Massage with stones has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. In the Far East, Gua Sha is used to massage the face as well as the entire body. It has also gained great popularity abroad. It is treated as a complement to daily care. What is Gua Sha and why is it worth using it?

What is gua sha?

Gua Sha is a stone that is interchangeably referred to as tile. Why? This is due to its shape. Literally translated, gua means to scrape/rub and sha means to redden. The meaning of these words speaks directly to what the treatment is about – you rub the skin with a plate, thus stimulating blood circulation and leading to a slight redness. The Gua Sha stone can come in different shapes. The most popular one resembles a heart. Nonetheless, the most important thing is the edges of the plate – they must be perfectly smooth.

Who is gua sha good for?

The Gua Sha plate can be used by anyone of any age. Include it in your skincare rituals when:

  • you notice the first signs of ageing,
  • your skin shows signs of fatigue,
  • your complexion lacks radiance and vitality,
  • you want to improve the skin’s condition,
  • you suffer from facial swelling.

Gua sha results:

Performing a stone massage will affect:

  • relaxation of muscle tension, thus reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles,
  • stimulation of blood and lymph microcirculation,
  • skin oxygenation,
  • reduction of swelling,
  • increase in skin elasticity,
  • improvement of the facial oval,
  • improvement of the absorption of cosmetics,
  • a feeling of relaxation and relief.

How often to use gua sha?

The frequency of the Gua Sha massage depends on its intensity. If it is short and gentle, you can even perform it daily. Its stronger variant should be performed less frequently – 2-3 times a week.

Night skin care routine

Make-up removal

If you wear make-up on your skin, it’s removal will be necessary. Be sure to use a natural make-up remover that will not irritate your skin.

Cleansing

Once you have done a thorough make-up removal, move on to cleansing your skin. For this, gels or foaming cleansers will come in handy to keep you feeling fresh.

Moisturising oil

Once you have cleansed and dried your face, apply the oil. This will ensure that the stone glides smoothly over the skin and no irritation occurs. You can use natural argan oil for the massage, as it is ideal for softening and smoothing, moisturising and lubricating, regenerating and strengthening, as well as macadamia nut oil. The latter contains oleopalmitoleic acid, which slows down the ageing process and reduces existing wrinkles.

Massage

Once your skin is moisturised, you can begin your relaxing ritual. The massage consists of several stages. You can start by massaging the neck and then continue with other parts, such as the jaw, cheeks, eye area and also the forehead.

How to clean your gua sha stone

It is a reusable accessory, so you need to take special care of its hygiene. If you don’t, all sorts of impurities, including microorganisms, can accumulate on the tile. Unfortunately, this is not healthy for your skin and contributes to its deterioration.

Remember that you should wash the stone under running water after every massage. You can use a mild soap or facial cleansing gel. For extra protection, wipe the stone with a cotton pad soaked in disinfectant. Store the stone in a dry and clean place.

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