Mindful & Calming

Relentless life admin and overwhelm often mean we neglect our self-care. Facial Gua Sha is a meditative and soothing practice with repetitive, tension releasing movements that engage the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system, the ‘rest and digest’ response, calming feelings of stress and anxiety. It is an effective practice for those who hold tension in the neck, jaw and scalp.

You will be surprised at just how much your facial muscles and fascia are constricted when you begin working with a Gua Sha. The jawline, around the mouth, chin and forehead are all areas where you can hone in on ‘crunchies,’ areas of adhesion creating a barrier to optimum circulation beneath the skin.

Improves Skin Function

Gua Sha Facial Fusion encourages flow and movement in the skin. The uni-directional Gua Sha strokes help to release stagnation and accumulation in the channels and bring blood, Qi, fluids and nutrients up into the neck and face. In TCM, the face is viewed as the flower of the body.

The fusion of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) techniques, connective tissue and muscle release with Facial Gua Sha promotes lymph purification, increased circulation and cell activity resulting in more vital, smooth and lifted skin with a reduction of inflammation, puffiness and dark circles.

Further guidance on using your Gua Sha or Facial Massage Tool can be booked in a one to one or group online lesson or find more information and video tips on Instagram. I am always available to answer questions, provide on-going support on tools purchased or suggest resources for Gua Sha you might already own.

Visible Results

The effects of Facial Gua Sha are noticeable even with only 15 minutes of self treatment. You can expect to see a decrease in facial/under eye puffiness, increased blood circulation resulting in a more nourished and even skin tone and a lifted look to the contours of the face.

The benefits of self-treatment are cumulative. Ideally, opt for 3-4 sessions of 15-30 mins per week for maintained results.

It’s not just about what you see in the mirror either, Facial Gua Sha goes beyond skin deep. Being present with the movements and intention of the practice fosters feelings of grounded relaxation and calm.

Facial Gua Sha Self-Care is generally considered safe in pregnancy beyond the first trimester. Use light pressure, do not work on the body and avoid the shoulder line where GB21, an acupressure point contraindicated in pregnancy, is located. All strokes should begin at the base of the neck. Bloodstone Mushrooms are not suitable for use in pregnancy.