Beauty Must Have: Gua Sha

The world of skincare has introduced us to a new skincare technique that has a list of positive skincare benefits – Gua Sha. Reaching peak popularity last year, brands developed their own Gua Sha tools and many celebrities and skincare influencers promoted the benefits of using a Gua Sha. Now in 2023, it’s clear that the Gua Sha is here to stay.

Gua Sha began centuries ago as a full-body treatment traditionally used in Chinese medicine for tissue healing and relieving muscle tension. Gua refers to “scraping” and Sha means “petechiae”, which are small red or purple spots found on the skin, most commonly the upper back. Gua Sha is originally a body treatment that encourages the skin to heal itself and relieve muscle tension through this “scraping” motion. But in recent years, the Gua Sha technique has become popularised within the world of skincare. Gua Sha tools have been adapted for use on the face, to gently scrape the skin and boost the overall health, wellbeing, and appearance of our skin.  

With the power to prevent poor signs of aging, and wrinkles and enhance your natural facial contour, the Gua Sha has evolved into a skincare tool that we just can’t live without.

The Benefits of Gua Sha:

• Enhances Facial Contour
  The most impressive effect that has taken over social media is the contouring powers of Gua Sha. This is an effective way to sculpt the face without using any harsh skincare products or devices that irritate and damage the skin. The Gua Sha technique needs to be practiced carefully and with precision on specific areas of the face to enhance your cheekbones and facial structure. For example, Gua Sha can be used on the neck, jaw, eyebrows, and cheeks. But it is important not to drag the Gua Sha tool in a back-and-forth motion but to glide it across the skin from bottom to top, inner to outer, in one direction.

• Boost Collagen Production
  The Gua Sha technique is known to stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation. In turn, this aids the production of collagen and anti-ageing molecules. The production of more collagen will help prevent poor signs of ageing, decrease puffiness, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Remember: It is important to make sure that you don’t apply too much pressure when using the Gua Sha tool. You shouldn’t be dragging or pulling at the skin. To make sure the tool glides across the skin, you must use a balm or serum that can provide a lot of slip on the skin to ensure full effectiveness.

• Reduces Inflammation & Relieve Tension
  Gua Sha has been proven to reduce inflammation and relieve moments of pain and tightness. When used first thing in the morning, it has been proven that Gua Sha can help to loosen the muscles along the jaw and relieve tension or tightness that will occur overnight. When used in the evening, the massage technique can help to release tension on your face. Gua Sha will also help to reduce inflammation and puffiness by stimulating blood flow to the affected areas of the face. When used regularly, this will become a relaxing part of your evening routine.

• Aids Lymphatic Drainage
  Gua Sha is particularly effective for lymphatic drainage in our face because we don’t move our finical muscles enough to have any effect on the lymph fluid that builds up in our face. To break it down, our lymphatic system circulates fluid around the face when we move those muscles. However, we don’t use those facial muscles enough and sometimes, as a result, this can cause a build-up of fluid. This will then lead to our face appearing puffy or swollen with some experiencing clogged pores, acne breakouts, and dull and puffy skin. The use of Gua Sha will help to move the fluids through our system, prevent a build-up, and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
  Note: When using your Gua Sha remember to include neck work to avoid a build-up of lymph fluids and swelling.

  Body Care Gua Sha

  Investing in a body Gua Sha is going to become a staple in your self-care routine. Just like a facial Gua Sha, using one on certain areas of your body can provide many long-term benefits.  A body Gua Sha helps to increase circulation around the body, relax, and soothe tension and tightness in large muscle groups such as the back, shoulders, arms, thighs, and glutes. Again, this is achieved through the massage and “scraping" motion used on parts of the body where there is tightness and tension.  Using a body Gua Sha will also help improve the appearance of cellulite, encourage lymphatic drainage and, with regular use, can promote healthy skin.  When used as part of your post-shower routine, this technique can create a relaxed state of physical well-being and improve the overall appearance and health of your skin.