Historically, Jade was the primary material used for making Gua Sha stones. However, today there is a diverse range of crystals and gemstones available, each offering unique therapeutic properties and benefits. According to Chinese philosophy, these gemstones help to support Jing Qi (life essence), as well as promote blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. The most commonly used stones today are Jade and Rose Quartz.
TYPE OF GUA SHA STONES
JADE STONE
Jade is a stone that symbolizes wisdom, balance, and peace. It has a calming effect, making it beneficial for irritated skin conditions and helping to relieve stress and anxiety. Jade enhances skin elasticity, promotes lymphatic drainage, and helps prevent wrinkles. Its natural cooling effect counteracts the heat generated during Gua Sha treatments. Many people believe that Jade can balance yin and yang, and it is a versatile stone used for contouring, lifting, and improving skin clarity.
ROSE QUARTZ STONE
Rose Quartz is a soothing stone that works well for sensitive or reactive skin, as well as skin issues like acne and rosacea. It’s also said to activate the heart chakra. Using Rose Quartz correctly is believed to amplify the body’s natural energy flow throughout the day.
WHITE QUARTZ STONE
White/Clear Quartz benefits all systems in the body, and people consider it a primary healer. The stone can absorb, store, release, and regulate energy, making it useful for unblocking energy blockages. It also stimulates the immune system and brings the body back into balance. This crystal is suitable for sensitive skin and has a known benefit for every chakra in the body. Additionally, it can be used to amplify positive energy and intentions, which can be helpful when dealing with negative energy.
AMETHYST STONE
Amethyst stone has numerous detoxifying benefits for the skin. It is a protective stone that enhances the flow of harmony and promotes relaxation by reducing stress. The Amethyst stone eliminates free radicals and toxins from the skin, leaving it fresh and rejuvenated.
BLACK OBSIDIAN STONE
Black Obsidian stone is commonly known as “The Stone of Self-Acceptance”. It’s a highly-regarded protective stone, known for its ability to block, absorb, and transform negative energy. Obsidian is believed to release emotional, physical, and spiritual blockages, drawing out feelings of stress and tension. This powerful grounding stone can quickly block all forms of negativity. Black Obsidian naturally can retain warmth and is great to use on congested, blemish-prone skin. It is also known to increase the absorption of Vitamin C and D.
You can find various shapes and sizes of Gua Sha tools that have various benefits for the face and body.
BENEFITS OF GUA SHA:
- Reduce puffiness in the face by increasing lymphatic drainage – This helps get rid of toxins from the body
- Loosen tight jaw muscles to help with TMJ
- Help with fine lines, sagging skin, and cellulite by helping collagen production – It does not give dramatic results
- Relieve tension headaches and migraines – Gua Sha breaks up muscle adhesions to relieve tension and pain
- Alleviate sinus pressure
- Increase blood circulation and flow to improve complexion and skin tone (acne and dermatitis) – This helps bring oxygen and nutrients to the skin
- Enhance the immune system
- Alleviate anxiety
- Help combat fatigue
- Reduce insomnia
- Perimenopausal symptoms – Women in one study found it helped with mood changes, sleep issues, and hot flashes
WHO SHOULDN’T BE USING GUA SHA TOOLS
There are clients with certain medical conditions or taking certain medications who may not have Gua Sha and should check with their doctors first.
- Bleeding disorders
- Blood thinners
- Circulatory problems
- Diabetes
- Elderly patients with thin skin
- Recent surgery
- Pregnancy or nursing
- Active bacterial or viral infection in the treatment area
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Kidney problems
- Cystic acne
- Skin type prone to scarring or hyperpigmentation
FACIAL ROLLERS
Facial rollers are commonly crafted from materials like Jade or Rose Quartz. They come in various styles, including those with two roller balls or a small rolling pin with rollers of different sizes on each end. Gently massaging your face with a roller can provide numerous benefits for your skin, such as reducing stress and tension, similar to the effects of a body massage. Additionally, face rollers can be made from other materials.
BENEFITS OF FACIAL ROLLERS
- Improves blood circulation in your face. Using a face roller can stimulate blood flow to your face, which may help make your skin look brighter.
- Decreases puffiness. Rolling may also decrease puffiness (like under-eye bags) by stimulating lymphatic drainage, decreases in swelling.
- Facial massage can improve your mood
- Facial massage may enhance the look of skin
- Cools and soothes your skin
- Distributes skin care product
FACIAL CUPPING
Facial Cupping is an alternative therapy that involves using suction cups to stimulate the skin and muscles. The suction created by the cups promotes increased blood circulation, which may help relieve muscle tension, encourage cell repair, and aid in regeneration. It’s also believed to improve the flow of “qi” (pronounced “chee”), a Chinese word for life force. Facial cupping uses smaller and softer cups, which gently pull the skin away from deeper layers of fascia, increasing blood flow and rejuvenating the skin without leaving cup marks like body cups do.
TYPES OF FACIAL CUPPINGS
There are 3 types of cups that are used in facial cupping: Silicone, Plastic and Glass.
SILICONE CUPPING:
If you’re looking for cups that are durable and flexible with a soft material, then a Silicone Cupping set would be a good option. These cups are great for massages that involve a lot of movement and can easily adapt to the contours of your face without falling off. However, one downside to silicone cups is that it can be harder to achieve a high degree of suction.
PLASTIC CUPPING:
Plastic Cups are more flexible and offer a wide range of compression forces and manipulation techniques, without the risk of cracking or shattering like glass cups. The rubbery material makes them easy to grip and move around the body’s surface without slipping unintentionally. They are also durable and easy to disinfect. Plastic Cups are more effective in providing intense suction than Silicone Cups, while also being more durable than Glass Cups.
GLASS CUPPING:
They offer a smooth gliding experience over the skin. These cups are the easiest to use and have a soft rubber bulb that allows you to achieve an intense degree of suction easily. They are smoother and cooler to the touch than plastic cups, which makes them particularly good at relieving pouches under the eyes, relaxing muscles and soothing skin. They also provide the tightest seal, being more rigid and less likely to have any small air leaks around the edges. However, the rigid material means there is potential for scratching, nicking on edges, or even full breakage if dropped or improperly handled.
BENEFITS OF FACIAL CUPPING
Facial Cupping has been shown to:
- Increase oxygen-rich blood circulation
- Strengthen skin and connective tissues
- Stimulate cells responsible for collagen production
- Relax muscle tension
Because of this, the practice can:
- Brighten skin
- Minimize the appearance of scars, fine lines, and wrinkles
- One chin, jawline, neck, and decolletage
- Decrease puffiness
- Regulate oil production
- Improve nutrient delivery and product absorption