Gua Sha

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese therapy dating back at least 700 years. Despite having
a long history across the East, it is only recently that it has made its way to the West.
“Gua Sha” is thought “to scrape away illness”, as Gua is the Chinese term for rub or
scrape, and Sha refers to an energy within the body that causes excess heat. In ancient
times this technique was considered more of a spiritual practice, in that the combination
of the tools and the movements were able to rid one’s body of blocked “energies” that
were causing the negative effects in the skin and body. Today, in western society, the
concept is more scientific in focus, ridding the body of heat and inflammation.
Gua Sha applied to the face, strategically improves not only ones appearance in the
face, but also hits key meridians and face mapping techniques to improve ones inner
health. That’s why we call it our inside out glow up!

What Are the Benefits of Gua Sha?

Gua Sha carries with it a variety of benefits that affect our face and body in different
ways. A few of these benefits include:
•Balance muscle tension and improve tone
•Keep fascia elastic
•Soften lines and wrinkles
•Activate anti-inflammatory cytokine production
•Align collagen stands unidirectionally
•Stimulate fibroblast cells for collagen synthesis
•Oxidative stress protection
•Increase microcirculation promoting blood flow
•Break up facial adhesions
•Promote lymphatic flow and drainage
•Decrease facial and eye puffiness

Why would I do Gua Sha when there are Injectables and other facials?

With everyone prematurely aging from stress, environmental factors, inflammation, and nutrient depletion, Gua Sha helps to relieve stagnation and tension that could be leading to a more aged appearance. With Botox also leaving areas of the face without movement, the lymphatic channels can get backed up, and blood flow to the area can be decreased. Adding Gua Sha can make your Botox last longer, and compliment it with good skin health practices, or Gua Sha can be an alternative option for those wishing to avoid injectables.

How is Gua Sha Performed?

The Gua Sha technique requires a tool – a firm object possessing smooth, rounded
edges – to use against the skin. After the skin has been prepped and hydrated, the tool
is then used, specifically at a 45-degree angle, to rub a combination of long and short
downward strokes across the skin, at different depth affecting the muscular system,
lymphatic system, and circulatory system, to nourish, tone, and purify. This is done to
bring the heat to the surface of the skin, with the intent of releasing it from the body, as
inflammation and stagnation lead to acne, rosacea, premature aging, eczema, dry skin,
puffiness, congestion, and more.

What is the FACE Flow Facial Experience?

This is our exclusive cellular level facial created by The Skin Saint, that takes this ancient
practice of Chinese Medicine and combines it with modern aesthetics, resulting in an inside
out full beauty glow up. We also have a simplified traditional Gua Sha treatment in our Gua Sha
Glo Facial for those who only wish to experience Gua Sha without any western therapies
combined.

Is Gua Sha Safe?

Of course Gua Sha is safe, but may not be suitable for everybody. If you are
experiencing any of the following, than Gua Sha may not be for you:
• You have recently had surgery
• You are on blood thinners or are prone to blood clots
• You have some sort of medical implant, such as a pacemaker
• You have an open wound or infection

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Am I a candidate for Gua Sha Facial treatment?

You may not get Gua Sha therapy if the following is present:
Botox or fillers within the last 2 weeks
Widespread inflammatory acne
Active dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea
Active skin cancer
Injury to the skin- sunburn, cuts, bruising, ulcerations, lesions
Taking blood thinners or steroid medications
Active infections such as shingles or herpes
Bleeding disorders such as leukemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia
Severe cardiovascular disease.