5 Benefits of Facial Gua Sha April 07 2021

 By Holistic Skin Therapist, Cassandra Bradshaw

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is a traditional Eastern asian practice that translates in english to “scraping the pain away”. This practice has been adapted from a full body vigorously detoxifying treatment to a beautifying relaxing ritual for the face, neck and decolletage. Healing crystal stones are gently stroked across the skin to encourage lymphatic flow, increase circulation, and smooth + lift the skin.

5 reasons we love facial Gua Sha

1. Grounding Ritual

Whether you are receiving the Gua Sha treatment from a professional or indulging in self-practice, the art of Gua Sha is extremely grounding. The slow pace of movement and gentle touch are deeply relaxing, instantly activating our parasympathetic (relaxed) nervous state. When we’re feeling grounded in our bodies and calm through our mind, we can handle emotional issues or obstacles that come our way more easily with self awareness and ease. Using Gua Sha as a medium to tune in to ourselves more fully transforms this cosmetic treatment into a truly stress relieving + grounding ritual.

2. Tension Relief

We hold so much tension in our face and neck. Using deep pressure with a Gua Sha stone can really get into sticky knotted areas to release held muscular tension, thus allowing muscles to do their supportive jobs properly. You’ll experience a dramatic release of tension with Gua Sha incorporated frequently into your self-care routine. This can be a great tool for TMJ and headache sufferers. Relaxing our facial muscles regularly also prevents and fades light expression lines.

3. Detoxifying

Gua Sha can be used to clear blockages in meridian channels, which connect our organs together and transport both blood and chi (life force). Our channels need to be clear in order to work harmoniously and for chi to flow well throughout the body. If an organ is not functioning properly, the channel could be blocked - and vice versa. We can clear the channel of blockages by scraping the Gua Sha tool along it. Gua Sha imparts a truly holistic effect on the body. This manual movement stimulates our lymphatic system, helping our organs function optimally by breaking up stagnation, flowing debris and toxins within the body for easier expulsion.

4. Natural Facelift

The unique edges of various Gua Sha stones work perfectly to lift, sculpt and tighten the skin. Regular use can prevent the signs of aging such as sagging, dull and wrinkled skin. Since Gua Sha helps stimulate circulation, the technique itself oxygenates and carries nutrients to the skin cells. The increased blood flow resulting from Gua Sha contributes to a more lively, plumped up and youthful appearance.

5. Glowing Skin

No flow, no glow! Gua Sha increases circulation and improves lymphatic function, resulting in a naturally dewy, glowing complexion. The action of gently scraping the Gua Sha tool across the skin aids in serum/moisturizer product penetration, so those juicy phytonutrients go deeper into the layers of skin to feed us even more hydration. Gua Sha can also be used to prevent and clear acne, decongesting the skin and lessening inflammation.