While most of the beauty industry is focusing on innovative new ingredients and methods, there has recently been a return to more traditional beauty treatments.
One example is gua sha, which is the practice of facial massage with crystal tools. Having been in the skin-improving industry for thousands of years, this trend has only now started flooding Instagram feeds.
"[Gua sha is] traditionally done on the body as a vigorous scraping technique using anything from an antler or horn in its early days, to a jade stone, to porcelain soup spoons when this technique is performed on and by family members," Britta Plug, a holistic skincare expert, said.
Like the jade roller, facial gua sha is a massage technique that is designed to help relieve tension in the facial muscles, encourage lymphatic drainage to banish bloating and boost blood circulation. It even helps break up fascia, which is the connective tissue that hugs muscles and can interfere with circulation, helping to make the face appear temporarily slimmer. Many people also believe it can eliminate headaches, jaw pain and brighten the skin, while others consider it the perfect Botox alternative.
Although similar, there are differences between the jade roller and facial gua sha.
"Facial gua sha is more powerful than a [jade] roller," Plug said. "Once you have the basics down, a gua sha tool becomes like a Swiss Army knife, one tool with a dozen functions and uses. Depending on your pressure, which edge you use, your speed and direction, you can either lift or de-puff, work on surface lines or deep muscular tension."
Most experts recommend taking a class on gua sha before experimenting with it.
"If you're too vigorous, especially where the skin is thinner, like around the eyes, you can bruise," Plug warned. She said it required the correct technique to receive the benefits and avoid mishaps, but it wasn’t common for her students and clients to experience bruising.
For freshening up, gua sha is recommended for use at home two to three times per week on clean, normal skin that has been primed with a moisturiser or serum. For advanced results, Plug said professional help should be sought.
