Gua Sha is one of the oldest beauty tools available in the market if you want to debloat and sculpt your face without going under the knife. But did you know that its effects go beyond the skin aesthetic?
Dubbed “the Botox of the Far East,” Gua Sha is a smooth-edged tool usually made from jade, quartz, and steel, with the more affordable ones being made of plastic.
It has a rich history, originating from ancient Chinese medicine, dating back thousands of years.
According to Pure Culture’s beauty and wellness director Kim Reyes-Palanca, choosing which type of Gua Sha is best for you “is a matter of preference and purpose.”
“Gua sha tools usually need cooling, healing, and grounding properties, and for this reason, more natural materials are preferred,” Kim told GMA News Online.
“At Pure Culture, we opted for rose quartz, the crystal of unconditional love associated with healing and rejuvenation, and jade, which signifies traditional earthy stone with grounding and balancing properties,” she added.
However, regardless of which material you use—natural, steel, or plastic—the effectiveness of Gua Sha varies on how you use it.
What are the benefits of Gua Sha?
The Gua Sha technique has gained popularity among people who want to sculpt the face, specifically to reduce the appearance of a double chin and debloating the cheek area.
When using Gua Sha, the gentle scraping motion encourages lymph fluid movement and stimulates lymphatic pathways to reduce fluid retention on the face, making the skin appear more sculpted.
“Lymphatic drainage means taking out blockages and ‘stagnation’ so blood can flow freely and the body can detox and heal itself,” Kim said.
“Stagnation can also mean having physical, emotional, and mental blockages as well, which is why healing the body holistically is now the recommended approach,” she added.
A personal practice
Kim also shared her personal practice with Gua Sha, which she incorporates with other physical activities such as breathing exercises, pilates, yoga, and walking, among others, for her overall well-being.
“I found that using my face tools and devices, including a Gua Sha, has easily become an integral part of my grounding practice,” she said.
“For those who have a hard time sitting still, clearing your head and meditating can come from mindful movements and practices like using a Gua Sha,” she added.
During a Pure Culture event organized by The Beauty Edit, Face Sculpt co-founder and certified medical aesthetician Alexandra Santos-Francisco said using Gua Sha is a ritual she practices on herself to lessen face bloating.
“Once you start using Gua Sha, it helps release all toxins and tensions in the body, giving you a more sculpted and glowy look,” Alexandra said.
“This ritual promotes blood circulation, drains and removes all the toxins, and keeps your lymphatic system healthy so that you don’t get water retention that much,” she added.
However, it’s important to note that improper use of Gua Sha can lead to skin bruising or irritation.
How to use it?
Before getting into any Gua Sha ritual, Alexandra highlighted the importance of putting facial oil or serum for lubrication to help the beauty tool glide smoothly on the skin.
When using the beauty tool, the medical aesthetician also advises gentle but firm strokes to avoid skin bruising.
The neck
Use the inner arc of Gua Sha from the collarbone towards the jawline. Repeat this sequence until you cover your entire neck.
The cheeks
Use the inner arc of Gua Sha to scrape your cheeks, starting from the nose and moving towards the ear. Repeat this sequence five to 10 times before moving to the opposite side.
The jaw
Use Gua Sha’s cleft to make a sweeping sequence from the chin and move toward the ear following the jawline. Repeat this sequence five to 10 times
The forehead
Use the inner arc of Gua Sha starting in the middle of your forehead, and glide outwards the temples. Repeat this sequence five to 10 times.
The under-eye
Use the inner arc of Gua Sha to produce gentle strokes from the inner corner of the eye to the outer. Be cautious and use lighter pressure here. Repeat this sequence five to 10 times
You may use Gua Sha at any time of the day, but it’s advisable to keep a routine every morning and before bedtime.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
Be the first to comment