How to do gouache massage correctly for those who like to take care of themselves and others

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Everything you need to know about one of the most popular beauty practices of recent years.

What is gouache massage and where did it come from

Guasha is a traditional Chinese massage technique for the face and body. It is made using smooth, hard plates of stone and other materials. The instrument is pressed on the skin and scraped over it to increase blood circulation and relax the muscles.

The first mentions of gouache appeared in Ancient Chinese medical treatment leaves lasting impressions in the Paleolithic era, when people rubbed body parts with stones to relieve pain. During the Ming Dynasty, the practice became widely used by ancient Chinese physicians. The massage was done for heatstrokes, headaches and fever. Moreover, for the procedure, they often took not special plates, but improvised objects with a smooth surface: coins and spoons.

With the spread of more modern remedies for fainting and colds, the gua sha technique was forgotten for a while. But a few years ago, the Asian skincare trend was superimposed on a growing interest in spiritual practices like meditation and crystal use, and thousands of videos of unusual facial massage flooded social media. The ancient method of treatment has turned into an up-to-date beauty ritual, which has been to the liking of top models and Hollywood stars.

How can a gua sha massage be useful?

Fans of this oriental practice consider What is gua sha? The trendy skin care tool dominating Instagram, explained that after the massage, the facial skin becomes tighter, smoother and more radiant. And because of the increased blood circulation in the dermis, the aging process supposedly slows down.

Not all experts share the rave reviews for gua sha. For example, Paula Begoun, a well-known cosmetic brand founder and journalist in the United States, speaks rather harshly in her interview with Jade Rollers, Sheet Masks And More, Paula Begoun Tells You What Really Works For Your Skin about massage, noting that the harm from it is often more than good. … At the same time, some dermatologists confirm How a Gua Sha Facial Massage Could Benefit Your Skin, According to Dermatologists, that massage can relieve slight facial swelling and enhance the effect of skin care cosmetics. At the same time, both sides agree that definitive conclusions about guache should not be made as long as there are few serious scientific works on this topic.

Gua sha supporters most often refer to the article The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in healthy subjects by American and German doctors. In 2007, scientists conducted a study and found that the Chinese massage technique actually improves blood microcirculation in the upper layers of the skin. True, only 11 people participated in the experiment, and they massaged not their face, but their back.

For dermatologists, the effectiveness of guache as a cosmetic procedure remains highly controversial. But in treating some ailments, a properly performed body massage can potentially be beneficial. For example, when combined with traditional therapy, it alleviates Effect of Gua sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: a randomized controlled trial symptoms of menopause. Chinese doctors came to this conclusion after conducting a randomized controlled trial in 80 women.

In 2017, scientists from Germany found that the procedure does not cause serious side effects and can relieve Gua Sha therapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial, the general condition of chronic low back pain. A clinical study conducted in a group of 48 people showed the Effectiveness of traditional Chinese "gua sha" therapy in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial that gua sha can reduce the discomfort of chronic neck pain in the short term.

Doctors from China suggest Guasha improves the rating of perceived exertion scale score and reduces heart rate variability in male weightlifters: a randomized controlled trial to use guasha as an alternative method for muscle recovery after exercise. But more research is needed to test this theory.

It is important to remember that experts only consider gua sha massage as a possible addition to the main treatment.

Someone loves gouache not for the guaranteed result, but because of the relaxing process of execution. So if the correct technique is followed and there are no contraindications, massage, if it does not rejuvenate, will become a pleasant ritual of self-care.

When you shouldn't do a gua sha massage

Gouache, like any massage, has a number of contraindications. It is worth postponing the procedure for Provide facial skin care treatment for people:

• with bacterial, viral and fungal skin infections;
• with conjunctivitis and eye infections;
• with acne and sores on the skin;
• with psoriasis and eczema;
• with hyperkeratosis;
• with fresh skin lesions - scratches, bruises and abrasions.

You also need to refuse facial massage if you have injected fillers into your skin or underwent cosmetic surgery.

If you have sensitive or problem skin, consult a dermatologist to see if a gua sha session would be of benefit to you.

What you need for a gua sha massage

Guache plate

Select the shape and size of the plate for the type of massage that you plan to do. For the face, small tools in the form of a rectangle or a comb with two protrusions are suitable. They are comfortable to hold in your hands, and the recess is convenient for working out the chin and other small relief areas. For the body, it is better to purchase wide S-shaped instruments or wing-shaped scrapers.

Most often, plates are made from minerals and rocks: jade, rose quartz, obsidian and agate. But you can also find tools made of horn, metal and wood. It is believed that each material has its own special energy. If you do not believe in it, you can purchase a plate, just focusing on your taste and wallet. For beginners, it's best to take a closer look at plastic and resin. Massage with such scrapers turns out to be more delicate, and it is almost impossible to break them.

What to buy

• Jade plate in the shape of a heart from Holy Skin, 890 rubles →
• A set of a plate in the form of a heart and a double roller made of jade from Marbella, 2 990 rubles →
• Jade plate in the form of a foot from Marbella, 1,490 rubles →
• Amethyst plate in the form of a paw from RAFECOFF, 949 rubles →
• Glass plate in the form of a paw from OptoWeek, 325 rubles →
• Rose quartz butterfly plate from Bloor, 1,790 rubles →
• Plate in the shape of a fish made of rose quartz from Bloor, 1,290 rubles →
• Steel plate with a hole in the middle from BlackTouch, 2 649 rubles →

Butter

To make the procedure more enjoyable, do not massage on dry skin. Use cosmetic oils or serums based on them. Do not apply on your face (for the skin of the body it is not so scary) ordinary massage oil, and even more so vegetable oil for cooking, if you do not want to clog pores and get irritated.

If you don't have the right product on hand, grab some regular nourishing face cream.

What to buy

• Oil for face, body and hair from Nuxe, 1 999 rubles →
• Emulsion for the face with blue orchid oil from Clarins, 3 450 rubles →
• Elfarma cosmetic oil with mint, 76 rubles →
• Lemon oil for the face from "Botanica", 83 rubles →
• Almond oil for the face from Weleda, 1,510 rubles →

How to prepare for a gouache massage

Cleanse your skin

Wash your face with warm water and a mild cleanser to avoid rubbing dust and other impurities from your face with the plate.

On the skin of the body, you can lightly walk with a brush or washcloth. Substitute with a mild scrub if desired.

Moisturize your skin

This is to make it soft and pliable. This will make it easier to massage, and the radiance effect after the procedure will become more noticeable.

To moisturize your skin, apply your favorite product to your face after washing. It can be toner, emulsion, or light cream. The main thing is that the composition does not contain alcohol and aggressive components like retinol and acids. Apply with light patting movements all over the face. If you have dry skin, use 2-3 coats.

If you are massaging your body, use any moisturizing product of your choice, or skip this step altogether.

Apply oil

When the toner or cream has been absorbed, apply oil to the skin. It will take quite a bit: 3-4 drops are enough for the face and neck; for the back, legs and arms, increase this portion by 1½ – 2 times. Rub the oil between your palms and spread it over the skin in a very thin layer.

Remember a few rules

• Do not hold the plate perpendicular to the skin. The tool should practically lie on it and form an angle of 15–20 degrees.
• Do not apply too much pressure to avoid bruising your face and body.
• No need to drive the plate back and forth. Movements should always be in the same direction. If you are massaging your face, guide the plate from its center to the edges.
• After the massage, red marks may appear on the back and other parts of the body. They occur due to damage to the capillaries and look quite frightening, but they do not always mean that the procedure was painful or was carried out incorrectly. Such marks usually disappear in 2-3 days. Keep this in mind when choosing the time for the gua sha.

How to do guasha face massage

The face can be massaged both for yourself and for someone else.

Start at the chin

Divide your face into two parts mentally. Place the plate against the center of the chin so that it rests in the groove on it. Using light pressure, slide the instrument towards your ear in one motion. Hold the skin with your free hand so that it does not stretch. Stop at your ear and shake the plate slightly. Repeat 5-7 times.

Move to the cheek

Place the wide edge of the plate against the wing of the nose. Hold the skin with your fingers and slide the plate towards the hairline. When you get to it, stop and shake the plate. Repeat 5-7 times.

Work the area around the eye

The skin is especially delicate here, so all movements should be very soft, with little or no pressure. First, gently press your finger against the inner corner of your eye. Draw the protrusion of the plate from it to the temple. Repeat 3-4 times.

Now move on to the upper eyelid and eyebrows. Place the plate at the bridge of the nose so that its indentation lies at the beginning of the brow arch. Move gently towards the hairline, stop and shake the instrument. Repeat 3-4 times.

Massage your forehead

Hold the skin at the eyebrow and draw the wide edge of the tool from its beginning up to the forehead. Stop and shake the plate. Repeat 5-7 times.

Take care of the center of your forehead. Place the straight part of the plate at the bridge of the nose and, holding the skin, rise up. Shake the instrument. Repeat the movements 5-7 times.

Move to the second part of the face

Proceed in the same way: start at the chin, switch to the cheek and eye area, and finish with a forehead massage.

How to do gouache neck massage

This massage can be done to yourself and to another person.

Start at the back of your neck

Lift your hair. Place the plate with its indentation on the vertebra at the base of the neck. While pressing, move up to the hairline, stop and shake the instrument. Repeat 5-7 times.

Walk over the shoulders and side of the neck

Place the plate with the wide edge on your shoulder. Move up your neck to your ear. Stop and massage the area behind him. Repeat 5-7 times. Work the second shoulder in the same way.

Additionally massage your shoulders if you feel tension in them. Place the indentation of the plate on the edge of the shoulder and, applying pressure, move towards the neck. Repeat 3-4 times.

Massage the front of your neck

Tilt your head back a little and lay the wide edge of the plate parallel to the collarbone. Lift up to your chin. Stop and shake the instrument a little. Avoid the thyroid zone if you have a thyroid problem. Repeat the movements 5-7 times.

How to do gouache hand massage

Massage yourself or someone else.

Pay attention to your palms and fingers

To loosen up your hand, slide the wide edge of the plate along the inside of your palm. Increase the pressure slightly on particularly hard areas. Repeat 5-7 times. Massage the outside of your hand in the same motion, but use less pressure on the tool.

Now rub your fingers separately with the wide side of the plate. Massage the places between them using the notch on the tool. Do 3-4 reps.

Do the same with the second hand.

Work your forearms and shoulders

Run the wide edge of the plate along the inside of the hand from the wrist to the shoulder. Increase pressure in areas where tension is felt. Be careful about the places where the veins protrude. Do these movements 5-7 times. Repeat the same with the outside and move on to the other arm.

How to do guasha foot massage

This type of massage can be done both to yourself and to someone else.

Massage your feet and toes

Knead the bottom of the foot with the narrow edge of the plate, moving from heel to toes. Work the arch of your foot carefully to relieve tension. Do it 5-7 times.

After that, with the wide edge of the plate, lightly walk along the top of the foot. Massage each finger deeper. Repeat 5-7 times.

Massage your other foot and toes.

Work your calves

With the wide edge of the plate, go over the calf. Move from the bottom up, push harder on the instrument when you feel tension in the muscle. Do 5-7 reps for the back, outside, and inside of each calf.

Move on your hips

Place the wide edge of the plate at the knee and slide it up towards the pelvis. Stop and do extra short scrapers on tense areas. Repeat the movements 5-7 times on all sides of each hip.

How to do guasha back massage

This type of massage can only be done to another person. He should lie down on a flat surface and take off his clothes.

Start with your shoulder blades

Pass the wide edge of the plate from the shoulder blades to the lower back along the spine 5-7 times. Make extra short scrapers on tense areas. To make the massage more pleasant, alternate the movements of the instrument with stroking with your palms. Work your back on the other side of your spine.

Pay attention to the shoulders

Now the person being massaged should sit up straight. Make short scrapers with the wide edge of the plate, moving from the neck to the shoulder. Linger in places where you feel tension. Repeat the movements 5-7 times and move to the other shoulder.

How to care for the plates

After the procedure, it is enough to wash the plates with warm water and a little soap to remove oil residues and dry them.

Non-obvious advice that will help keep the plate made of fragile materials longer: do not massage in the bathroom. A smooth, oiled tool can easily slip out of your hands and break on the tiles. So if you are not sure of your dexterity, go to a room with a softer floor.

How often can the procedure be performed?

Start with 2-3 short sessions per week and see how you react. If the massage does not cause discomfort, and the skin looks better to you, you can include gua sha in your daily facial.

Intensive body massage is best done no more than 1 time per week.