Step by step guide to gua sha massage

Gua sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation and lymphatic drainage. It also promotes improved skin elasticity over time. The traditional practice is used to address chronic pain and can promote healing and wellness. When performed on the face and body, gua sha can help reduce tension, puffiness, and inflammation, improve skin elasticity and relax tight fascial bands which cause cellulite.

A step-by-step guide to performing a gua sha massage for both face and body:

For the Face:

Cleanse Your Skin: Begin with a clean face. Remove any makeup and cleanse your skin thoroughly to ensure that your gua sha tool glides smoothly.

Apply Oil or Serum: Use a few drops of facial oil or serum on your face to provide enough slip so that the gua sha tool does not pull or tug on your skin.

Hold the Tool Correctly: Hold the gua sha tool with the curved side to your face for your skin therapy. Shape your contours with the gua sha contours. You'll be using a light but firm pressure, being careful not to pull or stretch the skin.

Neck: Start with your neck, as it helps open up the circulation for the rest of the face. With the tool at a 15–30 degree angle to the skin, gently scrape upward from the collarbone to the jawline.

Jawline and Chin: From the middle of the chin, scrape along the jawline to the earlobe. Then, gently massage the tool into the ear to release tension.

Cheeks: Start from the side of the nose and scrape outwards towards the ear. You can use the heart-shaped side of the tool to hug your cheekbone for this motion.

Under-Eye: Very gently, with almost no pressure, scrape from the inner corner of the eye outwards to the temple. Be careful as this area is very delicate.

Eyebrows and Forehead: Glide from the center of the forehead out towards the temples. Then, gently scrape from the eyebrows up to the hairline.

Finish: Repeat each stroke 5-10 times on each side of the face. After finishing, you can smooth a few drops of serum over the face and neck if needed.

For the Body:

Prepare Your Skin: Start with clean skin. Apply the Golden Ester to the area of the body you will be working on to reduce friction.

Hold the Tool: Use the gua sha tool with a firm grip, maintaining a 45-degree angle relative to the skin for larger body areas. Use the curved end for relaxing the tight cellulite fascia.

Limbs: The arms and legs, start from the wrist or ankle and move towards the heart. Use long strokes on the limbs and circular motions on the joints.

Back: If you can reach or have a loving partner help, scrape from the lower back up to the shoulders, following the natural curve of the spine on each side. Do not scrape directly over the spine.

Shoulders and Neck: Use the tool to scrape from the shoulder to the neck, then up and outwards to the sides of the neck.

Abdomen: Use gentle clockwise circular strokes around the belly, being extra gentle around the navel area.

Finish: Repeat each stroke 5-10 times on each area of the body you are working on. After you've completed the gua sha massage, you may want to take a warm bath or shower to help further relax the muscles and enhance circulation.

Post-Massage Care:

Hydrate: It’s important to drink plenty of water after a gua sha session for maximal benefits. It helps flush out any toxins that have been released during the massage.

Rest: If possible, take some time to rest and relax after the massage. This can help your body to heal and rejuvenate.

Skin Care: If you notice any redness or sensitivity after the gua sha massage, pat with a little water or Regeneration serum.

Precautions:

Gua sha is generally considered safe, but it's not for everyone. Avoid gua sha or consult your healthcare provider if you have a medical condition, including but not limited to blood disorders, cancer, or an infection.

If you're pregnant, avoid gua sha on the abdomen and lower back, and consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new massage technique.

Don't apply gua sha to areas of the body with wounds, rashes, infections, or inflammation.

Be gentle with your pressure, especially on the face, to avoid bruising.

The red marks (petechiae) that sometimes appear on the skin after gua sha are considered normal and are often referred to as 'sha'. They typically fade within a few days. However, if you are concerned about bruising or have sensitive skin, you should use very light pressure.

- Stop immediately if the massage causes pain or discomfort.

Gua sha is a part of holistic approach to skincare and works best when combined with other healthy lifestyle practices, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. As with any complementary therapy, individual experiences and benefits vary.