GUA SHA pronounced “Gwah Shah” is of traditional Chinese medicine technique. It uses a series of tools to scrape or rub the skin in order to relieve blood stagnation, or stasis, which refers to when blood does not adequately reach all areas of the body. This lack of blood flow can cause symptoms, such as stiffness, swelling, tightness, or pain. The overall goal of gua sha is to move a person’s qi (chi)—a vital energy that exists in the body, according to Chinese medicine—to release pain or other symptoms.

Modern Facial Gua Sha was born in the 1990s/2000s has adapted into a holistic therapeutic facial massage technique. This natural slow-aging technique uses gentle press-stroking massage movements to stimulate specific energy points along the face and neck to break up stagnation, free toxic-accumulation, promote lymphatic drainage and stimulate the connective tissue and flow of nutrients that feed the skin. By relaxing tension we encourage the skin tissue to settle into their natural space and geography, which allows the skin to function more efficiently all while relaxing the parasympathetic nervous system to rejuvenate and restore vitality.

HISTORY OF GUA SHA

Gua Sha Massage has been widely used by the ancient Chinese for a really long while now as a folk therapy. In the Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644, the procedure was scientifically computed into major medical records. Although, the period of the practice of Gua Sha is assumed to be much older, its first computed record dates back to about 700 years ago during the era of the Ming Dynasty. Historical records on Gua Sha date back to the Paleolithic Age. When people fell ill or entered a coma, hands or stones, as well as household materials such as coins or tins, were used to massage parts of their body to help reduce the side effects and symptoms of their illnesses.

1 - WHAT IS FACIAL GUA SHA?
Facial Gua Sha is a form of gentle massage adapted and rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine technique. Using a flat stone with varied curvatures so it contours the face, specific movements in massage will aid the skin in its natural healing process. Movements are slow, steady strokes with varying different pressure depending on a particular goal. These movements can create lift, tone and brightness in the face almost immediately with enhanced results over time.

2 - WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS OF GUA SHA?
There are amazing benefits to GUA SHA that support our well-being and visible beautifying effects.
Benefits Include: lymphatic drainage, reduction of puffiness, dark circles, reducing tension, brighter complexion, smoothing of deep lines and wrinkles, lift/contouring, increase blood circulation, oxygenation and deeply relaxing stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

3 - IS GUA SHA GOOD FOR WRINKLES AND FINE LINES?
In short, yes! By stimulating blood flow, draining lymphatic fluids, and helping to comb out long-held patterns of facial tension, gua sha facials can absolutely help to soften wrinkles. Here's how it works: Stimulating blood flow has a lot of benefits, particularly for the skin. One happy side effect of facial gua sha is that it can increase collagen production by way of, you guessed it, stimulating blood circulation. Collagen is a protein that our skin naturally makes — it’s the most abundant protein in the body — but production decreases as we age. As it slows down in combination with loss of elasticity our skin will appear more aged. Increasing collagen production creates more plumpness and less gravity-induced sag. Gua sha therapy also manipulates the fascia, muscles, and layers underneath the dermis, which contributes to a sculpted look over time.

4 - CAN GUA SHA HELP WITH BREAKOUTS?
Because gua sha works with the epidermis and dermal layers underneath, it has the potential to help clear chronic blackheads, whiteheads, and prevent hormonal breakouts. Sometimes starting a gua sha practice can aggravate the skin and cause a breakout — this happens and you should know it's a totally normal, common response. It’s like you’re stirring up the debris that’s settled at the bottom of a lake, the debris needs somewhere to go. Up and out! This is part of the detoxification process that can get a little worse before it gets better. That being said, we don't recommend gua sha on skin that’s experiencing inflammation or active breakouts.

5 - CAN I HAVE GUA SHA WITH BOTOX OR FILLERS?
It is recommended to wait at least six weeks from the time your filler or botox has been injected. Gua Sha can cause the body to metabolize filler or botox and there is a risk of moving the injectables to other areas. You may work gently around and below the area of the fillers or injections.