The Nonsurgical Face Lift - Lessons on Gua Sha Facials

By now, I’m pretty sure you know how skin obsessed the team and I are, and the moment we find something that we love and actually works, you know we have to share it with you.

I’m sure you’ve heard some buzz about lymphatic drainage here and there and how great it is to detox your skin and a Gua Sha tool is another thing that can help you. Getting or practicing Gua Sha, whether it’s for your face or body, not only stimulates lymphatic drainage by releasing excess fluids that can make you look inflated or puffy but it also relieves pain and tension, stimulates blood flow which leads to brighter skin and collagen production, contours your cheekbones and jawline, helps depuff your eyes – all while sculpting and lifting your face. Translation? It gives you a nonsurgical face lift that’s perfect for busy bodies like you and me who are always on the go and don’t always have time to always go get a treatment. 

So, do I have your attention now? I thought so.

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What exactly is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese practice used for hundreds of years where the skin is “scraped” to create therapeutic petechiae (bruising) to stimulate blood flow and circulation and loosen blocked chi.

What’s a facial Gua Sha?

The facial massage is an ancient beauty ritual known to promote blood circulation and natural drainage of the lymph nodes, release muscular tension, helps circulation and lift the skin. It helps depuff eyes (hungover skin included), and gives skin an instant facelift. We saw tighter and smoother skin the very next day.

What Skin Types Can Use it?

All Skin Types.

How do you use it?

On a clean, dry face with clean hands, add a hydrating face mist and a generous amount of a face serum (5 pumps or so) before you start and lift in upward motions at a 45-degree angle. For lessons on how to contour your face, see here. Even taking 5 minutes out of your busy day 2-3x a week does a world of a difference. You’ll see and feel the difference.

When to NOT use your Gua Sha tool:

If you have broken skin, sunburns, rashes or blood circulation issues. Remember to always ask your doctor if you have any other concerns!

Benefits:

Aside from all the benefits we listed above (contoured, lifted brows and cheeks, sculpted jawline, etc), Gua Sha not only boosts your collagen and smooths out fine lines, but Jane swears that it lifted and actually cured her puffy skin the next day as well.

If you live in SoCal and looking for a relaxing getaway and bespoke facial, she also recommends going to the Calamigos Spa in Malibu and getting a Gua Sha Temple of Beauty Facial from Odacité – the loveliest non-toxic skincare brand that taught her everything she knows about Gua Sha.

Are you ready to get your nonsurgical face lift on? Does Gua Sha intrigue you? Let us know in the comments below!

Photography by Karla Ticas
Location: Nomad Hotel DTLA