Gua Sha Vibes (Video)

WHAT is Gua Sha?

Gua sha is a natural healing technique of traditional East Asian medicine. The technique involves scraping your skin with a stone massage tool to improve circulation and remove any blood stagnation. In traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that rubbing the skin’s surface can help improve blood flow, reduce inflammation and promote healing in cases of chronic pain. The technique may be applied to different areas of the body. Typically the techniques used on the back, neck, arms, legs, glutes can be pretty intense, while a gentler version of the technique is done on the face.

The Facial gua sha massage technique is designed to relieve tension in the muscles of the face, boost blood circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage. It helps break up fascia — the connective tissue that hugs muscles. Our day to day stress contributes to tension and poor posture through the body. It also contributes to lots of tension within our face and jaw line. Using gua sha regularly is one of the easier and very affordable ways to counter that damages and restore circulation.

Is Facial Gua Sha the same as a Jade Roller?

It is similar, but more powerful than a roller. I suggest using a Jade Roller with fascial masks, to roll the facial mask into the face more effectively. But ultimately, I use gua sha every morning to release any tension, first thing and send that self care signal to my body.

KEY BENEFITS to Facial Gua Sha

Improved blood flow
Lymphatic drainage
Reduces inflammation and blood stagnation
Stress Relief
Smoothens skin

KEY NOTES on technique

Angle of holding tool: flat against your skin
Pressure: light to medium pressure
Speed: slow and mindful
Apply a non-toxic oil/facial serum to freshly washed face & neck, in an upward motion.
I use Mogi Mousse (4-5 drops)

NECK

Back of the neck, just above the spine

Using indented curve of Gua sha, begin stroking upwards towards your bone/hairline (5 strokes)

Left Shoulder

Using the long edge of tool, stroking up the neck until you’ve met the bone and do a little massage wiggle (5 strokes)

Repeat on the other side.

Front/Center of neck

Take one hand and place on your sternum. Using the notched edge of tool, starting at your sternum, stroking up the neck until you meet the jaw bone and do a little massage wiggle (5 strokes)

FACE

Jaw

Place 2 fingers on the bottom of your chin for support. Using the notched edge of tool, stroking from the chin all along the jaw line until you meet your ear and do a little massage wiggle (5 strokes)

Repeat on the other side.

Cheek

Place a finger next to your nose. Using the long edge of the tool, start pulling towards your ear, in a slightly upward angle. Massage with a little wiggle at the end of the stroke. (5 strokes)

Under eye

Using very light pressure for these strokes. Place your index finger on the inner corner of your eye. Using one of the notches, start stroking from inner eye, outward towards the outer corner of your eye, angling the tool slightly upwards towards hairline. End each stroke with a little wiggle. (5 strokes)

Repeat on other side.

Eyebrow

Place a finger in between your brows. Using the notched edge, using light-medium pressure, start stroking along the brow bone, towards the end of your brow bone. When you’ve reached the end of your brow bone, turn your tool at an upward angle and move across temple until you reach your hair line. End with a little wiggle. (5 strokes)

Repeat on other side.

Forehead/Left, Center & Right side

Place your fingers over your eye lid. Using the long edge of the tool, start stroking with light pressure, upwards towards the hairline, ending with a wiggle. (5 strokes)

Repeat on other side.

WHERE to get one

There are so many versions of the Gua Sha, and it will boil down to your preference. But the great news is, they are incredibly affordable! Here are a couple of versions below.

Herbivore $18

Amazon $11

Face Serum I LOVE is Mogi Mousse SHOP HERE (enter HKHL20at checkout for 20% discount)