For most people achieving a sculpted face without going under the knife is a dream come true. Now it is possible, with the help of a simple technique achieving a defined face does not require professional assistance. Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medicinal technique that dates back to the mid 13th century. This technique is ordinarily used for treating muscle pain, muscle tension, and improving blood circulation.
This alternative medicine therapy may resolve many health issues, including issues like chronic body pain.
Gua Sha is a technique that incorporates applying pressure and scraping the skin with a tool to help relieve pain and tension. The term Gua Sha is a Chinese word that refers to as “coining”, “scarping”, or “spooning” which successfully concludes the method.
Gua sha stones have been popularized by Instagram and beauty influencers. These stones essentially help with lymphatic drainage and help reduce puffiness under the eyes. In other words, Gua sha stones help one achieve a snatched and well-defined face. This beauty tool is a must-have for people who are looking for another beneficial element to add to their skincare routine.
What is a Gua Sha Stone?
The word Gua Sha is made from two words “Gua” and “Sha” where Gua means to “scrape” and Sha means “sand”. Etymologically the literal translation of the term is “ to scrape petechia” referring to the sand-like bruising the individual gets after the treatment. The contemporary Gua Sha technique that is used for a facial massage on the contrary does not leave bruising on the skin.
A Gua Sha tool is a flat object that is manufactured by semi-precious stones like jade or quartz. These tools often have multiple blunt edges that are used to massage the skin. The edges on the tool have specific purposes that facilitate reducing redness, puffiness, circulating lymphatic drainage, and improving blood circulation.
Gua Sha tools are available in multiple shapes and materials with different purposes. Here is everything you will need to know about gua sha before investing in one.
What are the different types of Gua Sha Stones?
Gua sha stone is a versatile tool that facilitates multiple skincare and muscle problems. Gua Sha stones are available in different styles and materials that provide benefits to a plethora of problems. Here is a list of different types of Gua Sha tools that will help one discover a tool best suited for them.
Gua Sha Tools made with different materials:
Gua Sha is not only diverse in terms of style but also in materials. Each material listed below has a significant purpose that into account the physical problems along with covering the spiritual aspects.
- Rose Quartz: A tool with a beautiful shade of pink that is manufactured out of rose quartz crystal. Rose Quartz is associated with emotions like compassion and love. Rose Quartz if upon being used on the face and body help in increasing blood circulation. This tool will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, remove toxins, and help purge negativity.
- Jade Stone: Jadestone is also referred to as the “stone of luck and happiness”. This stone is popularly known for stabilizing imbalanced energies. The use of a Gua Sha manufactured with Jade Stone facilitates lymphatic drainage and reduces puffiness.
- Black Obsidian: Black Obsidian is a volcanic glass that is formed by the rapid cooling of lava. Pure obsidian is often dark in color and has the most powerful element like fire, water, and earth. Black Obsidian is a stone of purity that helps clear negativity that resides in the body. The use of Black Obsidian Gua Sha also helps strengthen muscles, repair tissues, and rejuvenate the skin.
- Amethyst: A lilac-colored stone that symbolizes peace, calming energy, and cleansing, Amythest helps get rid of negative energy from the body. The Amythest stone also helps tighten pores and cool down the skin.
Gua Sha tools based on different Shapes:
Along with different materials, Gua Sha is also available in a variety of shapes and sizes that target specific issues. The small-sized Gua Sha is used on smaller areas of the face whereas the bigger sized Gua Sha is used on bigger areas of the face.
- Concave Side Gua Sha: A concave side Gua Sha is most beneficial for wider parts of the face and body. It can be used to relax facial muscles, release jaw tension, and encourage plumping as well as sculpt the face. It can also be used on the shoulders, neck, and spine.
- Cleft Gua Sha: A cleft-shaped Gua Sha is smaller in size and is primarily used around the jaw area. It helps improve blood circulation as well as sculpt the face, giving the jaw a more angular appeal.
- Double Curved Side Gua Sha: A Gua Sha that facilitates the circulation of blood in the face, a double-curved Gua Sha is used around the eyes and cheeks. It helps reduce puffiness and improve lymphatic drainage.
- Teeth Edge Gua Sha: For people who are looking for a tool that will help them reduce the appearance of wrinkles, a teeth edge Gua Sha will be perfect for them. A teeth edge Gua Sha has multiple edges that stimulate the appearance f fine lines and wrinkles. Teeth edge Gua Sha is used for firming the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This tool is primarily used on wide areas like cheeks, forehead, temples, and chin.
- Pointed Convex Edge Gua Sha: A pointed convex edge Gua Sha is a small tool that primarily focuses on sculpting the eyebrows.
- Multi-Purpose Gua Sha: This tool comprises almost all of the edges and shapes mentioned above. A multi-purpose Gua Sha can be used on the face as well as the body.
How to use a Gua Sha Stone?
It is important to learn the proper technique to achieve the desired results. The Gua Sha technique requires the individual to execute proper movements, placements, angles, and pressure on the skin for effective use. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for achieving optimal results while using a Gua Sha.
- A Fresh Start: The prerequisite to any skincare method is to start with a clean surface. Along with the face, it is also important to keep the skincare equipment clean. Wash the tool with soap and water r even put it in the refrigerator for optimum results.
- A slippery surface: Once the face and the Gua Sha are properly cleaned, apply a face serum, face oil, or a face moisturizer to keep the surface slippery. This step will help the Gua Sha glide smoothly on the surface without causing unnecessary friction or irritation.
- Proper Grip: One should always hold the Gua Sha firmly while keeping the Gua Sha parallel to the face. The curved parts should properly hug the curves and edges of the face while the flat parts should rest on the skin.
- Perfect pressure: The pressure should be evenly distributed. The pressure applied to the shouldn’t be too hard that it would tug or pull the skin and cause damage.
- Effective Placements and Movements:
- Jaw and neck: the most effective side for the jaw and neck is the wider concave of the Gua sha. Make sure to pull the Gua Sha upwards while applying evenly distributed pressure.
- Chin: using a smaller cleft of the Gua will be best suited for the chin and cheeks. Starting from the center of the chin with scraping movements, glide the Gua Sha along the jawline towards the ears.
- Cheeks: using the flat curve of the Gua Sha start to glide the tool from the center of the face to properly massage the cheeks. Make sure to make horizontal movements.
- Eyes: with the smaller end of the Gua Sha start to glide the Gua Sha starting from the under eyes towards the temple in an upwards motion.
- Forehead: By using the largest curve of the Gua Sha start to gently tug the tool from the eyebrows towards the hairline.
What are the Benefits of using a Gua Sha Stone?
Many people claim to see visible changes in their face structure. Using a Gua Sha properly can provide multiple benefits to the skin. If used regularly a Gua Stone can provide the following benefits-
- Blood Circulation: Proper Movements and pressure helps increase the blood flow of the skin. This helps in detoxification, relaxing muscles, and relieving pain.
- Lymphatic Drainage: Using a facial Gua Sha helps increase the lymphatic circulation in the skin. A proper lymphatic massage can help accelerate the movement of lymphatic fluid under the skin and help with the removal of toxins from the skin.
- Reducing Puffiness: The Good circulation of lymphatic fluids also helps with the reduction of puffiness. A proper massage helps reduce the appearance of swollen and puffy skin, giving the face a structured as well as sculpted look.
- A Sculpted Face: With the help of proper movements and evenly distributed pressure, one can achieve the desired definition of cheekbones, jawline, and other contours of their face.
- Reducing Wrinkles and Fine lines: Massaging the face with a Gua Sha helps with the production of an anti-aging molecule called collagen. Collagen is found in skin connective tissue and helps the skin become firm and retain its elasticity. By using the designated edges present in the Gua Sha for wrinkles and Fine Lines, one can observe visible changes in terms of the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Brightening up the Complexion: Gua Sha Massage helps the skin release toxins and improves blood circulation. The use of Gua Sha not only recused dark circles and discoloration, but it also accelerates the movement of “Chi” and makes the skin appear brighter as well as healthier.
- Helps fight Acne as well as Cystic Acne: Gua Sha not only helps with firming and sculpting the face but also helps fight acne. It helps reduce red flare-ups, size of the pores, and reduce congestion as well as improve circulation.
How to Properly Store the Gua Sha Stone?
To store the Gua Sha Stone one should follow the steps mentioned below:
- Wash the Gua Sha after every use to avoid possible skin problems like acne or breakouts. Washing the Gua Sha stone with soap and water is more than sufficient.
- Store the Gua Sha in a clean and dry place. Storing the Gua Sha stone in a refrigerator does the job.
- Lastly, Gha Sha Stones should be handled with extreme care. One should avoid dropping the Gua Sha stone.
How often should a Gua Sha Stone be used?
To achieve optimum results a Gua Sha Stone should be used at least three times a week. One can use a Gua Sha Stone in the morning to reduce the appearance of puffy skin and at night to help facilitate proper blood circulation and relax the tense facial muscles.
Who should not use a Gua Sha stone?
People with skin problems like eczema, active acne, rosacea, or any underlying skin problem that can cause the skin to flare up should desist from using a Gua Sha stone. It is best to first consult a dermatologist or a skin physician before opting to use a Gua Sha. During Pregnancy, one should first consult a doctor before using the Gua Sha Stone.
