I’d always considered myself to be in the know about the latest beauty trends. But a few years ago, my best friend told me she started doing gua sha and I had no idea what it was. After she explained it to me, I looked it up online and found lots of videos on how to do it. I learned it had actually been around since the Paleolithic Age, and was making a huge comeback.
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves taking a tool and scraping the skin
Now, I know that doesn’t sound super enticing, but take it from me, the tool against your skin feels so good because of its shape. It’s designed to target muscles in your face and neck, and has a few different edges you can use. It resembles a smooth, very flat stone that’s about the size of a deck of cards.
A lot of people only use it on their face with a good face oil (which is really important to prevent skin tugging), but you can use the tool on your entire body.
My friend told me that when she does it on the regular, she definitely looks younger and her skin looks better. Gua sha has also been known to reduce inflammation and fine lines, and help with muscle and joint pain. This is because the tool gets your bloodstream moving.
Soon after learning about gua sha, my mom was diagnosed with whiplash after a car accident
As a result, she started experiencing chronic headaches. She tried everything: medicine, going to a chiropractor and an osteopath, and getting massages and acupuncture. It wasn’t until she found a video on gua sha and tried it that her pain was finally relieved.
I took that as my sign to try it, and I can’t believe the difference I see in my face — especially under my eyes when I tend to look very puffy and swollen.
At first, I thought this was going to be too much of a commitment – I like to keep my skincare as easy as possible because I can be impatient (not to mention very tired) by the time I do my nighttime skincare routine.
As it turns out, it's hardly a time suck
It only takes a few minutes a day, and I’ve made it a ritual each night. It not only helps my face look less puffy, it’s incredibly relaxing and boosts my mood.
I start by putting my hair up, and applying the oil all over my face and neck. Then, I take the tool and start at my chin, rubbing my skin outward toward my ear and down the edge of my neck, repeating three times. I work through my entire face, and I’m left feeling so good I can’t explain it.
There are also a lot of videos you can find online with different gua sha techniques. A lot of women have found that using the tool with a good oil all over their body — especially around their stomach area — has helped with stretch marks after pregnancy.
Gua sha was one of those things I didn’t try right away because I figured I wouldn’t stick to it and it would take too much time — and now I can't imagine life without it. I can't recommend trying it enough — it’s inexpensive, easy to do, and is an all-natural way to boost your mood and help with your skin’s appearance. After all, what mom couldn't use a quick pick-me-up every day?
