Cosmetic facial acupuncture is a remarkable facial treatment that we provide in our clinic that offers a real alternative that activates the skin cells, facial muscles, circulation and the lymphatic system. This anti-aging solution leaves your skin tighter, brighter, smoother and younger-looking without “freezing and filling”.
At Health Pointe Jacksonville, we commonly add in facial Gua Sha to our signature treatment and now we’re going to tell you how you can get that same glow at home too!
Benefits of facial Gua Sha
Facial Gua Sha is a quick and easy, yet mindful skin care ritual.
Gua Sha facial treatments, often referred to as ‘botox’ of the East, use a flat, contoured pebble-shaped tool to apply gentle pressure to the curvatures of the skin. It is thought to have the following benefits:
- Stimulates circulation and brings new blood, oxygen and nutrients to the surface
- Brightens complexion
- Releases tension
- Stimulates collagen production
- Increases skin elasticity
- Helps soften fine lines and wrinkles
- Sculpts facial muscles
- Tones and tightens skin
- Aids lymphatic drainage and removal of toxins
- Reduces puffiness
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces appearance of dark circles
Start with picking your tool.
Gua Sha tools come in a variety of shapes, some with deeper grooves or softer curves—choose whatever style feels best to you. Note: Jade is said to be balancing, while obsidian is used for healing and protection.
Begin with a “clean canvas”
Always start each session with a clean face. You can use warm to hot water to clean your face which will help bring circulation to the skin surface. Then apply a thin layer of facial oil to the skin surface. Any facial oil will do, but we suggest finding one that has skin health benefits with minimal toxins such as jojoba oil, rosehip oil, or argan oil. This is an important step so as to have some slip so that the tool can glide over your skin without pulling.
The technique
Holding the tool at a 45-degree angle and using your other hand to keep skin taut, apply light to medium pressure to glide it from the middle of the face toward the hairline. Use the notched end of the tool to massage the fullest parts of the face and the flat end to work on areas where skin is thinner.
Zones: How to Gua Sha the different areas of the face
Neck – Start at the jawline and use gentle downward strokes towards the collar bone to help drain any lymphatic fluid. Repeat this 3-5 times. Alternately, using quick gentle upward stroke from collar bone up to jaw line can increase circulation to the face, lift and tone skin. Repeat 3-5 times.
Jawline, cheeks and chin – Start from the midline of your face and slide the tool away towards the ear following the curve of the cheekbone (use the tool just under the cheekbone) to lift your complexion while firming up your skin. Repeat 5-8 times
Eyes – Easy gentle strokes under the eyes help to reduce puffiness and dark circles, reducing redness. This skin is very sensitive, remember to use very gentle strokes here. Always starting at midline and pulling out towards the ear
Eyebrows – This area holds a ton of tension! To release the tension (great for headaches and sinus pressure too) use horizontal strokes over the brow bone from midline outwards to side of face to smooth wrinkles, lift skin and release tension.
11s– Using the tip of the gua sha tool, rub the tool back and forth like an eraser over the creases in the skin to help release the facial pull causing the 11s to form. Then use an upward stroke from the eyebrows up towards the forehead to lift skin and release tension.
Frequency
For best results, we suggest using your Gua Sha tool 2-3 times each week depending on need and goals. The deeper the lines, the more frequent we suggest per week. The time of day used can provide different benefits too: AM gua sha ritual can reduce facial puffiness and energize the skin. While a PM gua sha ritual is better for relaxing the muscles in the face and releasing tight connective tissue.
Other benefits: headaches and migraine relief
Finally, as well as improving the condition of your skin, Gua Sha is also said to be a useful technique for relieving headaches and migraines. Experts recommend using it to release areas of tension in your jaw, brows, forehead, temples or neck.
About The Author: Julee Miller
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