Gua sha, or skin scraping, is an ancient Chinese medicine technique that can help treat various ailments. It involves using an instrument such as a piece of jade or gua sha stone to scrape the surface of your skin to stimulate blood flow and remove toxins from your body.

The process is relatively simple and doesn't require any special equipment, but it takes some practice before you get the hang of it. 

The technique, which is thousands of years old, originated in China. Today, gua sha is also a popular treatment in other parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States. This article will explain what gua sha is and how it works. We'll also look at some potential benefits of this ancient treatment method and how to perform a gua sha treatment at home safely.

What Is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha, also known as "coining" or "hacking," is an ancient Chinese medical practice that uses a stone tool to scrape the skin, stimulate blood flow and promote healing. It can be used on the face and body and is particularly effective on congested areas like sinuses or swollen lymph nodes. This treatment is thought to work by stimulating the nervous system, which activates a healing response in the body.

Gua Sha's Ancient Origin

Gua sha originated in China over 700 years ago! The Chinese believed that illness was due to blocked energy flow in the body. To restore balance and prevent illness from occurring in the future, they would rub their bodies with jade or rose quartz stones to loosen any blockages present in the meridians (energy channels) of the body.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a broad-based theory of disease. It does not believe in finding a single cause for an illness but instead believes that disease occurs due to an imbalance of the body's energy.

Gua Sha is one of those techniques used to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities by releasing areas of stagnant energy. In Western medicine, you can compare this technique to deep tissue massage, which has a similar effect to muscle scraping. (loosens muscles through pressure.

The Benefits of Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a safe and effective technique that can aid in treating various ailments. Its benefits include:

 

Reduced pain and inflammation - This is especially helpful for people who have arthritis or other inflammatory conditions like gout. Gua sha helps to reduce the swelling and pain associated with these conditions.

 

Increase collagen production - Collagen is a protein that keeps the skin smooth and supple. As we age, the body produces less and less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging. Gua sha helps stimulate collagen production in the body so that you can maintain a youthful appearance for longer.

 

Relieve stress - Stress can harm your health and mental state. Gua sha can help relieve stress by stimulating blood flow to areas of tension in your body. Research has shown that it can help to reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and boost the immune system.

 

Improve sleep quality - Gua sha is a great way to relax before bedtime. It can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by regulating your body's internal clock.

 

Reduce anxiety - Gua sha helps release endorphins in the brain, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. It also helps to relieve pain and tension in the body, which can decrease feelings of depression.

 

Improve skin tone - Gua sha can improve blood flow to the skin, which helps it look healthier and more vibrant. It can also improve lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling in the body, which can help reduce cellulite's appearance.

 

Improve circulation - Gua sha aids the flow of blood and lymph fluid around your body by stimulating points along the meridians. This improves the health of all organs and tissues and reduces pain or discomfort.

 

Improve muscle tone - Gua sha can improve the tone of your muscles, which will help you to feel more relaxed and less stiff. This is because it improves blood flow to the internal organs, which allows them to work better.

 

Strengthen your facial muscles - Gua sha can strengthen facial muscles by improving blood flow. This will help you to feel more relaxed and less tired.

 

Reduce puffiness around the eyes - Applying pressure around your eyes with a gua sha tool will encourage lymphatic drainage from that area, which helps reduce swelling from puffiness or bruising caused by injury or trauma.

 

Make your complexion smoother, clearer, and more radiant -Gua sha can help improve your skin's texture, making it softer and clearer. It can also help reduce acne and blemishes.

How to Perform a Gua Sha Treatment

Preparing your Gua Sha tools is the first step in performing a gua sha treatment. You will need:

• An oil or balm 
• A Gua Sha tool 
• A towel
• Soft cotton cloth for the face or body
• A moisturizer or aftercare serum

To begin, place the towel on a table or other flat surface. Next, dampen the cotton cloth with hot water and wring it out until it is only slightly moist. Then, apply the night balm to the face or body where you plan to perform the treatment. The balm helps protect against bruising while providing essential comfort during treatment.

Next, take the Gua Sha tool in one hand and place it on the cotton cloth. Use your other hand to gently press down the tool to make contact with your skin. This is especially important for those who have never performed a gua sha treatment before; if you apply too much pressure initially, you can cause bruising or bleeding.

Now that the tool is in place, slowly move it back and forth over the area. Your movements should be deliberate and smooth rather than jerky or sudden. Try not to press too hard; if you do, you may cause bruising or bleeding.

Instead, aim to apply enough pressure, so the tool makes contact with your skin. Once you have finished applying pressure, remove the cloth and any excess oil from your face or body. You can then wash off any remaining residue with warm water or soap.

When you finish, apply an after-care product like our sea buckthorn moisturizer, prebiotic eye serum, and/or night balm.

More Tips for Using a Gua Sha Stone

To use the Gua Sha stone:

• Hold it in one hand and place the other hand on top of it.
• Move from one side of your body to another, applying pressure for no more than 5 minutes at a time.
• Be sure not to apply pressure directly to your eyes or ears.

Gua Sha stones come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they are heavy enough to press firmly into your skin without needing to grip them tightly or exert much effort. The weight of the stone helps ensure that it stays in place while you move across your skin with deliberate strokes (or circles). Stop when you start feeling pain or discomfort while using a Gua Sha stone.

If you feel any numbness or tingling, it's also a sign that you should stop. If there is no pain, but your skin becomes irritated or red, apply a soothing lotion or balm.

Here are some key things to remember when using a Gua Sha stone:

• The strokes should be firm and even in their pressure so as not to cause injury or discomfort.
• Start with a small amount of pressure and gradually increase it until you find what's comfortable for you.
• You should never apply so much pressure that it causes bruising or bleeding, as this can be harmful.
• Once you have rubbed down an area, move on to another part of your body.
• It's best to use a Gua Sha stone on the body when it is dry.
• If your skin is oily or damp, it will be harder for the stone to glide smoothly across your skin.

Jade vs. Rose Quartz Scraping Tool

Choosing between Jade vs. Rose Quartz Gua Sha scraping tool may seem challenging. Both materials are soft enough to scrape away dead and dry skin cells gently, yet hard enough to last a long time. However, there are certain benefits and drawbacks to each type of stone. 

Jade is an excellent choice for people with oily skin, as it is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Jade is also a good material for people prone to acne and breakouts, as it can help reduce inflammation and redness.

Rose quartz, on the other hand, is better for people with dry skin. This stone has a slightly abrasive texture that can help exfoliate dead cells from your face more efficiently than jade does. It can also help reduce inflammation and acne redness, but it may not be as effective as jade. The only disadvantage of rose quartz is that it is softer than jade, which can quickly become dull. This may mean you have to replace your stone sooner than if you had chosen jade.

The best way to find out which stone suits your needs is to test them. If you want to try jade, look for a natural stone with a high-quality finish. This means that it shouldn't have any visible cracks or chips on the surface. It would help if you also looked for a stone with a good weight. This will make it easier to use, and you won't have to worry about accidentally dropping your tool. If you want something more portable than jade, then rose quartz may be an option.

On a more practical level, both types of stone are highly durable and long-lasting. While some stones may be softer or harder than others, they will not wear down over time—even if you use them every single day. The best way to get the most out of your stone is to use it in conjunction with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. This will ensure your skin stays hydrated and protected while promoting healthy cell turnover.

When is the Best Time to Practice Gua Sha?

Gua Sha can be done at any time of day, as long as your skin is clean and dry. It is best done in the morning or evening when the body's energy is most substantial. If you are looking for immediate results from your treatment, then Gua Sha should be done just before bedtime. This will allow your body to rest while it works on healing itself overnight.

Can I Do Gua Sha Twice a Day?

More isn’t always better.

Doing Gua Sha in the morning and at night might irritate your skin or cause additional inflammation. Pick one time per day for your Gua Sha practice and strive to be consistent with your selected time. 

Results to Expect from Gua Sha

The results of Gua Sha vary, but most people experience an improvement in their health. The results can include:

• A reduction in stress and anxiety
• A firmer, more youthful appearance.
• Improved circulation and metabolism
• Pain relief from chronic conditions such as headaches
• Improved sleep
• A reduction in inflammation and swelling
• Reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
• Decrease in pore size
• Reduced puffiness around the eyes and cheeks
• Improved skin tone and elasticity Improved circulation

While you may not experience all of these Gua Sha benefits, most people who try Gua Sha typically see some positive results. The best way to get the most out of your treatment is to do it regularly. You can expect to see results after just one or two sessions.

Final Wisdom

Gua Sha is the ritual for you if you want to get glowing. It's been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, and it's one of the best ways to promote lymphatic drainage, clear your skin, increase blood flow, and boost collagen production. Gua Sha is a safe and effective way to improve your facial appearance by removing your acne, reducing inflammation and puffiness, and enhancing your skin's texture.

Take self-care to a whole new level with Gua Sha. The Gua Sha + Bakuchiol Night Balm Duo has everything you need to get started today.