Gua Sha: The Latest Beauty Trend

Gua Sha is one of the latest beauty trends, however, it has been around for over 700 years! It is a traditional form of Asian Medicine that is used to increase blood flow to an area of the body. Recently, it has been used in the beauty industry to reduce aging, but does it really work?

What is it?

The scraping method will increase blood flow to the area which speeds up the healing process. Gua Sha is typically used on the

• Neck
• Back
• Shoulders
• Legs
• Arms
• Face (for facial rejuvenation)

At PIHMA we offer complimentary Gua Sha treatments with an Acupuncture treatment if it is recommended to help your condition. It is not recommended for those whose skin is fragile or in areas that are already bruised or injured.

How Gua Sha is Used in the Beauty Industry

The beauty industry uses Gua Sha to reduce the puffiness of the skin, help your skin relax, and reduce the signs of aging. Beauty experts believe that it can help drain your lymph nodes, remove toxins, and oxygenate your skin cells!

How, may you ask? When you use the proper Gua Sha tools on your face it can create a calming effect on your skin. Similar to how your face feels after a facial, your skin will be refreshed and oxygenated.

Gua Sha on the face will increase blood flow to the area which will give a tightening effect. The scraping massage will also drain the lymph nodes in the face which can help detoxify the skin.

How to Do It Correctly

When using the Gua Sha tool on your face, be sure to apply oil first. It is important to use lubricating oil to prevent friction on the skin. Then, gently scrape in an upward motion along the jawline. Similar to how you would apply blush and bronzer, Gua Sha should be used in the same direction as the skin, finishing in an upward motion to tighten the skin.

Other Conditions Gua Sha Can Help With

Regular treatments, performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist, have been shown to reduce symptoms in patients with the following conditions:

• Hepatitis B
• Migraines
• Neck Pain
• Breast Engorgement (Pain from Breast-Feeding)
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Perimenopausal Syndrome

Healthline states that more research is recommended to further prove that it can help with these conditions. Since Gua Sha is natural and has minimal to no side effects aside from temporary skin discoloration due to blood circulation, it is worth trying if you are experiencing any muscle pain or if you have the above conditions.

Gua Sha at PIHMA

The PIHMA Clinic offers complimentary Gua Sha treatments with an Acupuncture appointment. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please click here.