5 REASONS WE LOVE FACIAL GUA SHA

Gua sha is a traditional healing method that has been used in China for thousands of years. The words Gua Sha are derived from the Chinese words to rub or scrape and Sha -red/blood. On the body, the scraping motion encourages the blood to rise to the surface of the skin and can account for the redness and inflammation on the body or a blush on the face.

The motion of the stones across the face triggers the skin’s metabolic healing process, accelerates collagen production, increases blood circulation, encourages lymphatic drainage and rejuvenates tired skin. Gua sha is incredibly effective at increasing microcirculation and a recent study on body Gua Sha showed that Gua Sha treatment can increase microcirculation by up to 400% during the treatment and for up to 25 minutes after the treatment.

5 REASONS WE LOVE FACIAL GUA SHA

1. GROUNDING RITUAL
Gua Sha is slow in movement and the gentle touch is deeply relaxing, instantly activating our parasympathetic (relaxed) nervous state. When we’re feeling grounded in our bodies and calm through our mind, we can handle emotional issues or obstacles that come our way more easily with self awareness and ease. Using Gua Sha as a medium to tune in to ourselves more fully transforms this cosmetic treatment into a truly stress relieving and a grounding ritual.
2. TENSION RELIEF
We hold so much tension in our face and neck. Using deep pressure with a Gua Sha stone can really get into sticky knotted areas to release held muscular tension, thus allowing muscles to do their supportive jobs properly. It can also be a great tool for TMJ and headache sufferers as relaxing our facial muscles regularly also prevents and fades light expression lines.
3. DETOXIFYING
Gua Sha can be used to clear blockages in meridian channels, which connect our organs together and transport both blood and chi (life force). Our channels need to be clear in order to work harmoniously and for chi to flow well throughout the body. If an organ is not functioning properly, the channel could be blocked – and vice versa. We can clear the channel of blockages by scraping the Gua Sha tool along it. Gua Sha imparts a truly holistic effect on the body. This manual movement stimulates our lymphatic system, helping our organs function optimally by breaking up stagnation, flowing debris and toxins within the body for easier expulsion.
4. NATURAL FACELIFT
The unique edges of various Gua Sha stones work perfectly to lift, sculpt and tighten the skin. Regular use can prevent the signs of aging such as sagging, dull and wrinkled skin. Since Gua Sha helps stimulate circulation, the technique itself oxygenates and carries nutrients to the skin cells. The increased blood flow resulting from Gua Sha contributes to a more lively, plumped up and youthful appearance.
5. GLOWING SKIN
No flow, no glow! Gua Sha increases circulation and improves lymphatic function, resulting in a naturally dewy, glowing complexion. The action of gently scraping the Gua Sha tool across the skin aids in serum/moisturizer product penetration, so those juicy phytonutrients go deeper into the layers of skin to feed us even more hydration. Gua Sha can also be used to prevent and clear acne, decongesting the skin and lessening inflammation.

Self care tips

Gua Sha is definitely a self care must do as part of your skin care routine.
1. You can use a gua sha on the face, body and scalp, and it’s best to use with water or an oil – but never on bare skin.
2. Hold the gua sha tool with the curved side to your face and glide it gently(follow the diagram below) starting with the neck, jawline, chin and around the mouth.