In recent years, the use of Gua Shas in skin care regimes has exploded – you can currently find over 2.6 million mentions on Tik Tok. But gua shas are actually ancient.
Gua sha jade tools are now especially popular, and with that in mind, we’ve created some advice and ideas on effectively using a gua sha jade tool in your routine.
If you’re looking to:
- tone your face
- tighten your skin
- reduce puffiness
- increase radiance
…then a Gua Sha jade tool combined with the purest skincare formulations could increase the chance of you getting the results you want.
What is a Gua Sha
Translating as ‘scratch’, a Gua Sha is a crystal or stone-based tool and massage technique originating in Asia, created to increase blood flow and relieve puffiness and congestion.
Early practitioners believed they were quite literally ‘scraping away’ the toxins, and they’re not entirely wrong in that.
In modern times, we use the Gua Sha to ease muscular tension, feed the skin by boosting circulation and reduce puffiness with lymphatic drainage.
Alongside specific massage techniques, your Gua Sha can help boost production of collagen and improve the look of cellulite.
Why Choose a Gua Sha Jade Tool
You can get many types of Gua Sha, but our favourite has got to be the Jade Gua Sha tool.
It’s heavy but feels so cool on the skin and doesn’t warm up even after a good ten minutes of use. This cooling helps with reducing puffiness and inflammation and feels utterly beautiful on the skin.
If you’re menopausal or have a wee bit of a hangover, a Gua Sha jade tool is one of the nicest ways to bring your temperature down!
As a crystal, jade is thought to be calming, encouraging longevity and wisdom. It’s also purifying and was often chosen to work with inflamed, sore or sensitive skins.
You can also use a jade roller which has an excellent massage action - as the name suggests, it rolls across the skin.
What are the key benefits of using a Gua Sha Jade Tool as part of your facial massage?
Reduce puffiness
Regularly massaging with a gua sha encourages lymphatic drainage from your face, neck and anywhere else you use it.
This leads to more refined looking skin, draining away toxins and improving the skin's tone and texture.
Improve the signs of ageing
Gua sha improves the flow of blood to the skin and increases collagen production helping with the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
As we age, we also lose muscle tone, so by practising regularly and improving skin tightness you reduce the ‘sagging’ we associate with ageing.
Reduces tightness in the muscles
Gua sha helps to ‘release’ the fascia, which can be beneficial not just on the face, but across the back and neck, the shoulders, even the hips and thighs.
By working your muscles regularly with a Gua Sha, you get two key benefits – one of relaxation. The more relaxed you feel, the more relaxed and ‘glowing’ you look.
Secondly, by reducing tightness in the jaw, nose, or body you release areas that can form lines and stress marks.
Increasing tone and texture
All this massage and attention on our muscles and blood flow shows directly in the look of our skin. The texture becomes more refined. Scarring reduces and colour is heightened, which all serves to leave your skin looking more ‘well’.
Improved blood circulation
Using facial tools and massage as part of your regular routine has a positive impact on skin blood flow, which may help improve your skin's appearance and can lead to glowing skin!
Stimulate happy hormones
The motion of the gua sha encourages the release of our natural anti-inflammation and pain-relieving endorphins – this leads to a feeling of ‘bliss’ that many regular gua sha users share as their ‘favourite’ bit of the practice!
HOW TO USE YOUR GUA SHA JADE TOOL
STEP 1
We always suggest incorporating your gua sha as part of your ‘night-time’ regime, to wind down and relax at bedtime.
Start with clean skin and apply your favourite moisturiser or serum. If you’re looking for pro-age benefits, we advise our Superfruit Concentrate, which is rich and will continue the good work of your massage long after you’re done.
If your skin is more oily, you might enjoy using our new prebiotic moisturiser, that works with the skin’s own acid mantle to moisturise whilst adding balance.
STEP 2
Starting at the neck, holding the gua sha jade tool almost flat against the skin, work it up and out in firm, not hard strokes. Repeat each movement around 6 – 10 times.
Work up to the chin, then up the jaw towards the ears.
From here follow the line of the nose to mouth, with short strokes outwards over the cheeks.
Lift the cheeks then work into the temples – be careful around the eyes as they’re very delicate.
Work from the nose down, and up, then over the forehead towards the scalp to finish:
STEP 3
Wash your Gua Sha with warm water and soap.
GUA SHA JADE TOOL FOR THE BODY
Gua sha works wonders on areas of loose or uneven skin.
For hips and thighs simply work the gua sha up over the skin repeatedly, in the direction of the heart for up to five minutes.
For the tummy and arms, gentle strokes side to side and upwards will help create a lift and ease the signs of ‘chicken’ skin or stretch marks.
Ask a loved one to massage the muscles of the shoulder and neck outwards after work for a soothing treat.
How Often Should I Gua Sha?
We recommend Gua Sha every other night.
If you’re particularly stressed following a challenging day, spending additional time on your temples and jaw releases tension.
Sometimes holding the gua sha still against pulse points can also release strain and reduce challenges like menopausal flushing.
For more advice on the gua sha, speak to our organic skincare experts here >
To try our new probiotic moisturiser, visit here >
To try our superfruit concentrate, visit here >
You can find a jade roller at Acala Online.