A Clear Path to Beauty – Gua-Sha contours and refines

A Clear Path to Beauty

WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH

Gua Sha stimulates lymphatic flow and drainage, releasing excess fluids that can cause puffiness and bloating. For a clear, well-functioning system whether you’re working on the face or body this practice can help contour and refine

IMAGES: GETTY AND SUPPLIED We spoke to certified esthetician, Julie Lemke, to get the beginners guide so you can practice at home. What are the benefits of Gua Sha? Facial Gua Sha promotes a healthy flow of lymph, blood and qi, which are all key elements for naturally glowing skin and chiseled cheekbones. It helps to stimulate collagen and elastin production which is essential for bouncy and plump skin. Furthermore, it can help to diminish dark undereye circles, as well as minimise the appearance of your pore size and reduce blackhead activity. Facial Gua Sha can work on completely eliminating superficial fine lines and aid in improving the appearance and depth of wrinkles. It speeds up the natural detoxifying properties of your skin and can help lessen inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea and acne. It is phenomenal at releasing muscle tension – rehydrating connective tissue and giving you a brighter skin tone. Looking below surface level we also need to acknowledge that Facial Gua Sha is a game changer in terms of tension relief, it is simply impossible to feel stressed when you glide the tool over your skin. And being in a relaxed state of mind will help your body to heal and repair better and faster. The benefits are apparent just after one session; however, consistency is key, the more consistent you are the longer the results will last. Are there any specific techniques involved in Gua Sha and what should we watch out for when practicing at home? I frequently get asked, am I doing this incorrectly? Nine times out of ten, I would reply, no, it is not wrong, but the technique is less effective and will not give you the full benefits of what Facial Gua Sha has to offer. In order for Facial Gua Sha to be the most effective one must apply the correct technique. One of the biggest downfalls is forgetting to open the neck, you need to drain the neck before the face to ensure the flow is correct. It is crucial to open the lymphatic pathways and release tension in your neck and shoulder region before moving to the face. That is where the magic happens and where you start to notice a dramatic difference in your skin’s appearance. It is also key to be mindful of not combining pressure and speed at the same time, when the pressure is a bit firmer the movement must be slow. If working on superficial lines releasing and breaking up fascia-adhesions using a friction technique – we can go at a high speed, but the pressure would be the lightest – otherwise you run the risk of bruising. Last but not least, maintaining a 15-degree angle to the surface of the skin, not pulling, but gliding and always having an anchor hand supporting your skin for a gentle pull and stretch when moving your Gua Sha tool. How often do you recommend doing a Gua Sha facial massage and do you suggest visiting a professional practitioner to guide your learning first? I believe it is such an individual thing. However, I would say, just because Facial Gua Sha is good, too much of anything can have the opposite effect. If you’re practicing it too frequently and for longer sessions, you can run the risk of overstimulating your skin, which will counteract the purpose of performing Facial Gua Sha. You can practice Facial Gua Sha daily, however, I do not recommend practicing multiple times in a day, but once a day or a few times weekly is desirable, all depending on how your skin reacts. When working with the Facial Gua Sha technique we are working with the natural healing response in the skin to boost rejuvenation. Being gentle and making sure your skin adapts to this new routine is key for a successful result. I offer one-on-one Gua Sha training simply because it is so much easier to get the technique once it is shown hands on. Having spent several years learning the correct technique myself, I know how confusing it can be to watch a tutorial online. I would say having hands-on training, fused with online tutorials is probably the most effective and quick way to get the technique right. Secondly, social media is flooded with non-licensed professionals giving incorrect advice or showing techniques that are ineffective, which then results in you not achieving the optimal outcome. When is the best time of day to incorporate this into your skincare routine? There is really no best time to practice your Facial Gua Sha, as long as it is done consistently you are good. Finding the best time is so individual. Some of my clients like to use it an unwind ritual in the PM hours to smooth out the day and prep for their nighttime routine. Others may find it incredibly invigorating and awakening, which helps them to drain, contour and depuff their face from a long night of sleep. Gua Sha is also a game changer in contouring your face, before applying makeup. So, grab your tool before a night out and notice how many compliments you will get. Where should we be buying our tools from and which stones do you feel work best for all in terms of their properties? I personally love the FaSha-Gua Sha from Shiffa. The tool is made of clear quartz and has multiple edges to target different concerns and areas on your face, neck and decolletage. The Clear Crystal quartz is known as the “master healer” and can aid in improving your overall skin condition and boost skin immunity. I recommend always buying your Gua Sha from a reliable source to make sure your crystal is authentic and ethically sourced. I am aware that you can probably find some cheap alternatives online on Amazon. However, be aware that those can mimic a crystal but in fact be coloured glass. This is essential as you will hopefully be using the Gua Sha on your skin daily if not weekly, so make sure the stone is of good quality and made by someone who knows the anatomy of the face, to utilize all the effects of what Facial Gua Sha has to offer. This is The Clarity Issue – how do you maintain clarity in your life and work practice? I swear by meditation to keep my mind clear, focused and sane. It is such a simple practice yet so powerful and life changing. My goal is to practice it daily, however, I do not force it and I do not practice full on 45 minutes sessions each day. Meditation for me is about gently tuning in and connecting with yourself. It can be for five or 10 minutes, preferably in the morning to set the baseline for the rest of the day. Taking a quiet space can give you a sense of calmness and awareness even though you are living in a fast-paced lane. I would say the busier I get the more important my meditation practice becomes.