A Beginner’s Guide to Gua Sha Facial Massage
Gua Sha is an ancient healing technique within Traditional Chinese Medicine
🍀 Visibly rejuvenates the skin through light pulling + lifting massage motions using a smooth gemstone tool
🍀 Soothes skin conditions
🍀 Relieves stress, headaches and insomnia
The guasha can be a little confusing to start with, but it's actually super simple, easy to travel with and effective.
After getting the hang of it, you will be hooked. Here is a step-by-step guide to gua sha that will simplify the whole process for you!
WHAT IS A GUA SHA?
We have all seen them by now, we know what they look like, but what actually is it? Gua Sha tackles the fascia, a fibroelastic membrane that covers the muscles and is composed of connective tissue rich in collagen fibers. When used on the skin, a Gua Sha tool relieves any blockages in the facial muscles, leading to a more optimal circulation and toxin release. Now for the Gua Sha technique.
Once you try it, you'll realise how beautiful it feels. It helps with swelling and puffiness and gives a beautiful sense of calm. I can't think of a quicker, easier way to have some personal self care time.
SIMPLE GUA SHA METHOD
Don't get overwhelmed by all of the facial massage gua sha tutorials out there, let's keep it super simple. If you're anything like me, time is precious!
THIS IS HOW TO GUA SHA
Get ready: In the evening, I clean my face from the day, use my toning mist and rich night moisturiser to allow the guasha to scrap smoothly over my face. In the morning, I wash my face in the shower with warm water 💦 , then after a mist and light moisturiser, use the guasha.
Next gently stroke: Using your fingers to keep your skin in place on one end and reeeeally light pressure, start on the back of your neck and pull the gua sha stone upward from the base of your neck to your hairline. Working from collarbone to jawbone, continue from the back of your neck to the front.
When you have finished your neck, starting from the midline of your face, working from your chin along the jawline to the bottom of the ear, from the corner of the mouth to the ear, from the bridge of the nose to the top of the ear, from in between the eyebrows to the top of the ear, from the mid-forehead to the side hairline, and the top, middle part of the forehead to the side hairline. Work in outward, light, sweeping motions, going over each area 3-4 times. Repeat on the right side.
To complete: Using the smooth long edge, start from the middle of your forehead and sweep down the side of your face: from your forehead to your cheek to your jaw and down your neck to your collarbone in one soft slow motion, 3-4 times. Repeat on the other side. This helps to drain any excess lymphatic fluid from your face/neck.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GUA SHA TECHNIQUEOnce you become familiar with these lovely movements, keep these guasha tips in mind.
Keep it light and soft. You're beautiful skin is delicate, it doesn't need you scraping hard stone across it. It works BETTER if you are gentle on yourself.
Hold the guasha at an angle, not pushed directly into the skin. This was it glides evenly and smoothly.
Use your fingers on your other hand to gently hold the skin in place and support it.
Which way works best for you? I love turning the guasha to the heart shaped part and putting the larger end underneath my eyebrow and the small on top. Have a play around with what works for you.
Don't irritate more. Before I started using Aussenskin, my skin would regularly break out in dermatitis rashes, they were sore, itchy and tender. If you have any tender areas, be mindful and perhaps miss this area of your skin.
Wiggle it, just a little bit. (🎶 Let me see you wiggle it, just a little bit 🎶 lol). After each sweep, give the guasha a little soft jiggle. Why? Read more here: https://www.aussenskin.com.au/blogs/news/z
Here's a little map to show you how to use the guasha, but experiment with what feels great for you!
Aussenskin makes the best gifts because they come already gift-wrapped in a gorgeous gift bag with navy blue rope ties and 2 satin ribbons. Aussenskin products are skincare for all skin types, especially skincare for sensitive skin.
Try Aussenskin, you'll see they are one of the best Australian skin care products on the market.
