The Gua Sha is a small plate with a smooth edge, used to massage and stimulate points along the meridians and on wrinkles, to help improve circulation and eliminate toxins from the body. There are different shapes and stones of Gua Sha, as well as different techniques.
The Gua Sha technique is different from other methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine: oils and creams are used to enhance its effectiveness and lubricate the skin. Gua Sha is a widely used method to help restore radiance and youthfulness to the face. It helps to amplify the effects of eye or face creams. Gua Sha massage is often practised for facial beauty, focusing mainly on wrinkles, sagging of the face and features, dull complexion, brown spots or age spots, dark circles and bags under the eyes.
Most of the time, there are no marks on the face after treatment; however, in rare cases there may be some redness or rashes as side effects, which disappear within a few days.
Roller and stick massage
The jade roller has been used in China for a very long time. It is used to flatten wrinkles and promote radiance. As the jade roller is traditionally used against wrinkles, it can be alternated with Gua Sha.
Like Gua Sha, the jade roller can follow an acupuncture treatment (or acupressure for those who do not like or are afraid of needles 🙂 or come after a lymphatic drainage of the face and neck.
The roller technique can also use sticks or other semi-precious stones (lithotherapy), which makes it possible to act on the emotions and on the somato-emotional level.
