What is a Gua Sha Spoon Massage?
Gua Sha (pronounced as gua-sa) is an age old traditional Chinese practice that has only recently begun to trend, thanks to social media! Traditionally, this natural therapy was performed by massaging and scraping the skin to promote circulation, break down scar as well as connective tissues and to treat muscle aches, thereby promoting healing. However, it is not the same when you are using a it for your face, so let us learn how to use a gua sha spoon correctly
How To Use a Gua Sha Spoon
A gua sha spoon is a sculpting tool that helps you target acupressure points along your face and neck to gently release any muscle tension along the jaw and face. Its spoon-like shape helps to target smaller areas as well as harder to reach areas like those around the nose and eyes.
We recently launched Gua Sha Spoons on Skinnrituals and they are designed to precisely target acupressure points across the face and neck. This tool is perfect even for people suffering from acne, as you can easily control movement and maneuverer the gua sha around breakouts and problem areas. The Gua Sha Spoon is also meant for deeper massages and sculpting specific of your face, for example cheekbones and under the chin.
*Use the rounder, flat side of the spoon to target larger areas of the face – cheeks, under the jaw and neck
*Use the base of the spoon around the browbone, between the brows, underneath the eyes and also along the smile lines.
- Start with cleansed skin
- Use an oil or moisturiser to prep your skin. Remember to use enough product to create a slip on the skin so the tool can glide smoothly without any tugging on the skin
- Always support your skin with your fingers
- Always hold the gua sha FLAT against your skin and never at an angle
- Start at the neck and use the rounder, flat side of the gua sha spoon. Lay it flat and glide it in slow, upwards strokes from the base of the neck to your chin. Repeat this 3-5 times for each section. Next, flip the direction and now move the gua sha spoon starting from your chin towards the base of your neck. This ensures that you get the lymphatic drainage going and start to drain toxins down and out.
- Next, focus on the area underneath your chin and along the jawline. Always move slowly and intentionally Smooth, outwards strokes… from the centre of your face outwards.
- Once you reach under the eyes, flip the gua sha spoon and use the smaller side to work underneath and over your eyes. Focus on the acupressure points around the temples, brow bone and on the side of your ears. Use a little bit more pressure to trigger any sore points and drain towards the neck to melt away all the tension.
- Finish your routine by using the larger side once again to gently drain from your forehead to your collarbone.
- Lastly, always remember to be intentional and slow in your gua sha movements. Take a deep breath in and slowly breathe out. Create a tempo and movement synched with your breath and you will notice how it calms your mind and body.
- Remember to hydrate after a gua sha ritual, so sip on some herbal tea or a glass of water
Benefits of Using Gua Sha Spoon
- Improves blood circulation and helps to reduce puffiness
- Aids in lymphatic drainage
- Promotes anti-ageing
- Promotes collagen production
- Perfect tool for those suffering from acne
- Helps ease migraines and open up sinuses
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