What is Gua Sha? The oldest and wisest beauty tool

BY DR. FRANCESCA ARDIGÒ

Gua Sha: Traditional Chinese Medicine brings the beauty secret of the stars

Gua Sha is an ancient and wise beauty tool of Traditional Chinese Medicine used for thousands of years and, even nowadays, it is indispensable. It is actually an ancient ritual handed down for generations, recently rediscovered, and which the stars can no longer do without. This technique was invented in the East for face and body treatments, with the aim of dissolving tension in the muscles thanks to a lifting action, which gives firmness and luminosity to the skin.

Recognizable thanks to its heart-like shape, the Gua Sha is a face-tool that adapts perfectly to the contours of the face and performs a functional massage with benefits similar to those of a facelift, but without side effects. It also promotes tissue oxygenation, stimulates lymphatic circulation, encourages drainage and makes the skin brighter and more compact, visibly improving its texture.

The reasons that made the Gua Sha the must-have of skin care are many:

It is easy to use;
The effects are immediate;
In addition to the tangible aesthetic benefits, it provides a moment of deep pleasure and relaxation capable of dissolving accumulated muscle tension.

Dedicating a few minutes a day to this massage technique can be a wonderful surprise.

How to use Gua Sha in your beauty routine

Let's find out together how to use Gua Sha in your daily life and make it a precious ally.

One of the questions I am asked most often is "Yes, but when should it be used?".
Highly recommended before special events, actually the effects of the Gua Sha are so important, that making it a daily friend is the right choice. It only takes a few minutes, even just one if you're in a hurry. The important thing is to do it in the morning because it refreshens the face by draining the lymphatic vessels, making you look rested, and in the evening to relax the muscles, apart from the lifting effect which is always present.

“Ok, but how do you use the Gua Sha?”
My advice is to apply a thin layer of cream before performing the massage, to facilitate gliding the tool on the skin and to allow the product to be absorbed more deeply, thanks to the warmth created.
The movement is gentle and begins at the top of the face, following temples and the forehead with movements from the bottom to the top. Continue by massaging the cheeks and cheekbones, using the heart-shaped side of the instrument, passing by the nose. Then move on to the lower third of the face, to the mouth and jaw. In this case the longer side of the Gua Sha is used and the movements must be wider and towards the outside. Trust me, it's a lot easier to do it than to explain. Keep in mind that the massage must always make use of soft and wide movements following the features of the face. Lastly, go down gently onto the neck and décolleté, always moving towards the extremities.

Just a few minutes a day and your face and skin will feel as if they have done a stretching session!

PS: Those who love it also use it all over their bodies. I'm one of them! But how? Always following the lines of the body, starting from the center to the extremities and making soft gliding movements. When it is in your hands, you’ll discover for yourself that the Gua Sha is the most natural and intuitive tool in the world. I'm sure you will love it!