How to Use Gua Sha Stone and Roller
Looking for a new way to pamper your skin? Gua sha is all the rage. If you’ve ever used a jade roller, then you’re already familiar with the idea behind this practice. While not exactly the same, gua sha stones are used in a similar way to help improve the look and feel of your skin.
Let’s take a closer look at what a gua sha stone is, the benefits of this practice and how to use gua sha stone.
What is Gua Sha Stone?
Gua sha is a skincare practice with roots in Ancient Chinese medicine. It’s used to balance the life force known as qi (the energy that flows through your body). A gua sha stone is used as part of this practice to help restore balance and well-being.
When used properly, gua sha stones can help improve lymphatic drainage, relieve facial tension that contributes to aging and helps lift the face.
Gua sha stones are typically made of quartz or jade, both of which are believed to have therapeutic properties. One side of the stone is tapered to help target areas around the nose and eyes.
These stones are moved in an upward fashion across the skin to help relax tension and promote lymphatic drainage.
Related: 60 Self-Care Instagram Stickers
Gua Sha Stone Benefits
There’s a lot of buzz about gua sha, but this practice and these stones can do more than just give you a glowing complexion – they can also help with migraines and neck pain.
The truth is that most of us hold some sort of tension in our faces, whether it’s clenching our jaws or furrowing our brows. Using a gua sha stone can help relieve this tension, which may reduce migraines and help neck or shoulder pain. In fact, one small study found that gua sha helped relieve pain and even improved range of motion in people with neck and shoulder pain.
A gua sha stone may also:
Give You a More Lifted Appearance
Many people claim that gua sha can help give them a more lifted and defined appearance. The right movements and techniques can help reduce puffiness in the cheeks, which can make your cheekbones look more defined.
To achieve this effect, you need to know how to use gua sha stone and be consistent with this practice.
Improve Circulation
Gua sha stones are moved across the skin in an upward direction, which helps promotes circulation.
Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to keep your organs healthy, and that includes your skin. Poor circulation can cause:
- Blotchiness
- Dryness
- Itchiness
Poor circulation can even make it harder for wounds to heal. But when your circulation is improved, your skin receives the nutrients and oxygen it needs to not only heal but stay hydrated and combat signs of aging.
Promote Lymphatic Drainage
Using a gua sha stone can also help promote lymphatic drainage. Your lymphatic system is a crucial part of your immune system, and its job is to eliminate toxins, fluid and waste from your body.
Obstructions in the lymphatic system make it harder to move fluid from the body and leads to build-up. A gua sha stone facial massage can help remove that blockage and build-up to:
- Reduce dark under-eye circles
- Reduce signs of aging
- Promote cell renewal
- Reduce breakouts
- Reduce edema
Proper lymphatic drainage may also help reduce stress and anxiety.
Help You Relax
The entire practice of using a gua sha stone can help you feel more relaxed and melt away stress. It’s a wonderful form of self-care, and the massaging effect of this practice can help relieve tension you didn’t even know you had.
If you’re looking for a great way to unwind and relax before bed or before you start your day, give gua sha a try.
Which Gua Sha Stone Is Best?
If you want to give gua sha a try, you may be wondering which stone is best. Gua sha stones can come in different shapes, and they can also be made from different materials. It’s important to consider both of these things when choosing a stone.
Type of Stone
Some of the most common materials used to create gua sha stones are:
Jade
Jade is the most common material used to create gua sha stones. In fact, jade is one of the most common materials used in skincare tools period. Why? Because it’s a naturally cool stone, which helps counteract the heat generated by gua sha. The cool temperature can also help with inflammation and rebalancing qi.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is another popular option for gua sha stones because it’s naturally calming. If you have sensitive or reactive skin, this stone may be a great option for you. It’s also a great choice for people with acne and rosacea.
Green Aventurine
Green aventurine is said to promote happiness while helping smooth wrinkles and promoting skin renewal. Its color is similar to jade, and it also offers cooling properties that can help soothe your skin.
Bian Stone
Bian stone is an authentic choice for a gua sha stone material. This stone originates from China in the village of Sibin. This stone has the highest rate of electronic pulses, so it easily resonates with your body. It’s a heavier material, but that weight allows for a deeper massage and greater tension relief.
Amethyst
With its rich purple hue, amethyst is a beautiful choice for a gua sha stone. Amethyst is also believed to have a cooling effect on the skin and may help relieve tension in the face.
Shape
Gua sha stones also come in a variety of shapes, which have different effects when used on the skin. These shapes include:
Concave
Also known as the “dolphin” or “heart” shaped tool, the concave gua sha stone is the most popular shape and the easiest for beginners to use. The heart shape makes it easy to target key areas of tension in the face and neck.
Double Curved
A double-curved or wand-shaped stone has two pointed ends that can be used to target specific areas of tension and pressure points.
Teardrop
A teardrop-shaped stone will have three ridges along one edge and a pointed edge on the opposite end. The smooth edges make this a great tool for alleviating tension across the face and neck. It’s especially good for use along the forehead and cheeks.
Teeth Edge
Gua sha stones with comb teeth edges help massage the face and work really well for reducing fine lines. In addition, the teeth edge creates friction to help smooth the skin and relieve inflammation.
Consider the pros and cons of each shape and material to find the right one for you. Of course, there’s also no harm in trying them all to see which one you prefer.
How To Use Gua Sha Stone on Face
In order to really enjoy the benefits of this practice, you need to know how to use gua sha stone properly. Let’s take a look at how to do gua sha at home.
Gua Sha Stone Directions
Youtuber Gothamista has a great tutorial on how to use gua sha stone on the neck and face. In this tutorial, she uses a concave (heart-shaped) gua sha stone. She even explains how to clean your stone after each session.
Face Massage with Stone
Facial Gua Sha and Acupressure Massage | Gothamista
Gua Sha Stone Before and After
IF you’re interested in giving gua sha a try, you may be wondering how quickly you’ll see results. Many people report seeing a difference immediately.
Just take a look at some of these before and after photos to get an idea of what gua sha can do for you.
How often should you gua sha
Mini Makeup & Cosmetics Fridge | Beauty Fridge Australia
After doing gua sha, many people report that their face looks more lifted, their complexion is glowing and best of all, their face is more relaxed.
Of course, everyone is different, and it may take some time for you to see results. But even if you don’t see dramatic changes to your skin, you will surely have less tension in your face, neck and jaw.
Does Gua Sha Stone Work?
Whether or not gua sha works will depend on your goals and expectations. People claim that gua sha stones can help lift the skin, but don’t expect the same dramatic results as a surgical facelift.
Gua sha stones really do work to improve circulation and relieve tension. They can also help reduce signs of aging. While research is lacking, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that this practice works. People have been doing gua sha for centuries.
The key to success is learning how to use gua sha stone properly and to be consistent with your practice.
Where To Buy Gua Sha Stone
So, where can you get your hands on a gua sha stone? The good news is that they’re easy to find online. You can find quality gua sha stones on Amazon, Sephora, Ulta and even drug stores. Best of all, they’re really affordable, so it’s a great way to take your beauty routine to the next level without breaking the bank.
