NATURAL ANTI-AGING WITH GUA SHA
Gua Sha stones have been a top trend lately that are here to stay due to the amazing benefits. But how can gua sha help your skin and more so, how can it help with your anti-aging goals? We are here to share all about gua sha, why it’s amazing and how it can help with anti-aging.
WHAT IS GUA SHA?
Gua Sha, also known as “skin scraping,” is a technique that uses a flat stone, normally made out of jade or rose quartz, to apply pressure to the skin. The tool is used in an upward, outward motion to release tension. This can treat muscle pain, tightness, promote lymphatic drainage, sculpt the face and help with facial symmetry.
THE HISTORY OF GUA SHA
Truth be told, less is more when it comes to professional skincare products and treatments. SkinBetter Science takes up the least amount of space on our shelves in the retail store and on your bathroom counter. Why do you think that is? Each product packs a punch towards results. Let’s start with our baseline products—cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. As a licensed esthetician we should always opt for two from each of these categories for our patients.
Gua sha originated in ancient China and is known as one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese medicine. Gua Sha is a Chinese word that is pronounced as Gwah-Shah and is defined in two parts — “Gua” means “scrape” while ‘Sha’ is said to mean “redness of skin.” Which if you have ever used a gua sha before you know why the redness in the name makes sense.
Back in the stone age, hands or stones were rubbed on various parts of the body in an effort to alleviate pain or symptoms when people felt sick or became unconscious. Over the years with Gua Sha routines trending the tool has been adjusted and modernized. The gua sha stone is now made out of most commonly, jade or rose quartz. These stones are used to treat the skin in upward strokes and swift and gentle motions in order to relax stiff muscles while relieving pain and tension, treat certain illnesses, and improve blood circulation.
BENEFITS
Gua sha is one of the best simple self-care treatments for the face and one we love to incorporate for our patients at SKN BAR Rx.
STRESSED MUSCLES
Facial muscles are often stressed from constant changes in expressions such as frowning, raising eyebrows or clenching the jaw. TMJ is much more common now and we have found those who are consistent with their gua sha routine to find relief.
SCULPTING
Gua sha also sculpts and enhances your facial features. Every time you scrape the skin, it leads to lymphatic drainage which removes toxins that build up under the skin to sharpen and con tour the face.
WHOLISTIC CONNECTION
There is a spiritual side to gua sha as well. When choosing a gua sha stone, it's important to choose a stone that resonates with you. Rose quartz is known for love and beauty. For peace and nourishment, choose the jade stone. Gua sha should be a self-care ritual for yourself to breathe and enjoy the treatment. Take this time to relax and choose a stone that speaks to you.
GUA SHA & AGING
Gua sha has been said to have incredible aging benefits. Something we share often at SKN BAR Rx to our patients is that with aging comes our skin slowly producing less collagen. After the age of 20, women produce about 1% less collagen in the skin each year. We know, it’s shocking! And as a result of this decrease in collogen, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile with aging. Don’t be worried, this is where the right skin care products, skin treatments, healthy lifestyle and eating habits come in, as well as gua sha, to improve and slow the aging process down.
During a gua sha session, the layers under the outer skin are stimulated, and micro-circulation is improved. Gua sha has been said to visibly minimize fine lines and wrinkles, boost skin’s elasticity, and give skin a glow almost instantly.
HOW TO GUA SHA
1. Wash Your Face
Prep the skin by washing your face with your favorite cleanser.
2. Apply a cream or facial oil to your skin
Sea Buckthorn oil is great for the skin to provide a nice glow and hydration. You never want to perform gua sha without a facial oil because the oil is what allows the stone to move smoothly and comfortably across the skin.
3. Facial massage
Gently sweep the stone in an upward and outward motion starting from the neck and moving up to your chin. Then sweep along your chin, cheeks, and very gently around the eye area. Start from the inner portion of the face and sweep out to the side of the face to drain lymph away and out.
4. Neck Massage
Always finish with your neck as you are pushing down and out stagnant lymph from your face.
5. Repeat
Repeat the motions about 3-5 times for 5-10 minutes. You are welcome to take your time with this practice as it can be done slowly and used as a relaxation. But benefits can be seen in just a 5-10 minutes gua sha session.
We love incorporating gua sha in our patient’s skincare treatments at SKN BAR Rx and it is something that you can enjoy the benefits of on a daily basis right at home. Take a step closer towards your skincare goals and enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic experience with gua sha.
Abby
Licensed Aesthetician, SKN BAR Rx
