This skincare trend is all over Tiktok and Instagram, but surprisingly enough, there are no myths to debunk when it comes to the benefits of Gua Sha for lymphatic drainage. Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing method that dates back to the Paleolithic Age. It consists of a skin massage using a smooth edged handheld tool, usually made from a jade stone or smoothed marble, that pushes lymphatic fluids away from the skin.
Its reason for entering the limelight in the past few years is the ease of use at home. You don’t have to see a professional or specialist in order to use a Gua Sha on yourself, and the benefits have immediate results for skin tightness, blood circulation, and reducing muscle tension.
How to Use
You can find gua sha tools almost anywhere now, and for a spectrum of price points. Amazon has several affordable options, or you can opt for a higher end option from a skincare company. They all essentially do the same work, however.
The first step for an at-home gua sha skincare routine is to apply a serum, oil, or moisturizer to act as a canvas for your tool.
We use a combination of our favorite Disco products, the Repairing Eye Stick and the Hydrating Face Moisturizer.
After cleansing and drying the face, apply a dime sized amount of the Hydrating Face Moisturizer in your palm, and apply all over the face and neck. Infused with Vitamin E, this complexion-boosting formula will naturally condition the skin while protecting against free radicals. The Macadamia Oil and Vitamin C additionally moisturize and brighten with antioxidants.
Next, use your trust Repairing Eye Stick under your eyes. This powerful eye serum allows a moist and smooth surface for the gua sha tool to glide against, and protects against the faces most delicate skin under the eyes.
Using your tool, make long or short scraping motions up and away from the face, pushing lymphatic fluids away. Use firm pressure against the skin without being too forceful. The goal here is to use a “scraping” motion, and feel like you’re massaging your face. Refer to the diagram below for particular areas.
Benefits of Gua Sha Sculpting
You can usually see the benefits of gua sha sculpting immediately. The face is firmer, feels massaged and relieved, and face swelling like puffy under eyes or a puffy jawline, is reduced.
Our body produces interstitial fluid from natural bloating and bodily processes. The gua sha technique promotes lymphatic drainage by stimulating the lymphatic system to release these fluids. Lymphatic drainage can also help with neck pain, back pain and migraine headaches, so it makes the perfect skincare step in your morning routine to start your day off fresh faced and ache-free.
The gua sha technique is known for helping with face swelling, indigestion, puffiness in the eyes, and tightening the jawline and chin. It invigorates our blood circulation, naturally helping with dark circles and under eyes. Some people like to think of it as a natural, holistic form of botox if done correctly and diligently.
You can do an at-home gua sha facial as little or as often as you like. Paired with our favorite Disco products, it will elevate your skincare routine and give you that extra boost of firming and sculpting when you need it.
