The Benefits Of Gua Sha

Jan 29, 2021by Olivia - F&F

If you’ve seen a bunch of beautiful face sculpting tools popping up on your social media feed recently — you’re not alone! It might seem like a brand-new trend, but in reality, the practice of Gua Sha has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Keep on reading to find out what Gua Sha is, how you can benefit from using Gua Sha, and how to incorporate it into your daily routine!

Ere Perez Quartz Sculpt & Lift Face StoneEre Perez Quartz Sculpt & Lift Face Stone

Image: Ere Perez

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique that aims to improve circulation, alleviate chronic pain and inflammation, and stimulate lymphatic drainage. Gua Sha is performed by scraping the skin firmly in long strokes with a solid massage tool — usually on the back, neck, arms, legs and face. 

The name Gua Sha, pronounced ‘gwahshah’, comes from the Chinese word for scraping. Gua Sha dates way back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), where medical practitioners would essentially ’scrape away the illness’ to alleviate chronic pain. 

Gua Sha History & Chinese MedicineGua Sha History & Chinese Medicine

Image: Symmetry Acupunture and Chinese Herbs

Gua Sha History & Chinese Medicine

Interestingly, in traditional Chinese medicine, ‘qi’ or ‘chi’ refers to the constant flow on energy in our bodies. Stagnant energy is understood to be the underlying cause for all pain and inflammation. Gua Sha is performed on the body to ‘break up’ the blocked energy and promote free-flowing energy — whereby relieving aches, pains and stiffness. 

Gua Sha is used on the face, too. By using a smaller tool and firm, upward strokes, the daily practice can improve microcirculation and skin elasticity!

Ere Perez Quartz Sculpt & Lift Face StoneEre Perez Quartz Sculpt & Lift Face Stone

Image: Ere Perez

What are the benefits of Gua Sha?

As a natural healing remedy, practicing Gua Sha on the face and body daily can be extremely beneficial!

According to Healthline — Gua Sha may reduce inflammation, so it’s often used to treat ailments that cause chronic pain, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. It can also be used to alleviate pain and symptoms of liver inflammation, migraines, neck and shoulder pain (from excessive computer use!), perimenopausal syndrome, and even breast engorgement (when the breasts overfill with milk during breastfeeding). Essentially, Gua Sha can be used anywhere on the body where there is pain and inflammation. 

Gua Sha and Retreatment BotanicsGua Sha and Retreatment Botanics

Image: Retreatment Botanics

Gua Sha For Chronic Pain

If you’re looking for an alternative healing method for chronic pain in the body, we recommend visiting a licensed acupuncturist or practitioner of Chinese medicine. By doing so, you’ll be treated by someone who knows how to perform Gua Sha for your specific health needs — you’re likely to get a better outcome, too. 

On the face, Gua Sha is known to decrease puffiness, promote anti-aging, improve elasticity, detoxify the skin, rebuild collagen and improve skin tone. It’s like a natural face-lift — one that leaves your skin looking younger, firmer and brighter. Sounds great to us! 

How to give yourself a Gua Sha facial How to give yourself a Gua Sha facial

How can I incorporate Gua Sha into my beauty routine, and what tools will I need?

Performing Gua Sha on your face for a few minutes every day can work wonders for your skin. 

First, you’ll be needing a Gua Sha tool. Gua sha tools are typically made out of jade, rose quartz, or mineral-rich stone, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes; each tailored to different areas and techniques. Your massage tool needs to feel comfortable in your hand, so that you can apply firm pressure without it slipping.

Did we mention that it’s also super relaxing? Using long, repetitive sweeping motions helps to relax your facial muscles, and by incorporating some deep breathing into your Gua Sha routine — you’ll be ready for bed in no time. 

Retreatment Botanics Rose Quartz Gua ShaRetreatment Botanics Rose Quartz Gua Sha

Image: Retreatment Botanics

How to perform Gua Sha at home!

  1. Never put your Gua Sha tool in the fridge. This will only constrict your blood vessels.
  2. Start with a light face oil or cream so that your Gua Sha tool can glide across your face.
  3. Forehead: Sweep the stone up from the start of your eyebrows out to the hairline. Move up the forehead and repeat.
  4. Under eyes: Gently sweep from the inner corner of the eye to the hairline.
  5. Cheekbones: Sweep underneath your cheekbones and direct it toward your hairline.
  6. Lips: Glide over your lips back and forth six times.
  7. Jawline & Chin: Glide the stone upwards from the centre of your chin and out to the ears to contour the jaw.
  8. Neck: Sweep from under the chin down the neck to continue the drainage process. Move around, in downward motions, each time starting at the top, until the whole neck has been done. 

This whole routine should take around 3-5 minutes. Your skin might look a bit red afterwards, but don’t worry — it’s just the blood rushing to the face. 

Incorporating Gua Sha into your beauty routine is a simple and relaxing way to boost skin circulation, reduce puffiness and tighten the face. 

Broadly, it’s a great way to manage inflammation and promote healthy blood flow. Will you incorporate Gua Sha into your daily routine?

If you liked this blog, make sure to check out our other beauty and skincare blogs:

What is Garshana?

The Benefits of Jojoba Oil

What In The World Is Multi-Masking?

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