Guasha (“gua” means scraping, “sha” refers to the marks often produced by this technique), is both a medical and a cosmetic treatment technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Medical guasha involves applying a lubricant (massage oil, cream, herbal liniment, etc.) to the skin, and then scraping with a firm pressure to create sha, transient therapeutic petechiae. The mechanical pressure of scraping can help reduce muscle tension and unbind restrictions of connective tissue. The presence of sha stimulates a series of enzymatic responses that benefit the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Cosmetic guasha is a gentler technique that does not produce marks (I say “we’re going for the gua, but not the sha.”). We apply an anti-aging facial serum, and scrape gently along the jawline, around the cheeks, up the temples, and across the forehead. This gentle scraping can stimulate circulation of the lymphatic system (reducing facial puffiness), increase blood flow (lightening dark spots and brightening the complexion), relax tense muscles (reducing wrinkles), and strengthen weak muscles (lifting the cheeks and jawline).
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Facial Guasha Massage
Apply an anti-aging facial serum to clean and dry skin
1. Scrape with firm but gentle pressure upward under jaw and chin.
2. Scrape along jawline from chin to ear
3. Scrape along cheek from nose to temple
4. Scrape up temple to corner of the forehead
5. Scrape up the side and the bridge of the nose to beginning of eyebrow.
6. Scrape up forehead to anterior hairline (or across forehead to corner of the forehead).
Using a small end of the guasha tool, focus on any wrinkles using a small circular motion
Do a facial guasha massage 2-7 times per week.
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Facial guasha is one of the many techniques that Dr. Lisa includes in a facial rejuvenation acupuncture appointment. Click here to learn more about facial rejuvenation.
Dr. Lisabeth Detwiler is a specialist in facial rejuvenation acupuncture and TCM dermatology. She observed in the busy dermatology department during her externship in Harbin, China. She has attended many seminars in the clinical practice of TCM dermatology, and is certified in facial rejuvenation acupuncture. She has completed the prestigious postgraduate TCM dermatology diploma course taught by Mazin Al-Khafaji (one of the world's leading experts in the field of TCM dermatology), and is the first and only practitioner in New Mexico to earn membership on the Register of Chinese Medicine Dermatology & Inflammatory Disease.