In the past two years, the trend has been warming up again. Have you noticed, ladies? Recently, a magical item has appeared on the dressing tables of many female stars – the gua sha board!
From Zhang Yuqi to supermodel Ju Xiaowen, the gua sha board has almost become a must-have for them, used even during face washing and skincare routines~
Even Wu Xin carries a gua sha board on her show, using it during breaks from exercise—the raw gua sha is quite intriguing.
So now, the gua sha board is a fashionable essential for those wanting aslim face and good skin? Let’s explore it together~
Gua Sha, the Magical Eastern Technique
What is facial gua sha?Facial gua sha mainly involves using a gua sha board to stimulate acupoints, promoting blood circulation in the face, thereby achievinglifting of the skin on the face and neck.
There is also this dual-action gua sha…Passed down since the Yuan and Ming dynasties, it is considered a relatively ancient Chinese beauty technique. Why has it suddenly become popular abroad in the past two years? I have no idea. A quick search for gua sha massage immediately reveals countless foreign experts teaching this ancient Chinese art.
⬆️ Looking closely, the shape of the gua sha board is also quite creative.As a true Chinese person,I can still talk about the benefits of facial gua sha:☑️Accelerates skin metabolism,eliminates puffiness, and has a certain cleansing effect on the skin;☑️Unblocks meridians and promotes deep microcirculation of the skin, enhancing overall complexion;☑️Tightens the skin, stimulates acupoints, and activates the skin.
But it’s not without issues!❌Frequent long-term gua sha can lead to damage to the skin’s outer tissue and increase the burden on the body.❌For those with skin diseases,skin inflammation, allergies, or severe acne, gua sha will only worsen the condition.Except for specific instruments (like Refa), gua sha must be paired with moisturizing lotion/essence oil; Wu Xin’s dry face gua sha might just be for the sake of trending.
First, you need a gua sha board
All of these are called gua sha boards🤷♀️
Alright, if you want to start your gua sha journey, you first need to choose a suitable gua sha board!No matter what the gua sha board looks like, there are basically three main types based on material:
✨Animal: sheep horn, cow horn, etc.
🌟Mineral: various natural stones, jade, crystal, gold
✨Technological: microcurrent gua sha boards that integrate beauty device features
🌟Specialized: ceramic
Next,👇 I will share my personal favorites with you~
#1
Water Buffalo Horn Gua Sha Board
Effect: Clears heat, cools the bloodSuitable for skin type: acne-prone skin
The material of water buffalo horn is one of the classic materials for gua sha boards and is the most widely used due to itsaffordability and effectiveness, having the effects of dispersing qi and invigorating blood.Among water buffalo horns, the white water buffalo horn is the most effective. Additionally, be cautious of the authenticity of the gua sha board; the simplest way to identify real water buffalo horn is that it does not generate static electricity~
#2
Bian Stone Gua Sha Board
Effect: Enhances microcirculation upon contact with the skinSuitable for skin type: most skin types
The Bian stone gua sha board differs from others in that it does not require an oily medium but needs a layer of cotton fabric placed above the skin. Through its unique magnetic field effect, it prevents skin sagging and tightens the skin. This type of gua sha board is easy to counterfeit, so be vigilant when purchasing.
#3
Jade Gua Sha Board
Effect: Nourishes yin, replenishes deficient trace elementsSuitable for skin type: most skin types
Jade has always been a highly sought-after beauty material in our country, with the saying that “jade nourishes people.” The jade roller from the Empress Dowager Cixi has always been popular!Using jade as a gua sha board has good effects, but real jade is very expensive & there are many fakes, and it is also very fragile, making it less cost-effective.I think if you have jade pendants or bracelets, there’s no need to buy a gua sha board; you can just use them for gua sha~
#4
Microcurrent Gua Sha Board
Effect: Beauty lifting and tighteningSuitable for skin type: all skin types
Currently, the most well-known microcurrent gua sha board is the Refa, which combines a platinum roller massage with a gua sha board, providing a comfortable experience without pinching the skin.A more affordable option is the Belulu microcurrent gua sha board, which features high-frequency vibrations and a 45-degree warming sensation to enhance the absorption of skincare products.
Let’s Gua Sha~
Next, using Refa as an example, I will demonstrate the daily gua sha steps~First: When gua sha on the face, it is necessary topair it with skincare oil or a creamy moisturizer, and do not apply too much pressure!! The gua sha board should glide smoothly on the skin without feeling rough.
Essential oils can be expensive or inexpensive; just ensure that they do not cause closed comedones after use.I personally use the Sisley Black Rose Facial Oil, which can combat aging and yellowing,and it smells nice, helping me relax.Each time I gua sha, 2 drops are enough for the whole face.
1⃣️ Improve forehead lines and reduce frown linesAction: Massage from the eyebrows upwards, repeating multiple times, applying slight pressure.
2⃣️ Create a small V-shaped faceAction: Pressing against the jawline, lift from the center towards the ears, repeating multiple times. If using a hard gua sha board, do not apply too much pressure as it can easily tug at the skin.
3⃣️ Improve shoulder lines and neck wrinklesAction: Gua sha from top to bottom and left to right, repeating multiple times; this not only changes the lines but also helps relieve shoulder tension.
4⃣️ Eye massageAction: Gently draw an arc from the inner to the outer corner of the eye, similar to the fourth section of eye exercises. You can use a round or finger-shaped gua sha board for this.
Comparing both sides,the lifting and tightening effectis quite noticeable, isn’t it? Ps: For areas with deeper lines, use your hand to smooth the skin while gua sha.Another ps: Because facial skin has relatively fewer meridians, gua shawill not produce the same marks as on the body; at most, it will cause the skin to turn red and warm, but this usually subsides by the next morning~
If you find the gua sha board complicated, you can try ajade/crystal roller, which is easier to use; just roll it upwards during skincare or while applying a mask, which canpromote the absorption of skincare productsand achieve better skin results.
Moreover, jade rollers have smooth curves, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally harming your skin. As for the effect, you should trust that even Empress Dowager Cixi used this, right?~Alright, that’s it for today’s introduction to gua sha. So, do you know how to do facial gua sha? Or do you prefer high-tech beauty devices? Share your thoughts!