If you are like most people, you are always on the lookout for a facial treatment that guarantees jaw-dropping results and, fast. At the same time, you don’t want to be hit with a shocking price tag. Fortunately, a gua sha face massage delivers just that. Also called “coining”, this technique traces its roots to ancient Chinese medicine. One of the reasons the technique has become wildly popular is because it has emerged as a more affordable treatment option for those looking to get a nice facial massage. In this article, we break down gua sha massage and lay bare everything you need to know about it. Read on to learn more.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha refers to a treatment involving scraping a rose quartz stone or a flat jade over the skin upwardly, and the aim is to relax stiff muscles and at the same time encourage tissue drainage.
The treatment is widely applied in Chinese and East African medical practices. You may already know of the gua sha massage, a technique for treating tight muscles and muscle pain through applying pressure using the gua sha tool.
The results look quite pretty, which is why some people have labeled it as the best massage technique ever. An even newer trend is the gua sha facial treatment, which basically uses the same technique. And although it has been around for several thousand years, it has blown up on social media recently as the go-to aesthetic treatment for improving the look and feel of the skin.
Uses
The most common use of gua sha is relieving joint and muscle pain. Bone and muscle conditions are referred to as musculoskeletal disorders. They include tendon strain, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Experts state that the gua sha technique can also be of great benefit to the immune system, where it reduces inflammation. Gua sha can also be used for treating fever, cold, or lung problems.
Gua sha is associated with some minor injuries such as bruises, and these are referred to as microtrauma. They tend to result in a reaction in the body, which helps in breaking up scar tissue.
Microtrauma is also thought to help with fibrosis, which refers to the buildup of excess connective tissues when the body is cured.
Physiotherapists often use IASTM on a malfunctioned connective tissue to make it as mobile as it should. The issue might be a result of a repetitive strain injury, for instance. Another thing with gua sha is that it can be used together with other treatment procedures. For example, strengthening and stretches.
Gua Sha Best Practices
Prep your base
Firstly, gently cleanse and moisturize your neck and face, after which you should apply a serum or facial oil to the area to coat it. This helps the gua sha tool to glide smoothly and avoid injuries to the skin.
Begin at your neck and move up
Starting from the neck area before moving upwards ensures maximum lymphatic drainage. You should hold your Anfisa gua sha tool at an angle of 15 degrees (almost flat against the skin). After that, use your fingers to free the hand, so it acts as traction. After that, glide the stone along your skin with upward sweeping strokes. It should be a relatively relaxing experience. If you realize that it hurts, it means you are exerting too much pressure. Repeat every motion three-five times to get a meditative effect.
Massage Your Chin and Jaw
Start massaging your chin, and then sweep the tool across the jawline. Continue the movement until you come to your ear. Repeat the practice at least three times on each part.
Massage the Cheeks
Begin by working on the crease beside your nose. Next up, sweep across it until you get to the ear. Repeat the procedure at least three times on either side of the cheek.
Massage the Under-eyes Gently
The area under your eyes is an extremely sensitive spot, so it’s important to be very cautious. Apply very light pressure, moving the tool from the inner part of your eyes to the temple. You should repeat this motion at least three times on either side and do the same across your jaw bone. And when you reach the forehead area, sweep in upward motions from the eyebrows down to the hairline. Do this three-five times on each side.
Moisturize Properly
This is the last part of your facial massage session, and you should do it with a gentle moisturizer. Use a top-quality product that contains hyaluronic acid that plays a vital role in the production of collagen.
How Often Should I Perform a Gua Sha Facial Massage?
The beauty of at-home facial massage is that you can do it any time you like, without necessarily paying a hefty price tag. The next question that comes to mind is, how often is it best done?
According to experts, you should perform a facial massage with a gua sha tool twice or thrice a week. This allows you ample time to check if your skin has any swelling, irritation, and discomfort after you applied the procedure. If there is nothing wrong, it’s okay to perform the procedure every day. And if you want to take your gua sha massage to the next level, you will love the fact that there are countless tutorials on YouTube and Instagram.
Conclusion
Evidently, a facial gua sha massage has many benefits. It reduces puffiness, relaxes facial tension, improves the appearance of the skin, and boosts the effectiveness of skincare products. Ordinarily, you would have to wait for a few days to get a nice rub at the spa or salon.
But with a gua sha tool from Anfisa Skin, it’s now possible to get this relaxing treatment at home whenever you like. Not only does this save you money, but it also leaves you free to do it as frequently as you like.
