How To Use Gua Sha On Your Face
The Gua Sha Stone is one of the most popular beauty tools to use at home, known for delivering noticeable results, like firmer and smoother skin, less wrinkles, acne and blemishes. Typically cool to the touch, the Gua Sha Stone has a cooling action that helps with brightening your complexion, reducing puffiness and stimulating lymphatic drainage.
WHAT IS GUA SHA?
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that has been around for centuries. 'Gua' means 'scrape' and 'Sha' means 'sand', and it used to scrape across the skin on the body to redirect energy flow, which helps to move any stagnant energy, breaking it down, reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow and stimulating the lymphatic system to promote healing in the body. Used for centuries the simple technique treats a range of ailments including muscle pain, tension, inflammation and migraines.
More recently Gua Sha has been adapted for skincare practices, to address and re-energize the facial tissues. which leads to myofascial release (face muscle relaxation and improvement of circulation), it has a unique shape with different edges that when used correctly can contour your face, improve circulation, penetrate products, and relax tense muscles. Its benefits come from the motion, rather than the material. Used in stroking motion over the facial curvatures brings new blood to the surface and promotes lymphatic drainage, relaxing any tension in facial muscles which can cause lines. It is like exercise for your face and with regular use, Gua Sha can tone skin and promote increased skin elasticity.
WHICH TYPE OF GUA SHA TO CHOOSE
Gua Sha stones are commonly available in Jade, Rose Quartz and Black Obsidian.
Jade is known as the healing stone that invites good health, promotes over all well-being, and has been known to reduce stress and anxiety. Great for all skins.
Rose Quartz is known as the stone of love. It is balancing on the tissues and promotes regeneration. This is a great option for ageing skin concerns.
Black Obsidian is thought to be a strongly protective stone, absorbs negative energies from the environment. Obsidian also draws out mental stress and tension. This stone can be a good option for congested and breakout prone skins.
HOW TO USE A GUA SHA ON YOUR FACE
The best time to use your Gua Sha is after cleansing, so prepare Prep your skin by double cleansing, then apply your favourite serum and work over your skin with your Gua Sha technique.
Our top picks to use alongside your Gua Sha are Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil for breakout prone skin, Decleor White Magnolia Aromessence Oil Serum for dryness and ageing, or the Absolution Addiction Night And Day Face Oil 30ml Huile Visage Nuit Et Jour to address multiple skin concerns at once.
Complete your regimen by applying your moisturiser and SPF if in the day to hydrate, protect and glow.
The Dermalogica Gua Sha technique uses warming movements, which takes inspiration from traditional Gua Sha techniques of skin scraping and incorporates specific acupressure points to help re-energise and revitalise the skin.
To get the most out of your Gua Sha technique, repeat each movement at least 3 times. Gua Sha can be incorporated into your skincare regimen as little or often as you like. To look after your Gua Sha stone, gently wash with warm soapy water and carefully dry after each use.
Click here to learn how to do the Dermalogica Gua Sha technique.
