For several seasons now, the enigmatic-sounding Gua Sha massage has been winning the hearts (and skin!) of many women around the world. Today, we explain what Gua Sha massage is, how to use a Gua Sha stone , and why it's worth doing!
The origin of the Gua Sha plate. What is it and how is it made?
Gua Sha massage is performed with a special stone of the same name. The Gua Sha plate is made of a natural stone - jadeite or pink quartz. Jadeite is a "jade stone", responsible for youth. On the other hand, pink quartz is called a "love stone", in the sense of: love for oneself. The Gua Sha plate is thin, most often shaped like a heart.
Gua Sha facial massage comes from an ancient Chinese tradition. The name itself says a lot about this method - "gua" literally means scraping , and "sha" - redness. That's right - the effect of facial massage is reddened skin, but not from cuts or irritation. Gua Sha massage improves lymph flow, giving the skin a healthy, rosy color.
Tip: When choosing a plate, pay attention to how it ends. Sharp edges can cause unwanted redness, which has nothing to do with blood flow. In addition, facial massage with a gua sha plate is not recommended for people with skin problems, e.g. active lesions. Also, do not use it if your skin is inflamed. Otherwise, its condition will worsen even more and may be difficult to control.
Gua Sha Stone - How to Use?
First of all, remember that a Gua Sha face massage should be one of the stages of your daily care routine . Don't do it while working in front of a computer or watching a movie. Treat it as a leisurely ritual in taking care of yourself.
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Start by removing your makeup and cleansing your skin before massaging. For this purpose, the iconic GLOV On-The-Go glove works great, replacing both a makeup remover and a skin cleanser.
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Then apply an oil or serum of similar consistency to your face. This is important - this type of cosmetic provides the right amount of slip during facial massage (not too much, not too little).
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Start your Gua Sha massage from your neck, moving in a sliding motion towards your jaw. Repeat this motion several times to thoroughly massage this area of the body.
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Then we move on to the beard. Focus on a lateral movement towards the jaw, then from the mouth towards the ear, from the wings of the nose to the center of the face. Perform the massage with outward and upward movements. Repeat again several times, preferably until the skin turns pink. Remember to skillfully balance the rubbing - you will notice for yourself whether you need more pressure or not.
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The Gua Sha massager is also great for the eye area. It makes the skin firmer and smoother. Use the smaller edge of the Gua Sha plate for this purpose. Massage in this area also reduces facial wrinkles, reduces puffiness and swelling.
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Finally, apply your favorite face cream, e.g. GLOV Skin Harmony . Now you can go to bed or - depending on the time of day - continue getting ready to go out.
Tip 1: The Gua Sha stone is not only useful for facial massage, but also for neck, shoulder, and even full body massage. After all, the Gua Sha plate was once used for therapeutic purposes regardless of which area required massage.
Tip 2: The Gua Sha plate is a cosmetic accessory like any other, so it also requires cleaning. It is best to wash the Gua Sha plate under running lukewarm water, and it is best to disinfect it and leave it to dry. A dirty massager can cause blackheads and other skin impurities.
Gua Sha massage - what are the effects?
Here are the most expected effects of regular Gua Sha massage:
- improves lymph flow,
- reduces fine wrinkles,
- smoothes the skin,
- There is also visible improvement in skin tension,
- relaxes facial muscles,
- improves the face oval,
- reduces swelling,
- increases skin elasticity,
- eliminates dark circles under the eyes,
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has a beneficial effect on the psyche - it relaxes and evokes positive emotions
Most of these effects are overlapping when using both jade and rose quartz stones. The Gua Sha massage technique is all about achieving holistic benefits regardless of the type of plate.
How long and how often should you do a Gua Sha facial massage?
As we wrote above, it is very important to be fully focused during a facial massage with a Gua Sha plate. More frequent massages mean faster results. It is best to do the massage every day, during your evening and/or morning care. Repeat each movement about 10 times . The whole thing should take about 10-15 minutes . If you do not have that much time, even 5 minutes a day will make a big difference , which you will soon notice yourself.
Tip: Facial massage with a Gua Sha plate will be a great alternative to facial rolling with a special massager. As in this case, store the Gua Sha stone in the refrigerator - cold lymphatic drainage improves blood circulation, brings relief and reduces swelling faster.
Gua Sha Plate - Small Accessory, Big Effects
The phenomenon of facial massage with a natural stone plate is mainly that it can visibly improve the appearance of the face as a substitute for aesthetic medicine. Improved face oval without using a scalpel? Yes, it is possible! Do you use a Gua Sha plate? If so, share your results in the comments. And if not - be sure to introduce this element to your daily care. You will not regret it!
