This is how you Gua Sha
Imagery: Courtesy of Dollar Hippy Club // @dollarhippyclub
Words: Sarah Tarca // @tarca
Gua Sha / Herbivore Botanicals
Been on instagram lately? If you have, chances are you’ve seen a few (thousand) posts about Gua Sha (pronounced, gwa shah). But this beauty tool is a lot more than a funny sound and a pretty crystal – though it is both those things too. As Chrissy Boddy, founder of Dollar Hippy Club and long time Gua Sha lover says, “This Chinese massage practice that has been around for centuries – the first reports of it date back some 700 years ago in the Ming Dynasty. It has lasted the test of time because of it’s amazing (and instant!) results on the lymphatic and muscular structures of the body.” . Move over, facial rollers, there’s a new tool in town. Here, Chrissy tells us all you need to know about this magical beauty ritual, and most importantly, exactly how to Gua Sha for yourself.
what are the benefits of Gua Sha?
Not only is Gua Sha a potent traditional skincare tool for lymphatic drainage, increased blood flow, muscle stimulation and overall skin health, but the mindfulness element associated with taking a few minutes to massage your face or body helps contribute to your mental (and soulful) health and wellness.
What issues or concerns is Gua Sha especially good for?
Apart from overall health and wellness including the detoxification of our major organs through the stimulation of our body’s meridian lines (which, let’s be real, we can all benefit from), Gua Sha is particularly beneficial for those with any muscular or joint complaints, chronic pain, arthritis and even fibromyalgia. Through the lymphatic draining process and in turn the reduction of inflammation in the body via the action of Gua Sha massage, it can also be greatly beneficial to those who suffer from migraines, breast engorgement while breast feeding and pre-menopausal symptoms.
In regard to outer skin health, the movement of the muscles massaged during the Gua Sha process improves complexion and clarity, and lifts, sculpts and tones the skin. Gua Sha stimulates blood circulation in our skin and this in turn increases collagen production, making it a wonderfully natural alternative to botox. The detoxification also shows up on our skin, and leaves you with a natural, healthy glow.
IS there any difference between a jade Gua Sha and a rose quartz one?
Different crystals carry different properties, which is why we use such a wide range of crystals in our skincare (at Dollar Hippy Club), according to the separate intention behind each product we make (each product has a cleansed and full-moon-charged crystal present within it that aligns with the product). We chose to make a Jade Gua Sha in particular as it is the traditional stone used for centuries. Jade promotes a sense of balance, peace, love and protection. And we couldn’t think of better properties for a tool to be used for the face and body.
How is Gua Sha different to a crystal face roller?
A Gua Sha has similar properties to a crystal face roller, albeit with a more potent effect on the body. The shape of the Gua Sha means we can use it more adaptively for our personal preferences and needs, as well as working with the natural contours and the face. It also means we can control the strength and direction of the tool far easier.
And finally… tell us, is there a ‘right’ way to Gua Sha?
Yes! here are some tips:
Prep your face: Cleansing your face (and hands) before using your Gua Sha is the single most important step to be taken when incorporating the massage tool into your skincare routine. Then it should be used with your favourite facial oil, (we recommend our Miracle Oil), or a moisturiser or gel based mask (something with a bit of “slip”).
Get warmed up: The Gua Sha works best a little warmed up, so after applying your facial skincare, with the product still on your hands, use the excess product and warm the Gua Sha in your hands before using on the face. This gives the tool a nice slip when used on the face.
Go gently: Gua Sha should be used gently to begin with, while your body gets used to the stimulation and feeling of the tool.
Move outwards + upwards: The tool should be held close to the skin, almost parallel. When used on the face, you want to be moving in an outwards motion, towards your hairline, draining the lymph nodes away from your face.
Give your lips some love: It can also be used on the upper lip area to relieve tension which we hold (often unknowingly) around our mouth and jaw – with the added bonus of plumping up our lips!
And don’t forget your body too: Yep, it’s not just a facial tool – it can be used on the body too. On the body, we want to Gua Sha towards the heart, getting the blood circulation flowing and toxins moving around our body to help break them down. In essence we are moving our Chi, or life force energy, which can stagnate in the body.
Three time’s a charm: For each section repeat three times on each side. Make sure your Gua Sha doesn’t “pull” on the skin and is always slippery.
Ready to give Gua Sha a go? Check out Chrissy’s how-to below:
FACE: Keep the tool only slightly angled and almost parallel to the face. Start at the jawline and moved outwards and upwards towards the ears. Then, move to the cheekbones, swiping up towards your hair. A lot of fluid can get stuck underneath the cheekbone, so this is an excellent spot to get some of that moving.
FOREHEAD: Break the forehead into a few sections and move the gua sha from the eyebrows up. For an extra bit of joy, try it across the scalp too.
LIPS: Get into that hidden tension in the lips by moving it in an upwards motion from the upper lip area, and then from underneath your lower lip, move it downwards.
EYES: Your undereye is the most delicate skin of your body – think about that next time you’re rubbing them vigorously. So the key here is to go gently. Start from under the eye in the inner corner and swipe out to the hairline. Then, move to the brow bone sweeping upwards.
NECK: Lastly, give your neck a bit of love. Starting at the bottom of your neck, near your collarbone, sweep gently up towards your chin. Do your neck in three or more sections and repeat the same motion on each.