A Guide to Gua Sha Facial Massages

Sep 27

There are plenty of facial skin care techniques that aren’t common to most people, and gua sha might just be one of them.

If you’ve ever been to the skin care tools section of a store, you may find this small oddly-shaped carved-out stone made from either jade or rose quartz. While it may look like unique decor or a bar of soap with no suds, that is the needed tool for gua sha.

Here is what you need to know.

What is a Gua Sha Facial Massage?

The gua sha facial massage is a Chinese technique meant to relax any stiff muscles and help improve tissue drainage.

Here’s a fun fact: did you know that “gua” means scrape and “sha” means sand?

This involves the use of a gua sha stone, which is a flat, curved, and sometimes grooved stone made from either jade (green) or rose quartz (pink). The difference between the two materials in a practical sense has to do with the sturdiness.

Rose quartz is harder and sturdier, making them harder to reproduce. This explains the price point difference, as Jade has the lower price tag. If it’s your first time, getting a jade stone won’t be too bad.

Though if you’re convinced to include it in the daily self-care routine, investing in a good rose quartz gua sha stone would be a great thing to do.

How Does it Work?

Prepping your Skin

If you have a go-to skin care routine, it is best to do it before the massage. The stone glides much easier after you apply your facial serums than it is on dry skin.

Worry not if you don’t have a set skin care routine, here is a simple guide to help you understand the basic building blocks of a skin care routine.

Get Your Guasha Stone

Once you have your stone ready, you can use an upward motion to help relieve facial tension. Work it through your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and other areas that need the lift.

Depending on the stone you get, the shape can actually help glide through the crevices of your face. Apart from your face, you can also work it through your neck from front to back.

There are several ways to do this, but this tutorial by Tina Engeo helps beginners walk through it with ease.

A Few Tips:

Light pressure is always best
Avoid sensitive areas
Utilize the edges as best as possible
Go in one smooth, straight direction
Do not go back and forth, up and down

What are the Benefits of Gua Sha?

Gua Sha can help relieve tension, reduce puffiness, and lessen sinus pressure. Most experts recommend doing this massage once a day to get the maximum benefits.

Get a Full Facial Treatment at Aloe Beauty Spa

While gua sha is something you can do at home, you probably should get a feel of it first done by someone who knows what they’re doing. Our estheticians at Aloe Beauty Spa provide a relaxing gua sha massage with any of our facial treatments.

So take some time off to unwind in our beauty spa in Scottsdale, and choose from a variety of facials we have for you.

Book your appointment today!