Facial Gua Sha Beauty Spotlight
There are some very good reasons that Facial Gua Sha has gained so much popularity in recent years. Favored by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Uma Thurman, Eastern Medicine devotees and women seeking an alternative to injectables, Gua Sha has a steadily growing fan base. It is being recognized as a simple and all-natural beauty routine to lift, tone and detoxify - yielding some serious results.
What is facial Gua Sha?
Known as the Eastern “Face Lift”, Gua Sha is a traditional healing technique in which a smooth, small “panel” is pressed along the skin of the body, the face or the neck. Gua Sha tools are flat handheld tools, which vary in shape and are typically made from horn, bone, or crystal. Jade and Rose Quartz Gua Sha tools are some of my favorite.
When light pressure is applied to the skin, the body releases muscular tension and moves sluggish lymph fluid. Toxins are also released resulting in a clearer complexion. And finally, the massaging action relaxes tense muscles from which wrinkles are born. It’s a win-win-win scenario that feels more relaxing than it sounds!
What is the process?
This is an easy at home Gua Sha routine many of us at Magnolia have adopted. It makes for a great self-care ritual before bed.
Begin by preparing your skin by giving it a thorough cleanse followed by a gentle massage with a facial oil or balm of your preference.
We love May Lindstrom’s Blue Cocoon.
Once your skin is moisturized, begin by gently rolling the curved edge of the Gua Sha tool upwards from the base of your neck to your jaw line, in repetitive strokes of five. Continue this process along the jaw line, moving from the center of the chin out to the ears. It is important to lift upwards for anti-aging techniques. Repeat this motion along the cheekbones, moving from the apple of the cheek to the temple in one fluid stroke. Then again, from the third eye (between the eyebrows where the squinting wrinkle often occurs) up towards the hairline. For added lymphatic draining benefits (de-puffing) try starting in the center of your face and work your way outwards in long, quick strokes. You might notice your skin starts to look a little bit red or irritated but don’t panic as the redness will go down within a few minutes. For each movement, repeat all strokes five times, slowly, with gentle pressure.
Facial Gua Sha Workshop at Magnolia Wellness
What are the benefits and results?
Regular Gua Sha firms up your sagging facial muscles as it smooths the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. It can improve dark circles and bags under the eyes, lighten age spots and reduce acne and rosacea. All my clients have testified that their complexions appear more radiant. But best of all, it’s a convenient tool that you can do right at home!