Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese/East Asian therapy, which involves medium pressure upward movements of the skin to improve circulation. The method used on the body is quite vigorous compared to the technique used on the face. This old school massage technique helps boost circulation, relieve tension and promote lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness and toxic build up in the skin. Simply explained, it involves a jade or rose quartz crystal tool that you graze over your skin in an upward movement. However, there are different techniques involved that enhance either lifting facial muscles or lymphatic drainage. All you need is just a few minutes everyday to notice a change in the elasticity, texture and glow in your skin. Facial Gua Sha needs to be practiced with the correct technique to avoid any mishaps.
We’ve put together a few techniques to demonstrate how we can make the most of the facial Gua Sha tool:
- First, make sure to prep your skin, cleanse and exfoliate then apply your choice facial oil lavishly all over your face and neck, try our SCO Vitamin C Elixir Rosehip and botox facial oil or the SCO Hydrating Serum.
- Warm the stone by rubbing it in between your hands. Start with your neck – and work your way up towards your chin. Apply mild but firm pressure to work the gua sha tool making sure the ridge side down.This clears a path for fluids to drain from your face.
- Next you slide upwards over the neck, this is known to activate your bodies healing energies and open up the lymphatic system to enhance drainage
- Sweep under the chin from the middle of your face towards your earlobes
- Slide the tool from the middle of the chin across the jawline towards the earlobes again
- Sweep under the cheekbones and then over the cheeks as well toward the ears
- Once you get to the eyes make sure to be gentle. Slide gently this time from the corners of the eyes to the middle
- Sweep over the eyebrow, toward the hairline and upwards
- Sweep from the middle of the forehead out to the hairline
- Repeat the same steps with the other side of your face
- Once you’ve finished then add the final step, sweep downwards all over the face, finishing on the neck to assist with final drainage
If you prefer cold technique you can always use your face oil and Gua Sha tool directly from the fridge!
Enjoy and Stay Consciously Beautiful!