Jo Lehndorf, founder and creator of LOVESKIN, a New Zealand skincare brand specialising in oil-based formulas, shares with Good about all things Guasha, a natural, ancient Chinese skincare method.
What is Guasha?
Guasha, also known as skin scraping, is a traditional Chinese practice of using a tool to apply pressure and ‘scrape’ across the skin. It was designed to move energy or Qi around the body, but it has many physical benefits too, and can be used both on the face and all over the body.
A workout for your face
We all know about the benefits of a work out for the body, but have you ever thought about giving your face some exercise?
The rose quartz guasha helps stimulate facial muscles and circulates blood flow, reduces puffiness and naturally lifts and clears the complexion. As an added bonus, pairing the serum with a guasha tool helps the nutrients penetrate deep into the skin.
First, apply a luxuriously rich serum that is right for your skin tone. Then, taking your stone, work systematically from the top of the left side of your face, down to the jawline, then up from the collarbone, before moving to the right side of your face. Use your guasha in outward motions, working away from the centre line of your face (your nose).
Complete the ritual three times a week for optimal results.
Guasha for the body
Guasha can also be a fantastic technique for increasing blood and energy flow in the body, improving circulation, decreasing inflammation and reducing tension and muscle soreness.
A 2014 study found that guasha improved the range of movement and reduced pain in people who used computers frequently compared with a control group that had no treatment – and after the last two years with people working from home in cramped office set ups, our arms could do with a bit of spoiling!
To use, prepare the skin with a nourishing body oil – my favourite is our Mahana Body Oil. Take your tool and place it on your skin, gliding over the target area with light pressure and going over the area multiple times in the same direction.
Gradually apply more pressure on the tool. If your skin becomes red, don’t panic. This means your body’s blood circulation is increasing, and the redness will diminish over time. You can use this method daily or as often as required to relieve muscle soreness.
You can also try gliding the tool towards the body’s lymph nodes to stimulate lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling in any problem areas.
LOVESKIN are giving away free body guasha stones with orders over $50 for a limited time… just in time for Valentines day!
