Here’s What Actually Happened To My Face When I Tried Gua Sha

• by Oliver James
• 2 years ago
• Health & Beauty

Gua Sha Stone

Gua sha is a skincare technique that involves scraping your skin with a jade massage tool to reduce inflammation, stimulate blood flow, and define your jawline and cheekbones for a more youthful appearance. The procedure is an old Chinese approach that has recently gained popularity among skincare experts due to the numerous favourable side effects it can provide. As the winter wears on, I've noticed my skin becoming more tired-looking and drab than usual, so when I read about gua sha, I thought it was something worth a go. If nothing else, it will be a relaxing face massage!

How To Use A Gua Sha

To prepare my skin for gua sha, I utilised the Skin Gym Jade Gua Sha Tool and the Elaluz Beauty Oil. Apply some oil before beginning your gua sha journey so the jade has something to glide over instead of yanking on your skin. After putting three drops of oil to my face and neck, I took the long edge of the jade and, using light pressure, dragged the tool from the base of my neck to my jaw. I repeated this five times before switching sides.According to what I've read, you're supposed to divide your face into sections and use the gua sha tool five times in each region before moving on.

Gua Sha Facial

The order you should be following, according to the Skin Gym website, is: 

1. Jawline and chin
2. Forehead
3. Cheek
4. Under eye
5. Brows
6. Lips
7. Neck

When I got to my under eyelids, I moved to the jade's pointed end and applied somewhat less pressure. Because the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate, it requires a softer touch. I did make the mistake of pressing a bit too hard on my forehead, which left a wonderful red mark for about an hour following, but the process was generally a success.

I gua sha'd my face once a day for three days, and while a longer trial period might have yielded better results, I was pleasantly impressed with what I did observe! My eye region appeared brighter and more alive, and perhaps it was only in my head, but my jawline felt more defined. I also felt less puffy, therefore I would recommend it if you have facial inflammation. I'll have to keep practising to see whether there are any further long-term benefits, but the process felt pleasant and was a welcome addition to my evening routine.