Gua sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that targets and engages the body's meridian pathways to release the blockages that are causing pain and discomfort.
It has been used for thousands of years to treat everything from arthritis to cancer. Gua sha has become popular in recent years as a treatment for sports injuries. But it's not just for athletes anymore.
In fact, gua sha is becoming increasingly popular with women for its skin benefits. It's able to firm the skin, relax your facial muscles, and improve the absorption of skincare products.
This article will cover how to use gua sha for firmer and smoother facial skin.
How to Use Gua Sha?
Gua sha is performed by rubbing or kneading specific areas of the body with a gua sha tool. It's a simple process that you add in the middle of your facial skin routine.
Follow these steps to use gua sha:
- Wash your hands and gua sha tool before starting to make sure they're clean.
- Wash and cleanse your face as you normally would.
- Apply a facial oil, serum, or moisturizer. This will help with keeping your skin slippery, so your skin won't be as irritated.
- Use the gua sha tool on the different parts of your face, neck, and back. Follow the specific instructions below for each part.
- After you're finished massaging with the gua sha workout, remove the excess oils.
- Finish your facial routine as you normally would with a moisturizer or mask.
- Wash your gua sha tool after using it. You can also store it in a refrigerator for a cooling effect as you massage.
Gua sha tools have different shapes and sizes, as well as sides on one tool. For each of the body and facial areas below, pick the side of a tool that best conforms to your bone or muscles in that area.
The width and curvature of different areas of your face and body are different, so find what fits best for you.
Check out the Kanjo Pain Relief Gua Sha Myofascial Tool. It offers a variety of edges for different parts of your body and holes for easy handling.
1. On the Neck
Use the concave side of your gua sha tool for the two sides of the neck.
Start at the base of your neck at the collarbone and use a sweeping up motion to the jawline. Once you get to the jawline, use a couple back and forth movements with a little extra pressure.
Perform this movement a few times and repeat on the other side of the neck.
2. On the Back
Starting at the bottom of the back of your neck, bring the tool in an upward motion to your hairline. Repeat a few times.
3. On the Jawline
Starting at your chin, drag the tool along your jawline up to your ear. Repeat a few times and then move to the other side of your jaw.
4. On the Throat
Starting at the bottom of your throat at the top of your sternum or breastbone, use a sweeping motion up to the chin. Repeat this movement a few times.
5. On the Cheeks
Start at the side of your nose and mouth, follow the cheekbone to the hairline. Repeat this a few times and do the same on the opposite side.
6. On the Eyes
Starting under the eye and up to the inner corner of your eye, use a sweeping motion towards your hairline. Repeat a few times and do the same thing on the other side.
7. On the Forehead
Starting above one eye, drag the tool up to the hairline and top of your forehead. Repeat this movement a few times and move to the other eye.
If the center of your forehead was not massaged due to the width of your tool, you can use the same motion starting between your eyebrows.
8. On the Eyebrows
Starting on the inside corner of one of your eyebrows, sweep the tool across your eyebrow to the hairline. Repeat a few times and then repeat on the opposite side.
What Is the Best Oil for Gua Sha?
There is no "best" oil for gua sha. It's all about finding the right combination of ingredients for your skin type in a face oil, serum, or moisturizer.
Serums are generally preferred by most people because they're not as oily and are more lightweight. You can also use different oils depending on the time of day and when you're performing gua sha.
You can use the same serums and oils that you already use as part of your facial routine in the morning and night. Use the same night time serums that you normally use when you use gua sha at night.
No matter what serum, oil, or facial moisturizer you use, be sure you use something. Performing gua sha on dry and bare skin will irritate your skin, and possibly leave rashes.
How Long Does It Take to See Results from Gua Sha?
The results of gua sha vary from person to person. Some people see immediate results while others may need several treatments over a few weeks before seeing any visible changes. You should start feeling a more lifted and buoyant skin after a few sessions. It will be a gradual process, but you'll have a less puffy face and a more youthful glow.
How to Use Gua Sha FAQs
How Often Should You Use a Gua Sha?
Gua sha is meant to be used regularly. I recommend using gua sha two to three times per week, especially when you're just starting out. Performing gua sha too often can lead to tenderness or redness. As long as you don't experience any redness or tenderness, you can gua sha daily for best results.
How Many Minutes Should You Do Gua Sha For?
A gua sha session takes anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes depending on how many parts of your face and body you use gua sha on.
Do I Wash My Face after Gua Sha?
No, there's no need to wash your face after gua sha. Your face is cleansed during your regular cleansing routine before gua sha. You are also using your regular facial serum or oil to gua sha with, so there's no need to wash your face afterwards. Gua sha helps your skin to also absorb the serum ingredients.
Should You Gua Sha Before or after Showering?
Always gua sha after showering. If you do want to shower after a gua sha treatment, wait at least two hours afterwards. Gua sha improves and increases circulation, and opens up the flow of energy along your meridian pathways. Hot showers after these sessions will undo the benefits that gua sha provides.
Does Gua Sha Work for Double Chin?
Yes, performing gua sha can help reduce a double chin. Gua sha helps to tighten and lift the area around your jawline. This helps to create a more defined jawline and reduces sagging skin. It also helps to remove toxins from the area and improve lymphatic drainage.
Sources:
- https://www.beautybay.com/edited/how-to-use-a-gua-sha/
- https://sublimelife.in/blogs/sublime-stories/gua-sha-101-everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-to-use-a-gua-sha
- https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/how-to-use-a-gua-sha-stone
- https://poosh.com/gua-sha-tutorial/