First came the crystal revival, with all its holistic healing promises. Bolstered by a wave of approving A-listers (Victoria Beckham reportedly carries a quartz in her bag), the allure of these precious gemstones quickly penetrated the mainstream to become part of our self-care lexicon.

Jade rollers soon followed, purporting skin de-puffing benefits as well as therapeutic appeal. Now, we’ve graduated onto gua sha: an ancient Chinese therapy that’s hard to pronounce (phonetically, it’s gwa-sa), yet surprisingly simple to understand.

So, is gua sha the first form of crystal healing that wellness sceptics can get behind? Here, we speak to the experts to reveal exactly what gua sha is – and how you can reap the benefits.

What is gua sha?

“Gua sha can be literally translated as ‘scraping sand’,” explains Ada Ooi, facialist and founder of 001 Skincare. The technique originates from ancient China, and involves scraping the muscles along the different meridians of the face, using a small, smooth-edged stone.

The intense traditional body treatment, which leaves bold red marks all over the skin, has now evolved into a gentler, therapeutic facial therapy, which is fast gaining traction in the UK and around the World for its purported contour-sculpting benefits.

How does it work?

Image courtesy of Mount Lai

According to Ooi, the firm, sweeping movements used in a gua sha therapy work to boost circulation, which can have multiple benefits for the face.

“When combined with other techniques such as lymphatic drainage, gua sha can also lift the contours of your face, or break down blockages and correct facial asymmetry caused by bad habits and irregular alignment of the body,” she says.

So far, so appealing – but can a gua sha facial massage really live up to such big claims?

Despite the therapy’s ancient origins, modern research does provide plentiful support for its benefits – notably when it comes to muscle recovery, pain management and skin microcirculation.

A recent study revealed that gua-sha therapy increased microcirculation in the skin’s surface fourfold, decreasing muscle tightness and pain. Increased blood flow in the face means a heightened update of nutrients and oxygen, which ultimately shifts toxins and leads to healthier skin.

David Petrusich, head of education at skincare brand Herbivore Botanicals, suggests that myriad skin conditions can be traced back to a stagnant lymphatic flow, because toxins trapped in blocked passageways will move out of the body in other ways. This can result in skin infections and breakouts. “When you can get your lymphatic system moving again, you are allowing potential excess waste lingering in those passageways to flush out.”

So, while claims that gua sha can reduce wrinkles long-term should be met with apprehension, it seems these smooth stones can indeed help to boost blood flow, kick-start a sluggish lymph system – potentially leading to clearer skin – and ease a clenched jaw.

Gua sha or jade roller – which is best?

Of course, if there’s already a jade (or amethyst/rose quartz etc) roller nestled on your skincare shelf, you might be wondering if you really need to invest in a gua sha tool.

According to Petrusich, which one you opt for is simply down to a matter of preference in modality. “The facial roller can be a much more convenient and quick option for stimulating blood flow and draining puffiness, while the gua sha can help the user bring some intuitive flow to their routine, working on a deeper level while spending more time really indulging in the ritual of skincare.”

So, a jade roller makes for a speedy de-puffing tool – especially when fresh from the fridge – but a gua-sha allows for more precision, firmer pressure, and deeper benefits.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5nWAeHBusR/?utm_source=ig_embed

While she agrees that facial rollers offer gentle blood stimulation and massage, Ooi considers them limited when it comes to manipulating face structure. “Gua sha tools have been made in many different shapes, and you can take your pick depending on the results you are looking for,” she says. “For instance, a larger tool with a fan-like shape is best used to target the cheeks. A smaller one with a pointed edge is useful for precision around the eyes and lips.” She also advises running a gua sha around the ears: “The area is rich in meridian points, and it feels absolutely relaxing.”

Ooi herself prefers to work with a heavier stone, as they require less strength for adequate pressure, and can reach deeper into the tissues. “The edges of the stones are an important factor too: a gradually slimmed edge can go under the musculoskeletal structure and offer deeper control,” she says.

Another point to note: a gua sha shouldn’t typically be stored in the fridge, as the aim is to let the blood vessels expand and flow, rather than restrict.

Can I perform a gua sha massage at home?

While gua sha’s intense cheekbone-sharpening effects may be best left to a professional facialist, it’s easy to reap the lymph-boosting benefits of the therapy at home. All you’ll need is a tool – most on the market now are made of rose quartz or jade – and an oil of your choice to layer beneath.

“First of all, do not be intimidated,” says Ooi. “You can barely create ‘sha’ (the red marks) when performing gua sha on the face.” She likens the oxygen-flushed results of an at-home treatment to that of a post-gym glow.

There are an increasing supply of these magical skincare tool in the Malaysian market easily accessible to the beauty community locally. You’ve got Root Remedies–a Kuala Lumpur-based brand that champions the natural skincare game–that sells everything from Gua Sha to Rose Quartz Facial Rollers, and NYC-based Mount Lai that’s readily available at Sephora stores nationwide and on Sephora online.

How often should a gua sha be used?

Young woman have face guasha treatment at asian beauty clinic

The key to seeing results faster is consistency in your practice. Petrusich suggests using your gua sha once a day for two to five minutes, to make the biggest difference over time. “If you’re not able to commit to that time, you’ll still notice a difference – it just might not be as long-lasting,” he says.

From: Harper’s BAZAAR UK