Gua sha treatment
Think you need to spend a lot of money on facial or Botox injections to rejuvenate your skin? Think again! “A Gua sha facial treatment – a traditional Chinese massage – can make your skin look younger in six weeks!” says Linda Miles, D.O.M. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine). Try guasha and watch 10 years disappear from your face!
What is gua sha treatment?
Gua sha treatment is a 2,000-year-old Chinese massage technique that uses a flat gua sha tool to apply pressure to the skin to increase circulation as it moves along acupuncture channels,” explains Dr.Miles.
Gua sha tools you already have:
Spoon with a smooth edge, or a smooth shoehorn.
Gua sha tools you can buy:
Spoon shape jade Gua sha tool, $18.50, NaturesOwnStore.com
Cramic Gua sha tool, $7.50, MassageSupplies.com.
Afghanistan jade Gua sha tool, $8.65, GuashaShop.com
Buy online from China $0.63 – $20 s.click.aliexpress.com/e/eqbaaEi
Guasha treatment techniques
1. Cleanse and hydrate!
Wash your face – removing all makeup, dirt and oil – then lightly pat on moisturizer for your skin type. “This is a crucial step because the moisturizer helps the Gua sha tool glide over your skin,” says Dr.Miles.
If your skin is dry:
Apply a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. “Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture in your skin so it looks smooth and supple,” Dr. Miles says.
If your skin is oily:
Look for moisturizer made with tea tree oil. This oil helps fight blemish-causing bacteria and control excess oil.
If your skin is sensitive:
Pat on a pine bark extract moisturizer. Pine bark extract is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that soothes the skin and keeps it from getting irritated.
2. Erase “flown lines”!
Many women shell out big bucks on Botox injections to smooth deep lines along the forehead. “But just in six weeks, this Gua sha movement can tone the muscles on your forehead, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and leaving your skin rejuvenated!” says Dr.Miles.
Youth-boosting Gua sha treatment move:
Place the Gua sha tool at the center of your forehead, near the headline. Using firm yet gentle pressure, move the Gua sha tool down one side of your forehead following the headline. Do the motion 10 times and repeat on the other side.
3. Make your skin glow!
“This movement tones your cheek muscles while increasing blood flow,” says Dr. Miles. The result: radiant, healthy-looking skin!
Youth-boosting move:
Place the Guasha tool at one side of your nose. Follow your cheekbone in a upward arch to the edge of your ear. Do this motion 10 times and repeat on the other side.
How much pressure should you use?
“The pressure should be firm, but gentle. Your skin can get a little rosy – that’s the blood flow increasing – but if it’s uncomfortable, you’re applying too much pressure.
4. Youthify your lips!
“Stroking these areas near your mouth helps erase fine lines around your lips!” Dr. Miles reveals.
Youth-boosting move:
For the upper lip, place Gua sha tool at the Cupid’s bow. Follow your lip line downward, then go up toward your ear. Do the motion 10 times and repeat on the other side. For the lower lip, place Gua sha tool under the center of your lower lip. Follow your lip line upward and move toward your ear. Do the motion 10 times and repeat on the other side.
5. Firm your jawline!
Wish the skin around your chin and neck was tighter? This Gua sha treatment move is for you! “As you glide the Guasha tool along your jawline, you’re toning the muscles in that area of your face,” says Dr. Miles. “It’s really the best way to firm sagging jowls!”
Youth-boosting move:
Place the Gua sha tool under the tip of your chin. Glide the Guasha tool outward to one side until you reach your earlobe. Do the motion 10 times and repeat on the other side.
Tip!
When should you do a Gua sha facial treatment?
“Right before bed,” says Dr. Miles. “Sleep is when your skin rejuvenates itself!”
Gua sha treatment massage lines
