Benefits of Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a massage technique using a special tool to promote circulation. This technique can be used on most areas of the body, including thighs, buttocks, belly, breasts, arms, legs, back, neck, and face. The massage technique is performed using smooth, rounded stone tools called scrapers and a massage oil. The tool is gently scraped across the skin repeatedly. However, the sensation can get intense when working out knots underneath the skin. The benefits of Gua Sha are impressive too!

Lymphatic Drainage

Gua Sha stimulates lymphatic drainage. Your lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating waste and maintaining the fluid levels of body tissues. When this technique is applied to the face, you can reduce puffiness, increase tone, and relieve sinus pressure and tension headaches.

Blood Circulation

Gua Sha promotes and improves blood circulation, increasing capillary tone and blood flow to the area where the technique is applied. From the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, Gua Sha stimulates the Tai Yin and Yang Ming meridians to increase blood production and blood flow to the face.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Gua Sha can reduce the appearance of newly formed fine lines and wrinkles. The oil used in Gua Sha can help moisturize and nourish the skin while the physical manipulations of Gua Sha helps smoothen the skin.

Muscle Tension

Gua Sha can ease muscle tension and help break down knots in the body’s muscle tissues. Pockets of lactic and uric acid can be broken down and eliminated using this massage technique to reduce joint and muscle pain.

Facial Sculpting

Gua Sha has been promoted as a way to sculpt the tissues of the face and neck. Prominent TikTokers claim that Gua Sha’s use can help eliminate double-chin and carve out beautiful and well-defined cheeks.

Cellulite

Gua Sha massage can be used to break down the fatty deposits that increase the appearance of cellulite. By breaking up facia adhesions and increasing blood flow to cellulite-prone areas of the thighs and buttocks, circulation is restored to those areas, smoothing the skin and improving tone.

Gua Sha Face Oil

When shopping for or formulating your own Gua Sha facial oil, be sure to choose ingredients that are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and nourishing to the delicate skin of your face. Oils good for Gua Sha massage include rosehip oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, and sweet almond oil.  Don’t forget to patch-test before using a new product.

Gua Sha Body Oil

When formulating a body oil, you can be a bit more liberal with your oil selection. Avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil can make for a great Gua Sha oil blend.

Learning Gua Sha Techniques

If you want to learn how to perform Gua Sha on yourself, there is no shortage of tutorials available online! YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms are filled with creators offering tutorials, but the best place to look to is the professionals. Seek out creators that have background and experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for the safest practices.