Gua Sha: An Ancient Chinese Beauty Ritual
If you’ve been looking for a natural way to sculpt and lift your face - you’re in the right place. Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves massaging your skin with a special tool made of jade to improve your circulation. This ancient Chinese healing technique may offer a unique approach to better health, addressing issues like chronic pain. If you’re interested in what this tried and true therapy is all about, keep on reading.
What Is Gua Sha?
In gua sha, a technician scrapes your skin with a tool using short or long strokes to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow. Gua sha is generally performed on a person’s back, buttocks, neck, arms, and legs. A gentler version of it is even used on the face to sculpt and lift the face.
Gua sha is intended to address stagnant energy, or chi, in the body believed to be responsible for inflammation. Inflammation is the underlying cause of several conditions associated with chronic pain. Rubbing the skin’s surface is thought to help break up this energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
What Are the Benefits of Gua Sha?
- Tension Relief: A lot of tension from daily stress is normally held in the face and neck. Using deep pressure with a gua sha tool can get deep into areas to release held muscular tension. This can be a great tool for TMJ and headache sufferers. Relaxing our facial muscles regularly also prevents and fades light expression lines.
- Detoxifying: The manual movement of gua sha stimulates the lymphatic system, and helps your organs function optimally by breaking up stagnation, flowing debris and toxins within the body for easier expulsion.
- Glowing Complexion: Gua sha increases circulation and improves lymphatic function, resulting in a naturally dewy, glowing complexion. The action of gently scraping the tool across the skin aids in serum and moisturizer products sinking deeper into your skin, which can make them more effective. Gua sha can also be used to prevent and clear acne, decongesting the skin and lessening inflammation.
- Natural Facelift: The unique edges of various Gua Sha stones work perfectly to lift, sculpt and tighten the skin. Regular use can prevent the signs of aging such as sagging, dull and wrinkled skin. Since Gua Sha helps stimulate circulation, the technique itself oxygenates and carries nutrients to the skin cells. The increased blood flow to your face gives you a more lively, plumped up and youthful appearance.
Does This Natural Remedy Have Side Effects?
As a natural therapy, gua sha is safe. It’s not supposed to be painful, but the procedure may change the appearance of your skin. Because it involves scraping skin with a massage tool, tiny blood vessels known as capillaries near the surface of your skin can burst. This can result in skin bruising and minor bleeding. Bruising usually disappears within a couple of days.
The Bottom Line
When conventional therapies don’t improve your symptoms, research suggests that gua sha may be able to provide relief. This technique may appear straightforward and simple, but it should only be performed by a licensed acupuncturist or practitioner of Chinese medicine. This ensures a safe, proper treatment. Whoever you choose, make sure that person has a certification in gua sha. Looking to sculpt and lift your face and body? Sculpt CosMedics offers a wide range of services to suit your needs - from laser treatment, chemical peels, facials and more!
Call (718) 998-9898 to book a luxurious, one-on-one appointment at Sculpt CosMedics!