The Gua Sha Glow 刮痧 Facial Routine

BEAUTY

Apr 4

Written By Jasmine Hunt

THE GUA SHA GLOW

For all the skincare addicts out there, you know we've been on this jade-rolling rollercoaster for a few years now. I purchased my first jade roller in 2014 and I used it as a way to sort of contour out my face and for lymph node drainage. Around that time, I was consuming more alcohol and wanted to detox my skin on the weekends. I believed that a lot of toxins, salt, and water were hanging around in the wrong areas like my jaw line and close to my ears. So I ran my jade over those areas quite often!

But it really seemed like a fad beauty routine and yielded so/so results. The ones I bought also kept breaking! About 3 years ago, I discovered gua sha. I realized that the jade rolling technique was not strong enough [for me]. I needed something a bit more custom and applicable to my facial structure. Plus something that would not break!

Gua sha is a healing technique that originated in asia. When I first learned of this ritual, it reminded me of that "Graston scraping method", only not as harsh. Gua sha helps to release tension, improve blood flow, and drain the lymph nodes.

Lymph drainage is good for the body because it removes toxins. It also helps increase your immune system and it reduces water retention and swelling. Your lymph node system does not have a "Pumping system" like your blood flow. Therefore, it can remain stagnant in the skin until pressure releases it.

From time to time, I still get facial bloating if I intake too many fatty foods or drink liquor! Just to be clear, our face shape is partly genetics [due to our natural bone structure] and partly nutrition. And it also depends on our skincare regimen! Today I'm showing you my technique for healthier skin from the inside out.

To begin, rub a layer of oil over the face. I use almond oil or bio oil. For my gua sha glow, I selected four tools to really provide a deep tissue experience. I went with a pink quartz stone as well because of it's healing properties. There are so many other options out there such as buffalo horn, natural jade, white gemstone, lava rock, black ore, or plastic. Click here to purchase similar tools like the ones I use!

STEP 1: UNDEREYE | FLAT ANGLED ROD

USE THIS TOOL FOR THE UNDEREYE AREA. I START AT THE BRIDGE OF MY NOSE WORKING THE TOOL BACK TOWARDS THE TEMPLE.

STEP 2: HOLLOWS OF THE CHEEK | STRAIGHT ROD

THIS TOOL IS VERY VERSATILE. I PLACE THE HEAVIER EDGE JUST UNDER MY CHEEKBONE AND DRAW IT BACKWARDS TOWARDS MY EAR.

STEP 3: FULL CHEEK | NATURAL WAVE PLATE

IF I HAD TO PICK ONE TOOL FOR TRAVEL, I'D USE MY WAVY PLATE TOOL TO DRAIN MY LYMPH NODES AND CHEEK BONES. I GLIDE THE WAVY SIDE STARTING AT THE MOUTH AND NOSE THEN ACROSS THE CHEEK INTO MY HAIRLINE. FOR STEP 4, I RUN IT UNDER MY JAW LINE FROM CHIN TO EAR. FOR STEP 5, I START AT THE TOP OF MY NECK AND DRAW IT DOWN TO MY CLAVICLE BONE. THIS ENSURES THE FLUID IS DRAINED AND REMOVED AWAY FROM THE FACE.

STEP 4: JAWLINE

STEP 5: NECK

STEP 6: FOREHEAD | MUSHROOM-SHAPED STONE

WITH THIS TINY, UNIQUELY SHAPED STONE, I USE THE SMALLER END FOR GRIP. THEN I GLIDE THE LARGER END ACROSS MY FOREHEAD TO THE TEMPLES. I ALSO USE IT TO IRON OUT THE MUSCLE BETWEEN MY BROWS! GREAT FOR HEADACHE RELIEF!

WILL YOU TRY THE GUA SHA GLOW?

TIPS:

KEEP YOUR GUA SHA TOOLS IN THE FRIDGE FOR A COLD PRESSED MASSAGE.
WRAP YOUR GUA SHA TOOLS INDIVIDUALLY IN A CLOTH IF YOU TRAVEL. YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO BREAK AS THE STONE CAN BE FRAGILE.
ALWAYS APPLY OIL FOR A SMOOTH DRAINAGE.
USE THE TOOLS ON OTHER AREAS LIKE THE BACK OF THE LEGS!