About 51% of women consider getting cosmetic enhancements, like botox, at some point in their lives. But what if you didn't have to?
What if you could reap the same anti-ageing benefits as botox, but in your own home? The Gua Sha stone, a tool used in traditional Chinese medicine, can help you do just that.
Read on for our guide on the Gua Sha stone and the benefits it can bring to your face care routine.
What is a Gua Sha Stone?
It's a beauty tool that looks like a smooth, flat stone. It has certain curves and grooves since it's used for massaging the face. These different shapes help make it better suited for gliding along the skin.
These tools can be made of different types of stone, including jade, quartz, or even obsidian, like the SAUNAPOD Obsidian Gua Sha Tool. You can find plastic models, too, but the stone Gua Sha tools are the most traditional.
The History of Gua Sha
The Gua Sha tool dates back to ancient China, and it's been a component of facial care for centuries. The origin of this technique focuses on balancing your energy, specifically your qi. In ancient Chinese medicine, qi is the energy that flows throughout your body.
The idea is that if qi becomes stagnant, or stops flowing, it can cause certain health problems. In using Gua Sha stones, many people believe that it can help restore the balance to your energy by improving the flow of qi and therefore improve your health and wellbeing as well.
The Benefits of Gua Sha
Using a Gua Sha stone to massage your face regularly can have a number of benefits, including anti-ageing effects. It can help improve circulation, brighten and tone the skin, stimulate collagen production, and aid lymphatic drainage.
The tapered edges of the stone help you use it around your eyes, near your nose, and along the lines of your jaw. These scraping motions help tighten the skin to improve the appearance of your cheekbones. When used gently around your eyes, Gua Sha stones can also help reduce under-eye bags and puffiness.
In addition to helping boost the appearance of your skin and relieve muscle tension, Gua Sha face care can help drain your lymphatic system. This is the system in your body responsible for processing waste and toxins. Helping move those things along with Gua Sha will help you feel better overall.
How to Use a Gua Sha Tool
It might seem simple, but there is a certain practice to using your Gua Sha stone. You should make sure that you're getting the right angle and using the right amount of pressure for your face.
Start with your normal skincare routine: cleanse, moisturize, etc. Then, keeping the stone parallel to your face and neck, apply even pressure and scrape upwards. Start at the bottom of your neck, then move up to your face.
For each area you tackle, make sure to complete the swooping, scraping motion between 3 and 10 times.
Kick Botox to the Curb
Now that you know all about the Gua Sha stone, you can start incorporating it into your own home face care routine. When used regularly, it can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of ageing.
SAUNAPOD offers more than just products for your face and body. If you're interested in other treatments, explore our services and treat yourself to some extra care.