieve tense muscles along the jawline for an immediate but temporary sculpted face (4).
A gua sha routine executed like a pro has many benefits for your skin, including reduced wrinkles, a brighter tone, and a sculpted face (15). Follow these instructions to properly use the technique, or visit an esthetician to guide you with the pressure and direction (8).
A gua sha routine reduces puffiness and water retention under your skin, making it ideal for a quick slimming effect (15). With a lymphatic drainage routine, let’s apply slightly harder pressure to remove puffiness (10).
Read more: Is Using Almond Oil for Hair a Good Idea?
A gua sha routine on your body often involves massaging the stone over your meridians, which hold the flow of energy and best release the lymph (10).
Gua sha isn’t suitable for anyone with broken skin or some medical conditions. Medical News Today says you should avoid using gua sha if you bleed easily, use blood thinning medication, have deep vein thrombosis, or have a pacemaker or defibrillator (8). Otherwise, gua sha is pretty safe and has incredible benefits.
Using gua sha over dry skin will pull at and irritate your skin. Elle also warns not to use the wrong oils (13). Hydrating oil is the best way to prevent unnecessary friction. Oils with too many ingredients may cause breakouts or irritation. Choose a fragrance-free emollient hydrating facial oil to ensure you get the gua sha benefits.
Medical News Today suggests visiting an expert or esthetician to do the initial gua sha correctly to avoid potential side effects (8). An expert can show you the proper technique, direction, and pressure to prevent side effects, which you can practice at home.
Incorrect gua sha use may exaggerate side effects. Medical News Today states that gua sha may cause bruising, skin discoloration, and tenderness (8). Incorrect gua sha strokes may also cause lines on your face or a bacterial infection if the stone isn’t clean (5).
Gua sha massages the skin on a deeper level than a jade roller. Vogue states that both of the Ancient Chinese techniques improved skin elasticity and reduced puffiness (6). However, gua sha does a better job and has more healing material options than a jade roller.
A good gua sha routine will leave your skin smoother, clearer, and more toned. However, follow the advice given here on how to use gua sha stones properly to benefit. Then, choose a gua sha routine that suits your needs, and start your gentle facials at home today.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!