OILS & GUA SHA Whaaaat?

What is Gua Sha and what does it do?

Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique involving gently gliding, sliding, or scraping the skin with a massage tool used to promote lymphatic drainage,  aid in the removal of toxins & waste from the body, reduce puffiness, and improve skin tone, alleviate muscle tension, reduce pain, reduce inflammation and sinus pressure, stimulate the immune system, and enhance circulation, oxygen & nutrient delivery to tissues, and contribute to overall well-being. Some practitioners believe that gua sha can help balance the bodys energy, known as "qi" or "chi", in traditional Chinese medicine. The therapy is rooted in the concept of maintaining the flow of energy through meridians in the body.

Why I personally love Gua Sha & have it in the shop.... I know so many of you out there suffer from the same issue I have and just need to share! Ive had severe issues with clenching my jaw at night when I sleep, extreme constant facial, neck and facia tension,  but honestly,  since Ive been doing Gua Sha Ive seen and felt the incredible benefits! Especially at the base of my skull and the back of my neck and up to my jaw. ALL of it feels so much better and it's no where near as tense. I don't wake up with headaches when I use it and I feel like I sleep better & wake up feeling more rested and refreshed. It's worth the extra couple minutes in the mornings and at night before bed. My skin tone & complexion look and feel more radiant, healthy and youthful. After about a month of using it every day twice a day, you could see that my face was less swollen and puffy when I didn't even realize it was even that puffy in the first place. It really is a skin enhancing wonder!! Always use a good amount of oil or serum when using the Gua Sha tool. 

OILS are so incredibly beneficial to your skin and are vital for all type of massage. Some of the best oils depending on your skin type are Jojoba Oil, Tamanu Oil, Calendula Oil, Geranium Oil,  Argan Oil, Rosehip Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Marula oil, and Coconut Oil. There’s nothing more luxurious than applying a luscious silky smooth nourishing oil to the skin. Oils are jam packed with skin-nourishing vitamins, nutrients, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants essential for maintaining healthy skin. They promote skin rejuvenation and elasticity, increase collagen production, moisturize and hydrate, fight free radicals, protect against oxidative stress, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and combat signs of aging. Additionally, oils aid in achieving an even skin tone, reducing scars, and improving skin texture, support a healthy skin barrier and provide anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and calm the skin.

some different ways you can incorporate more oils into your skincare routine are: 

1. As a Facial/Body Moisturizer: Apply a few drops to clean, damp skin for hydration. Adjust the amount based on your skin's needs. 

2. Mix in with Moisturizer: Blend a drop or two with your regular moisturizer for added nourishment.

3. Spot Treatment: Target specific areas like dry patches or scars by applying a small amount directly.

4. Oil Cleansing: Use certain oils for cleansing by massaging onto dry skin and then rinsing with warm water.

5. Use as a moisturizing bath oil: Add a few drops to your bath to enrich bath water and or apply to wet damp skin right after bathing. The water assists the oils absorption into the skin. 

Always do a patch test first, and choose oils based on your skin type and concerns. It's also beneficial to incorporate oils into your routine gradually to monitor your skin's response.

 Instructions on how to use Gua Sha: Apply a good amount of facial oil or moisturizer to the area you want to treat. This ensures a nice seamless and gentle gliding action. you don't want the tool to tug on your skin at all. Hold the tool at a slight angle against your skin and glide along the area. If using on face, start at the base of your neck and move tool in gentle but firm upward strokes moving to the jawline working the strokes outward from your chin to your ears and then nose out to cheeks pressing and lightly gliding the tool along your skin. Be gentle around eye areas and work up and out at your brows and forehead focusing on tension areas. Make sure to cleanse the tool after each use. For best results, repeat daily.