Ever since I resumed taking care of my skin after my 2 year of skincare hiatus, I have been really big on facial massages and massage tools. Back when I was a big time skincare nerd I believed in prevention when it came to anti-aging. Simply put, my aim was to prevent any aging signs before they even appeared. And it actually worked.

But a tough pregnancy and pandemic motherhood later, my skin has lost it’s elasticity. And those aging signs that I worked too hard to prevent appeared before I could realize. When I resumed taking care of my skin, what worked the best to recover some of the lost elasticity was facial yoga. And that’s how I was sucked into the world of facial massage tools.

Among a plethora of massage tool options, what fascinated me the most was Gua Sha. An ancient Chinese Massage tool that had been used to treat ailments for over 700 years. I have been looking to buy one for awhile. And recently, after I received an eye massager with my eye cream order from MCaffeine, I decided to go for their Gua Sha.

I’ll be very honest, when I first received my Gua Sha I let it sit in my dresser drawer for a while, locked, away from the reach of my curious toddler. The reason my compulsive self didn’t jump to use it right away is because I wanted to make sure I did it right. After all it’s an ancient technique that’s been performed by trained professional for centuries.

I read way too many articles and watched way too many videos until I found a routine that worked for me. And most importantly until I thought I have taught myself enough to not mess up my skin.

So…

Everything You Need To Keep In Mind Before Using A Gua Sha

1. Never use it perpendicular. Always use it at 45* and glide it smoothly over your skin.
2. Moisturize your skin well before using your Gua Sha. You can use an oil or a hydrating moisturizer. It’s even better if you can do it after sheet masking.
3. Clean your Gua Sha tools. I always wash it before using and wipe it with a damp towel once I’m done using it. It helps that the Mcaffeine Gua Sha comes with a hygienic storage box.

The Routine:

Clara Gomes (@beautifullyme16) • Instagram photos and videos

So, to start: My Gua Sha Routine is pretty Simple. It takes barely 10 minutes, maybe even less. For all I know, it takes less time than my Facial Yoga Routine. My Gua Sha Routine consists of 5 exercises with 10 repetition on each side. I do it post shower because that’s the time my toddler spends at his grandparent’s. I love doing it in my zen. So on days when he is not visiting his grandparents at noon, I just skip it altogether.

I currently don’t sheet mask every day. So I just put on my toner, essence, serum and lastly my moisturizer before starting my Gua Sha Routine.

1. The first exercise focuses on the laugh line. It’s basically a zigzag motion from the corner of the nose to the corner of the lips. My mom has droopy lip corners and I started noticing mine when I was in my mid twenties. I first started noticing them on my pictures and it made me a bit insecure. You guys have no idea how many otherwise great pictures were never posted on my Instagram or Blog just because of those damn droopy lips. This one exercise helped a lot with the laugh line and I wish I discovered Gua Sha sooner.
2. The second exercise focuses on lifting. It starts from the side of the nose and ends on the lymph node. So it’s basically a lymphatic drainage massage. Simply glide the Gua Sha from the side of your nose at 45* angle. Move to your lymph node and give it a nudge. This exercise helps lift your face and gives you a younger looking face.
3. The third exercise again focuses on the laugh line. Starts from the corner of lips and ends on the lymph node. Thus draining all the tension and toxins from your laugh line to the lymph node.
4. The fourth exercise focuses on the jaw line. Glide the curved edge of the Gua Sha along your jaw line and glide down your neck. This particular exercise feels really, really good. I always have so much tension on my left neck due to having to sleep turning towards my toddler. If I dare roll on the other side, he’ll wake up and literally pull me to turn towards him. As a result I always wake up with a stiff and sore left neck. So when I do this exercise on my left side it feels so good that I get goosebumps when the tension releases. This exercise helps give you a sculpted look.
5. The last exercise focuses on the forehead where the fine lines first appear. This one feels so good and gives an instant relief if you have sinus or headache.

So that’s my very simple and easy Gua Sha Routine that anyone can do. It takes so little of my time, yet I am seeing great difference after I started following this routine. Even after I resumed taking care of my skin, there are phases when I basically go into hibernation. Parenting can sometimes be overwhelming. And there comes some phases when I just don’t feel like juggling anymore. There comes some phases when the 1 hour that I get to myself, I feel like curling up on the bed instead of working or taking care of my skin. And when these phases pass, I wake up from my hibernation to sagging skin. And it amazes me how this one little tool is what it takes to bring my skin back to it’s former glory, that too just within a week.

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