What should you do after Gua Sha? The treatment of Gua Sha consumes body's fluids and heat. Drink moderate amount of water, and rest for at least an hour. Avoid cold shower for 2 hours following completion of therapy, to prevent wind from entering the body through dilated pores.
Always gua sha after showering. If you do want to shower after a gua sha treatment, wait at least two hours afterwards. Gua sha improves and increases circulation, and opens up the flow of energy along your meridian pathways. Hot showers after these sessions will undo the benefits that gua sha provides.
I understand that cupping/gua sha modalities should not be combined with aggressive exfoliation, after getting a sunburn or when I'm hungry or thirsty. I understand that I should avoid exposure to cold/wet/windy weather conditions, hot showers, baths, saunas, hot tubs and aggressive exercise for 4-6 hours.
How do I use gua sha tools? “You can do gua sha on the face, body and scalp, and it's best to use with water (I do it in the shower) or with an oil, but never on bare skin,” says Brindle. “Hold the tool flat to the skin, under the eyes or over any redness, to soothe and de-puff.
No, after gua sha, you do not need to wash your face. Gua sha is actually preferable to scrubbing your face because cleansing our skin removes the natural oils and causes it to become oilier.
With every massage, fine lines are softened, under-eye puffiness is reduced, skin feels firmer, and the complexion looks more glowing. Plus, if you use the Gua Sha regularly (at least two or three times a week, and ideally every day), you'll see results very quickly. An effect on acne.
While gua sha's benefits haven't been clinically studied, practitioners say patients often notice skin looks more lifted after just one session.
Another common mistake that most people make while massaging their face with a gua sha tool is not using it in the right motion or direction. It is important to always pull the tool upwards and outwards on both sides of the face. Never massage the tool downwards on the skin.
"Gua sha is best done after both cleansing the face and applying a moisturizer or facial oil," says Lam, "as the gua massage not only gives your skin a 'workout,' but also helps products' nutrients absorb better into skin."
Using the tool incorrectly can lead to wear and tear of your facial muscles. For the basic Gua Sha stroke, hold the stone so it creates an acute angle with the surface of the skin, somewhere between 15 to 45 degrees.
'To achieve the best results, using a gua sha tool once or twice a day is recommended,' says Ooi. 'Regular use is best for maintaining the benefits long term within the face as stagnated fluid will be removed regularly and the build up over time will be minimal. '
Now you can begin your actual gua sha practice. Holding the tool at a 30 to 45-degree angle, very gently pull/scrape it across your skin. As a rule, all movements should be upward and follow lymphatic flow. Repeat each movement three to five times before moving onto the next area of your skin.
According to Dr. Nazarian, the best method is to use gentle pressure and "apply even strokes against your skin, preferably in the direction of lymphatic flow." “These benefits are often apparent even after the very first gua sha treatment,” says Tobia.
I go for at least 2 glasses of water right after my gua sha ritual. This is essential to promote healthy lymphatic drainage which is what your gua sha facial is all about. Hydrating your body will help it flush any toxins away efficiently via your lymphatic system.
Some important guidelines to remember:
Hold the tool or stone flat and connected to the skin with light to medium pressure. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after gua sha.
Gua Sha has practically no side effects
Since this treatment involves rubbing or scraping of skin with a massage tool, tiny blood vessels present near the surface of the skin can burst. This can sometimes result in skin bruising and minor bleeding. But, these bruises usually disappear within a couple of days.
Can you use gua sha without oil? You can use gua sha with a serum or even a moisturizer, but you need to use it with something. If you don't pair it with a product, it will pull at your skin, which is exactly what you don't want to be doing.
If you are looking to reduce double chin, using gua sha may be helpful for tightening up your neck skin and creating a better pronounced jawline. However, as any beauty procedure, it will be most efficient when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices.
Incorporating gua sha into your morning and/or evening skin care routines is an easy way to make it a consistent practice. According to Chen, doing facial gua sha in the morning can help with “reducing puffiness in the cheeks and under-eyes”, while gua sha at night “promotes relaxation and better sleep.”
If you start to notice a little swelling after using your gua sha, it could be that the lymph might be pooling in that area. Neck work can help keep the lymph moving.
This encourages healthy circulation, releases muscular tension, and promotes lymphatic drainage for a more lifted, less puffy look and brighter, healthier looking skin. We particularly adore its effect on the jawline, where many of us hold tension.
The gua sha massage technique can also help to increase blood supply and help to reduce puffiness and swelling. This may make your face appear temporarily slimmer and improve your complexion.
“Just like your sponges and brushes, gua sha tools can harbor bacteria and dirt, which can cause skin conditions such as sensitivity, irritation, and breakouts.”
Can Gua Sha be used on acne-prone skin? Absolutely. The product that you choose is key for using Gua Sha on acne-prone skin. You have to hydrate and moisturise skin so there's a bit of slip while using the tool.