Guasha, also known as gua sha or cupping therapy, is an ancient healing method that involves using your fingers to scrape the top layer of skin off your face. Sounds crazy, right? It may be unorthodox, but it’s one of the most effective ways to treat conditions ranging from acne to wrinkles to chronic pain caused by tension headaches and migraines. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to use gua sha on your face at home!
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua sha, or scraping therapy, is a practice that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other Asian medicine systems for thousands of years. The idea behind gua sha is that when you scrape an area of your body, it stimulates blood flow and removes unhealthy substances in your system. When these substances are removed, healthy skin cells can rise to reveal a healthier complexion.
How It Works
The guasha technique is named after its creator, Chinese doctor Hua Tuo. It uses a scraping action (guasha) on parts of your body, such as your face and hands, to pull down excess skin, improve blood circulation and stimulate energy flow in meridians. When it comes to facial guasha treatments, some people think you should leave it up to a professional; however, using guasha on yourself can be therapeutic and relaxing.
How To Use Gua Sha On Your Face
Chinese facial massage therapy is called gua sha and it’s been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment method for thousands of years. If you’re not familiar with it, you’ve likely seen its results on celebrities or people who have traveled abroad—the benefits are pretty clear!
The concept behind gua sha is simple: using a smooth, rounded object (usually made from jade) that has been warmed by rubbing between your hands, you apply light pressure across your face. This pressure stimulates blood flow and circulation in your skin, which helps remove toxins from clogged pores. It also increases collagen production, which leads to firmer skin that’s less prone to wrinkles and fine lines.
Who Can Benefit From Gua Sha?
Anyone! The beauty of gua sha is that it is a painless, self-treating, non-invasive technique, and it can be done by anyone. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience with acupressure or guasha (though having some knowledge does help). And if you don’t have access to an experienced practitioner nearby, then do not fret. There are plenty of videos online where you can learn how to do guasha on yourself, as well as books that teach various techniques.
Side Effects Of Gua Sha
Though gua sha is generally considered safe, there are some risks associated with treatment. It is important that you notify your practitioner of any medical conditions you may have before undergoing treatment. For example, if you have varicose veins or phlebitis, these could be exacerbated by gua sha. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s recommended that you avoid gua sha altogether as it can cause damage to an unborn child and skin irritation in newborns exposed during breastfeeding.
Gua Sha FAQs
If you want to give yourself a facial massage but aren’t sure where to start, here are some things to keep in mind.
When should I do guasha?: Like all skincare treatments, doing guasha at night before bed is best since your skin has time to rest and heal overnight. It’s also recommended that you avoid doing it right after exfoliating your skin because there may be dead skin cells trapped in your pores which could potentially block them. If your skin feels dry after exfoliation, just use a gentle toner before doing guasha; otherwise, leave your face bare and apply nothing beforehand.
How often should I do guasha?: As often as you like! There is no limit to how many times per week you can perform guasha. However, doing it too frequently might cause redness and irritation, so once or twice a week would be optimal.
How long should each session last?: This will depend on your skin type and condition. For example, if your skin is very sensitive then you may want to start with shorter sessions of 5-10 minutes at first until your skin gets used to it. But if your skin isn’t sensitive then you could go up to 20 minutes or more without any problems. What areas can I do guasha on? You can do guasha all over your face (and body) but here are some suggestions:
How do I know if my guasha tool is working?: The most important thing to remember when using a guasha tool is that there shouldn’t be any pain involved! If you feel uncomfortable or experience pain, stop immediately and try again another time. If it still hurts after several attempts then consider trying a different tool.
How do I clean my guasha tool?: After each use, simply wash your guasha tool with soap and water; don’t use alcohol-based cleaners because they can damage your skin.
Can I use other products in conjunction with guasha?: Yes! Many people combine their facial massage with other skin care treatments such as masks, serums, etc.
What kind of results should I expect from guasha?: Because each person’s skin is different, you may not see immediate results. But over time, your skin will become more and more radiant and youthful-looking.
Is there anything else I need to know about using guasha?: Yes! As with any new skin care treatment, it’s important that you introduce it gradually into your routine so that your skin can adjust. If you notice any redness or irritation after doing a session then take a break for several days before trying again.
