Just in case you haven’t noticed it in your Instagram feed yet – meet the new Gua Sha beauty tool, consisting of elegantly shaped rose quartz crystals and jade, frequently referred to as a “natural” facelift. The curved, yet smooth device is by no means new – it has been used for centuries. What is it?
The facial gua sha is a device used in a massage technique that can make skin look healthier and brighter, much like the jade roller of years past. The technique promotes natural drainage of the lymph nodes and blood circulation. It refines and contours the face, lifts the skin, improves circulation, and releases muscular tension according to experts. The last one is particularly important because this tension tends to lend an aged, pinched, and angry look.
Beyond brighter skin, gua sha fans also benefit from jaw pain relief and the ability to alleviate headaches.
The Facial Technique
The basic application involves scraping in an upward direction. On the face, the technique involves scraping upwards and outwards in long strokes.
You begin by placing the flat side of the gua sha at the neck base and move upward in 45-degree angle strokes. You can also place the flat side of the device on your chin or shoulder and stroke upward to where your ear meets your jaw. Repeat the steps in an upward motion continually across your face.