Gua Sha continues to rise in popularity within the skincare scene, with more and more people incorporating it into their daily routines. It’s a form of facial massage that involves gently gliding a smooth stone across the fascia to rejuvenate the skin and give it a lift.
When done correctly, Gua Sha can improve your skin’s health, ease tired facial muscles, relieve stress, and boost your overall mood!
The big question is: how do you properly practice Gua Sha?
To help you out, we’re here to discuss common mistakes to avoid when doing Gua Sha at home to make sure you get the most out of your skincare routine.
1. Applying too much pressure
As a beginner, you might be doing this. Pressing too hard on the facial muscles is one of the most common mistakes when doing Gua Sha.
The first thing you have to know is that Gua Sha should never be painful or uncomfortable in any way. The proper technique is to apply only light to medium pressure while gliding the tool smoothly over your skin to avoid irritation, redness, or injury.
Remember: the key to key to fascia release and lymphatic drainage is to use gentle and rhythmic strokes, not hard and harsh strokes.
2. Moving too quickly
When it comes to Gua Shua, slow and steady is how you should be moving. Moving too fast reduces the efficacy of the massage and can even cause skin irritation and bruising.
This facial massage is most effective when performed with slow, rhythmic, and intentional strokes, helping to alleviate facial stress and tension while stimulating blood circulation. Moving too quickly may cause you to miss areas of the skin or apply uneven pressure.
Try to synchronize your movements with your breathing and embrace the release that comes with each slow, gentle stroke.
3. Ignoring your neck
Any form of facial massage wouldn’t be complete without giving the same amount of love and attention to the neck. That’s because lymph nodes are located on both sides of the neck, serving as critical pathways for lymphatic drainage.
The neck functions as a drain for waste materials from the face, helping to release any tension and increase its blood flow.
One important tip when doing Gua Sha: start with the neck and move downward on each side.
4. Not cleaning your massage tool
One of the most important aspects of Gua Sha is hygiene, so before you apply your massage tool on any part of your face, ensure it has been thoroughly washed and cleaned.
Using a contaminated tool can lead to various skin and health issues. After each use, take the time to clean your tool to prevent the buildup of dirt, germs, and bacteria that could cause skin infections.
Cleaning your Gua Sha tool is easy: rinse it with warm water, wash with a mild soap, and then rinse thoroughly.
5. Not applying serums and oil beforehand
The majority of people who practice Gua Sha at home forget to apply serums or oils before the massage. Since Gua Sha is part of your skincare routine, your face should be hydrated and “slippery” for optimal results.
Before anything else, make sure to cleanse your face and apply a generous layer of serum, oil, or any other skincare product you use to help the massage tool glide smoothly on your face.
If you’re looking for more skincare products to add to your skincare routine, consider checking out Porcelain Skin! We carry all sorts of skincare products for every skin type and concern.
