I have to admit, I’m a sucker for perfect-skin influencers, and yes, I have been “sold” on their influence too many times—FAR too many times. You can’t really blame me though. Who doesn’t want that porcelain, smooth, photoshopped, poreless, impossible to achieve, i woke up like dis –skin?
Gua Sha
Gua Sha Facial Tool
I was introduced to this tool a few years ago by a friend who had the most impossibly perfect skin. It looks like a very simple tool, but this tiny tool has many benefits to the body as a whole.
I’ve never heard of Gua Sha being used other than on the face, but it is actually a popular tool that is used on the body called “Scraping.” This technique forms micro-tears to allow skin to heal and repair for healthier and younger-looking skin. You may be left with some redness and bruising, but that is all part of the healing process. Gua Sha Therapy also digs deep into the fascia (the connective tissue just below the skin) that can also aid in fitness recovery.
How is it different being used on the face? The benefits are not all that different, however, the pressure exerted is not as intense since skin on the face is more delicate. You do need to apply some pressure, but not to the point of it being painful. While bruising is normal during body scraping, you shouldn’t bruise during facial therapy. You will notice redness, but this is normal. The redness the result of blood flowing to your skin for better absorption of product and tissue regeneration, as well as aiding in cell-turnover for younger and healthier skin.
Facial Rollers
Quartz Facial Roller
Yes, those rollers. They look so pretty with their gold accents as a beautiful hand held tool against your pretty face. It feels just as nice on your face as on an Instagrammable flatlay. With that said, what does it even do? These facial rollers actually do have a purpose other than looking Instagram-worthy.
- Reduce puffiness
- Stimulate blood flow to the face
- Helps with product absorption
GUA SHA VS. FACIAL ROLLERS
Which is better for your face? They have the same benefits, but at different levels. I don’t think this is a matter of what’s better for your face, but more on what is your preference. For me, I prefer the gua sha because of its aggressive treatment on the face. By age 25, collagen production diminishes and continues to decrease as you get older. I am now 32 years old, and for me, a more aggressive facial therapy is what I feel would work best on my skin to counter the effects of skin aging.
A good friend of mine and aesthetician, Anagrecia (IG: @anagohardo), also prefers the gua sha because it aids better in circulation compared to the roller, which is extremely important for your skin. Aside from its effects on the skin, she notes that, “practicing gua sha will also help you feel more grounded and relaxed.”
She has one of the most perfect skin I’ve seen, so anything she says, I’m all for it! I did have a technique for using my gua sha, but I did consult with her to make sure I was using it properly. Her tips include:
- upward strokes
- start from midline of face towards outer
- symmetry is very important (so number of strokes and pressure should be the same on both sides of the face)
- the outer part of your neck (right under your ear) you should go downward towards your clavicle to drain the lymphatic system
- the middle part of your neck (around the trachea), do a soft brushing upward-downward glide (like painting). Skin sags in this area, so it’s best to stimulate it and promote collagen production.
I do still use my facial roller, but more of a cooling tool for my face because the skin is warm after using the gua sha.
Jade vs. Quartz
I prefer quartz. The characteristics of the quartz allows it to stay cooler longer, which is especially important against warm skin. Jade adapts to its environment quicker and does not stay cool. Jade is also a softer mineral than quartz, so the longevity of its use is diminished from wear and tear.
Have you tried any of these facial tools? What is your favorite and how do you use them?
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I have researched that using it when cool can restrict blood flow, you actually want it warm so encourage blood flow and warmth.
The facial roller is for you whether you’ve never used a facial tool before or if you only have a few minutes to give yourself a short soothing and de-puffing facial massage. When you have a little more time and want to properly shape your face or relieve facial tension, you’ll frequently grab for your body gua sha tool.