Gua Sha (gua means press or stroke, and sha refers to a rash or redness) translates to “scraping” and is the process of using a flat stone on the skin. It boosts the circulation – studies show by up to 400 percent – which takes away toxins and brings in oxygen and nutrients.
Initially it was used as a treatment to increase circulation and relieve pain, inflammation, and areas of tension on the body — from the back to the legs. Over the years, people discovered that those same circulation benefits could actually help with look and feel of your skin, making the face look more lifted and radiant, releasing jaw and facial tension.
Celebrities Deepika Padukone, Roshni chopra, Mini Mathur and many more have been reported to use it in their at-home skincare ritual.
Gua Sha Tools
Gua sha tools refer to jade, rose quartz, crystalline, and other semiprecious stones carved to have a firm, flat surface.
- Jade is known for its balancing effects and its ability to cool, so it helps de-puff features while clearing inflammation
- Amethyst is associated with evenings and winter
- Citrine is good for summer and mornings
- Gua Sha Comb: for your scalp
- FaSha Crystal Clear Quartz Tool: for face, neck and chest
- Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set: for extra value
- Rose Quartz Heart Facial Gua Sha: for sensetive skin
Steps to a Gua Sha Ritual
Gua sha can be done on the face, body and scalp with water or oil, but never on bare skin.
- Hold the tool flat to the skin, under the eyes or over any redness, to soothe and de-puff. Then use the curved side and work it over the skin.
- Take short strokes in just one direction, not back and forth. Stroke it down the neck to drain [not upwards],
- Work it in small horizontal strokes over the brow bone to lift, or hold and press upwards between the brows to release tension.
- If you want to drain puffiness, work lightly, then more firmly to relax muscles.
- Your skin may look flushed after, but, like post-workout redness, this just shows a boost in circulation.
- Working from the forehead back through the hair is said to help hair growth and is also a key to great night sleep – doing it before bed is incredibly soothing, like having your hair brushed as a child.
- You can also work on the body, stroking about six times in one direction to help release tight connective tissue (making it good for cellulite and sponge-y flesh) and to make skin healthier – this almost freestyle approach ensures that it’s easier that skin brushing.
This ritual is done relatively gently (you’re in control of the pressure and the shape of tool you use).
Note:
- Not meant for those who are prone to broken capillaries.
- Avoid over broken skin or acne breakouts.
- People who are taking blood thinners or have clotting disorders aren’t good candidates for gua sha.
Side-Effects
- If any bleeding occurs, there’s a risk of transferring blood-borne illnesses with gua sha therapy, so it’s important to disinfect the tools after each practice.
- Avoid this technique if you’ve had any surgery in the last six weeks.