Whenever I travel abroad, I book myself for a facial. Receiving this service allows me to: 1) relax and enjoy it; 2) practice self care; and 3) learn more about another culture's beauty rituals. During a recent facial at Miraval Austin, the facialist introduced me to gua sha.
Gua sha is a healing technique originating in traditional East Asian medicine. It involves the use of a tool, instrument, or smooth stone, to help improve circulation. While guy sha applied to the body may induce bruising (intentionally), when performed on the face, it is a much gentler technique. This form of facial massage uses a jade, rose quartz, amethyst, or other smooth stone is reported to have a number of anti-aging benefits (https://hayoumethod.com/discover-the-power-of-gua-sha-beauty/):
-Younger looking skin;
-Improves circulation;
-Plumper, smoother skin;
-Reduces appearance of wrinkles;
-Increases hydration;
-Stimulates the dermis to support collagen and elastin production;
-Manipulates areas of tension to relax facial muscles;
-Significantly increases blood;
-Aids lymphatic flow;
-Releases congestion and toxicity;
-Soothes sore eyes;
-Unlocks aching jaws and brow from muscle tension.
The aesthetician applied mild pressure in a unidirectional manner in all quadrants of my face, usually along various pressure points and soft-tissue lines. There is a method to it, a concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that is based on the qi system, which is energy or life force. Accordingly, when qi is moved, circulation is increased, thus helping to alleviate a number of symptoms and ailments, and allegedly (read: hopefully) facial lines and sagging!
After my facial, my skin was radiant and actually felt... robust. It felt as if my skin were better hydrated and lifted. While these after-effects were short lived, my practice of nightly gua sha was not.
To your beauty-- inside and out!