Thus, incorporating gua sha into your self-care routine is a simple way to boost your overall well-being.
What Is Gua Sha?
Gua sha is one of the many modalities found within a 4,000-5,000-year-old indigenous medicine practice that is TCM.
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The practice can be traced back to the Paleolithic Age when it was used for treating various illnesses.
As the cosmetic benefits of Chinese facial tools became more widely known, their popularity spread across East Asia.
Gua sha techniques were handed down within families and among TCM practitioners.
Decades later, the practice made its way to the West, notes Dr. Yang.
Is Gua Sha Really Effective?
Tom Ingegno, DACM, MSOM, LAc.
The benefits of gua sha extend to aspects of mental well-being as well.
Thiele recommends performing facial gua sha daily to mitigate the effects of stress on the facial muscles.
This might involve, for instance, holding less tension or letting go of negative beliefs about our appearances.
Does Gua Sha Actually Change Face Shape?
Gua sha can improve microcirculation andlymphatic drainageto reduce puffiness and enhance skin appearance.
However, I find it difficult to fathom how this can influence the contour of the face, saysDr.
Dev Patel, a certified advanced esthetics practitioner.
Wafaa El Mouhebb, a cosmetic dermatology physician and esthetician.
In many cases, the slimming effect or lifted appearance disappears after 24 hours, notes cosmetic formulatorDr.
Surprisingly, these viral claims about contouring are not rooted in traditional gua sha philosophy either.
Gua sha is not about erasing anything, but actually about embracing everything, she says.
Gua sha is not about erasing anything, but actually about embracing everything.
Do Dermatologists Recommend Gua Sha?
Typically, gua sha is considered safe.
It can be at worst harmful or at best ineffective if done incorrectly, says Thiele.
Next, choose a gua sha tool of your choice.
Any gua sha board that resonates with you is a good place to start, says Dr. Yang.
There is more emphasis on technique than the tool itself, she adds.
Even everyday objects like coins, soup spoons, and mason jar lids can double as gua sha tools.
Anything with a rounded edge will work, says Thiele.
Consider adding gua sha to your morning routine if your goal is to depuff and energize the skin.
For releasing muscle tension and stress, add it to your bedtime routine, recommends AIAM.
Is it OK to Use Gua Sha Every Day?
For example, skin with lesions, cuts, large visible veins, or infections, says Dr. Ingegno.
How Long Does It Take to See Results From Gua Sha?
Gua sha is typically safe and effective for most people.
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