WHAT is a Gua Sha?
Gua sha translates to “scrape wind”. It is a technique used in Chinese Medicine, on the body and face to release toxins and pain in muscles. When used in the facial region, it’s a light scraping technique using repeated strokes on the surface of the skin, helping to stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
WHY Gua Sha?
Each day, we hold a lot of tension in our bodies but also in our neck and face. When our facial muscles & tissues aren’t massaged or paid much attention to, this can create a stagnant lymph, collecting toxins in the tissue and creating wrinkles. With daily use of Guah Sha facial practice, this can help to relieve a lot of that tension, enhance circulation and promote collagen production. This is also a really relaxing and budget friendly self-care tool that can easily be incorporated into one’s routine.
KEY Notes on technique before getting started:
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- Angle of holding tool: flat against your skin
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- Pressure: light to medium pressure
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- Speed: slow and mindful
KEY BENEFITS to Daily Gua Sha practice
- Increased circulation & Healthy collagen promotion
- De-puffing of the face & eyes
- Relaxed facial muscles
- Improved skin tone and texture
- Smoothens out fine lines, reducing appearance of wrinkles
HOW & When to Gua Sha properly (Video Demo at bottom)
You can Gua Sha anytime of day. I like to start my morning’s with it. It’s sometimes calming for even children at night when they are not falling to sleep easily. (Specifically the forehead area).
→ First, apply a non-toxic oil/facial serum to freshly washed face & neck, in an up and outward motion.
→ I use Mogi Mousse (plant-based) Face Serum (discount code at bottom) (4-5 drops)
NECK
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- Back of the neck, just above the spine: Using indented curve of Gua sha, begin stroking upwards towards your bone/hairline (5 strokes)
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- 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)
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- Repeat on the other side.
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- 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
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- 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)
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- Repeat on the other side.
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- 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)
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- 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)
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- Repeat on other side.
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- 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)
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- Repeat on other side.
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- 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)
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- 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
