Touted as a “natural botox”, Gua Sha is a technique used in traditional East Asian medicine and it is the latest rising star among the numerous self-care and skin-boosting techniques. It is often used to treat muscle pain and tension, but how well do these strange looking pieces of jade and contraptions with rollers actually work?
What Is Gua Sha?
Translated, “Gua” means press or stroke, and “Sha” refers to a rash or redness. Together, the name actually refers to an ancient natural therapy of gently scraping the skin with a flat, rounded tool, usually made of jade.
Many people believe that when a person’s qi is blocked, it causes pain or tension in the muscles and joints. Thus, Gua Sha aims to move this blocked energy to relieve aches and maintains the qi in the body to be constantly balanced.
The process of Gua Sha can be best described as a really relaxing massage and workout session that is best done for a few minutes a day. It helps release tension (we found it amazing for headaches and tight jaws), leaves the skin instantly more supple, glowing and healthy-looking.
The Expert’s Opinion: Are There Actual Results From Gua Sha?
Katie Brindle, the founder of Hayo’u Method, explains, “Gua Sha treatment relaxes the muscles, gets the energy and blood moving and shifts any puffiness. It boosts the circulation—studies show by up to 400 per cent—which takes away toxins and brings in oxygen and nutrients. You are also creating a controlled trauma [that short-term flush of redness], which the skin then starts to repair by making new collagen.”
As with face rollers, she noted that there is a variety of tools to choose from. “Jade is known for its balancing effects and its ability to cool, so it helps de-puff features while clearing inflammation,” she shared. However, jade is not the only tool that can help with your beauty routine. She shared, “Rose quartz relates to the heart, so it’s especially good to use on the neck and chest, but not at night, as it can be too stimulating. And while Amethyst is associated with evenings and winter, Citrine is good for summer and mornings.”
How To Use A Gua Sha
- Gua Sha can be used on the face, body and scalp. It is best to use it with water or oil, but never on bare skin. We recommend trying Costa Brazil’s Kaya Anti-Aging Face Oil or Hayo’u’s Body Oil.
- Hold the Gua Sha tool with the curved side to your face and gently glide it up and out, starting with the neck, jawline, chin and around the mouth, between three and five times per area. Always take short strokes in just one direction, not back and forth.
- Next, press the tool flat to the skin, under the eyes or over any redness, to soothe and de-puff.
- Work the tool in small horizontal strokes over the brow bone to lift, or hold and press upwards between the brows to release tension.
- Stroke down the neck, never upwards, to drain fluid.
- If you want to reduce puffiness, work lightly, then more firmly, to relax muscles.
For a more in-depth visual representation, please click HERE for the “Beauty Restorer Lite Ritual” from Hayo’u Method.
And just like that, a few minutes of tender, love and care a day could be the secret to everything from glowing skin to a good night’s sleep.
To get your own Gua Sha tool, please visit net-a-porter.
