Gua sha is a technique for using a pressure-sensitive tool with healing effects. It’s most frequently used as part of traditional Chinese medicine, but it’s gaining popularity in the west as well.
Gua sha can be used to treat many different conditions and symptoms, including sore muscles and joint pain, stress relief, and even acne breakouts.
If you’re interested in trying gua sha at home but aren’t sure how to use it correctly or safely, or how to clean your gua sha facial massage tool after use, keep on reading…
What is a Gua Sha?
This is a facial tool (just like a jade roller) that has been used for centuries. It’s called Gua Sha, which translates to “scraping skin.”
It looks like a small spoon with shallow grooves in the edge, and you use it to gently scrape your face or other parts of your body.
Gua Sha works by applying pressure to specific points on the body to stimulate blood flow and release toxins from those areas (which then helps promote healing) of the facial muscles with gentle pressure.
In some cases, Gua Sha tools and jade rollers can reduce inflammation or bring down swelling if done correctly on injured areas like sprains, bruises and puffy eyes!
Gua Sha can also be used as an alternative treatment method for things like migraine headaches – simply place the gua sha tool against your forehead while lying down, then hold it there until the headache goes away (or until the timer goes off).
You can use a gua sha in your skincare routine, regardless of your skin type, making them a super versatile skincare tool.
What Are The Benefits Of A Gua Sha?
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing treatment that uses firm pressure to improve the flow of qi (chi) and blood.
The gua sha tool is used to apply the pressure to the body, particularly over areas that are tense or painful, even for scar tissue, or delicate areas of the body, like the collar bone.
The healing properties of the gua sha facial massage technique include increased blood flow, improved circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduced inflammation, reduced stiff muscle tension, reduced muscle knots and generally helping with tight muscle tissue.
Gua sha skin tools can help reduce pain, relieve stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, reduce high blood pressure and balance hormones.
Gua sha also helps with detoxification by clearing out toxins within your body’s meridians (energy channels), making it a must-have for all skincare enthusiasts within their skincare regime.
How Do You Choose The Right Gua Sha Tool For You?
There are many different types of gua sha tools on the market, made from a variety of materials. The type of gua sha tool you choose should be based on your personal preferences and needs.
The most common type of gua sha tool is made from nephrite jade (and is popular for jade rolling too), but you can also find them made from rose quartz, amethyst, or even plastic.
Jade is a cool stone that stays cooler longer than other materials, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Rose quartz is a good choice if you want a softer touch, while amethyst is a good choice for its healing properties.
When choosing a gua sha tool, make sure to avoid any that have rough edges, chips or cracks, as these can damage your skin during the massage facial technique.
You should also make sure to clean your gua sha tool before each use, as part of your daily routine, to ensure you keep your healthy skin happy.
How Do I Prep The Skin Before Using My Gua Sha?
Before you start using the Gua Sha tool on your skin, it’s important to make sure that you’ve thoroughly cleaned and prepped your skin.
This is especially true if you are going to be using the Gua Sha tool on sensitive areas of the body, like around your eyes or mouth.
To get started, start by washing your face with warm water and then rinsing off with cold water.
Pat dry with a clean towel and move on to apply whatever moisturizer or facial mask (or both!) works best for you!
Once that’s done, use facial oils or serums as needed to help hydrate your skin further before starting up with guasha massage movements.
How to Clean Your Gua Sha?
Your Gua Sha tool should be cleaned after each use. The best way to clean it is with soap and water, then dried with a clean cloth. You can also use rubbing alcohol to disinfect the tool if you’d like.
To clean your Gua Sha:
- 1. Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- 2. Wet the Gua Sha tool with warm water and add a small amount of mild soap.
- 3. Gently rub the tool all over with your fingers to create a lather from the mild soapy water.
- 4. Rinse the tool off with warm water or hot water and dry it with a clean cloth.
- 5. Repeat these steps as needed until the Gua Sha tool is clean.
- 6. Once the tool is clean, store it in a dry, safe place.
How To Store Your Gua Sha?
Your Gua Sha tool should be stored in a dry, safe place. This will help to keep the tool clean and prevent it from rusting (depending on the material of your gua sha tool).
The best way to store your Gua Sha tool is in a cloth pouch or bag. This will help to protect the tool and keep it clean.
You can also store the Gua Sha tool in a box or on a shelf. When not in use, make sure that the Gua Sha tool is out of reach of children and pets.
Are There Any Risks To Using A Gua Sha?
There are a few risks to using a Gua Sha tool, but they are generally mild and can be avoided by taking some simple precautions.
The most common risk is bruising or skin irritation. This can usually be avoided by using a clean Gua Sha tool and being careful not to apply too much pressure when using the tool.
It’s also important to avoid using the Gua Sha tool on open wounds or broken skin. Doing so could lead to infection.
If you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, or varicose veins, be sure to check with your doctor before using a Gua Sha tool.
In general, Gua Sha is a safe and effective way to improve your health and well-being. However, as with any new treatment, it’s always best to check with your doctor first.
Gua Sha is a safe and effective way to improve your health and well-being. Gua Sha can be used on the face, neck, back, chest, or anywhere else on the body.
It’s important to clean your Gua Sha tool before each use and to avoid using it on broken skin or open wounds.
Gua Sha is a great way to improve circulation and promote healing, so why not give it a try today?
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty. In addition to Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!