Gua Sha For Facial and Body Massage
Whilst only adopted relatively recently by the western beauty world, gua sha massage has been utilised for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.
I take a deep dive into gua sha for face and body, how to gua sha, the benefits of gua sha and share my chosen gua sha routine.
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua sha (pronounced “gwah shah”) is derived from the Chinese word for scraping. The practice originated in traditional Chinese medicine in the Yuan Dynasty, before evolving into the widely-adopted healing technique we know today.
Gua sha involves applying pressure to a tool (most often crafted from quartz or stainless steel) in long, smooth sweeps over the skin.
Regular commitment to gua sha massage aids lymphatic drainage, helps improve blood flow, smooths the skin and releases muscle tension and stress, with the ability to deliver glowing, dewy skin, improved definition and a calmed mind.
Each tool will have various edges designed to be used on different areas of the face or body via specific gua sha techniques.
Facial Gua Sha Techniques
Start your routine by cleansing with your regular cleanser. This is an unmissable step: gua sha promotes absorption, so if your skin is harbouring any impurities, it can drive them deeper into the dermis.
Next, apply a light facial oil to ensure there is a little slip and you are not dragging your skin and simply follow the four steps below:
1. Take your chosen tool lightly in your hand, and use the longer curved indent to sweep in smooth strokes upwards on the neck, from collarbone to jawline. You need to be firm but not heavy handed, making sure you are not pulling too powerfully.
2. Use the heart-shaped end to apply pressure from the centre of the chin up along the jaw towards your earlobe.
3. Revert to the longer curved indent and sweep upwards from the corner of the mouth across the cheek, towards the ear.
4. Gently hold one eyebrow in place (so not to tug the skin) and move the tool gently upwards from above the eyebrow to the hairline, repeating by the same technique on the other side.
If you have areas you particularly hold tension (like your temples or jaw), feel free to linger a little longer on those areas.
I wouldn’t personally massage the delicate skin around the eyes, but if you are seeing a little puffiness, holding your cold tool over the eye before beginning your facial massage can act as a cold compress.
A couple of call outs: if you have any type of inflammation (such as sunburn, psoriasis, eczema), or you have had any injectables (such as botox) in the last four weeks, I would delay indulging in a facial massage until you’ve consulted with a dermatologist.
Body Gua Sha Routine
Caring for our bodies can often be overlooked in favour of our faces, but the benefits of gua sha are just as impactful below the chin, with a body gua sha massage similarly smoothing the skin, increasing definition and creating a moment of mindfulness.
A tool for the body will differ from the facial tool – both in size, the design of the edges and their uses – and since the skin on the body is thicker than that of the face, it needs to be approached differently.
For my gua sha body routine, I take care to complete the following five actions:
1. Sweep a body serum over the areas being treated.
2. Take your body tool and run the curved edge in upward strokes on the arms and lower legs.
3. Flip to the wavy edge for thighs, buttocks and upper belly, before using downwards strokes on the lower belly.
4. Firmly smooth the curved edge upwards over the lower back, then downwards on the neck and shoulders to massage my tired muscles.
5. To increase circulation, support cell turnover and leave skin glowing, gently scrape the combed edge all over, then wrap up by applying the pointed tip to wherever you need to relieve pressure.
My Favourite Gua Sha Sets
My chosen gua sha combinations are below:
For The Face: I love Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil and the
For The Body: It has to be my Joonbyrd DOUBLE DATE Body Serum Duo. DAYDREAMER Firming Body serum is powered by 18 actives and botanicals to visibly tone the skin, whilst our amethyst-crafted HEARTWARMER Body Gua Sha Tool boosts microcirculation, eases strained muscles and smooths the skin.
For more expert insight on the skin and body care trends you need to know, discover my journal.
