Who can relate? You go to take a photo, and the camera is shooting at you instead. This happens to me more than once a day, and I’ve been noticing that my jowls are more prominent. I’m all for embracing the changes with aging, but then again, was there something easy to help slow down these changes? That’s why I decided to see what 60 days of face massage with my gua sha would show.
Quote of the day: “Grit is living life… it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Angela Duckworth
Over the last few years, I’ve been trying to minimize and simplify my skincare and makeup routine.
Maybe you remember my minimalistic skincare article or my ramblings about if makeup makes us look better?
So with that in mind, I didn’t want to buy something new or spending a ton of money. Luckily, I had a couple of gua sha tools that came with some products I had bought in the past.
And while I’ve read about how a face massage gua sha style is good for us, I’d just never gotten into the habit.
Now I have, and I wanted to share my experiences. I’m not writing this to try to convince you to do the same, but I just want to share more ramblings. Every person is different, and I love it when we share.
That’s why I’m not sharing “before” and “after” photos of my face. I’m not sure I can tell a difference that way, but I will share what I feel and what my esthetician said.
What Is Gua Sha Anyway?
For those who aren’t familiar, gua sha (pronounced gwah-shah) is a traditional Chinese technique where you scrape the skin with a smooth-edged tool, typically made of jade or rose quartz, to improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and encourage lymphatic drainage. Think of it as a mini face workout.
In fact, I consider it similar to foam rolling my legs and back, which is something I do nightly.
I had this gua sha tool tucked away in a drawer, and I finally decided to use it. There are many versions of a tool like this (found on Amazon), and I don’t believe one is better than another.
My thinking was that our face has muscles too, and while we can’t change the fact that gravity is pulling on our skin, we can affect the muscles that are holding onto our skin.
What Happened Over 60 Days of Face Massage Gua Sha Style
So I committed. Sixty days of incorporating a face massage gua sha into my routine, and here’s what I found:
1. My face turns red after using it
No, not scary red. Just that healthy flush that tells me circulation is flowing. It’s the same way your skin gets warm and pink after a workout.
To me, that’s proof that something’s happening. More oxygen and blood are good things.
It doesn’t last but a couple of minutes. By the time I put on my cream moisturizer and makeup, I don’t notice it anymore.
2. Some of those under-the-skin bumps? Gone.
I don’t struggle with breakouts, but I’ve had a few stubborn, tiny bumps under my skin. They don’t hurt, and I bet no one notices them but me.
Over this 60-day experiment, I was shocked when the one by my eye was gone. Let me rephrase that. Some days I can still feel it slightly, and some days not at all.
This wasn’t something I was expecting, and I could guess why this happened, but I’m no expert. Instead, I will just be happy about it.
3. My esthetician noticed a difference.
Here’s the best part: During my last facial, my esthetician said, “Your skin looks really hydrated and healthy, whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”
I had said nothing to her about doing this facial massage with my gua sha tool because it wasn’t a big deal for me.
Yet hearing her words was a light bulb moment. Why? Because usually I hear how I need to hydrate my skin more (It’s age and the environment working against me, I realize).
Could It Be Something Else?
Now, in the name of fairness, I have to admit: I’m not only using a gua sha tool. I also use a red light therapy mask (I won this one in a giveaway). I’ve been consistent with that for over 2 years, and while I don’t “notice” a difference, I hear so many good things about red light that I keep it up.
Every couple of weeks, I’ll slap on an overnight hydrating sheet mask for good measure (if you know of a better one, I’m all ears).
I rotate through a few skincare brands but haven’t added anything “new.”
My diet hasn’t changed…clean, lots of veggies and protein, minimal sugar, and of course, lots of water.
But in all reality, instead of the daily face massage with the gua sha tool being the big difference, could it be the fact that I’m using a face oil instead of thinner serum? We will never know, unless I decide to experiment.
Yet I know the face massage part has been helpful for my knotty jaw muscles. Especially since I glench/grind my teeth at night.
What Does Google Say?
At first, I was just going to share my experience and be done with it. Yet everyone Googles everything, so I thought I should know if there was something I was doing wrong or that didn’t vibe with the experts. According to dermatologists and holistic estheticians online:
- Gua sha can temporarily reduce puffiness and sculpt the face by stimulating lymphatic flow.
- It boosts blood circulation, which brings more nutrients to the skin and can result in that healthy glow.
- With consistent use, it may help relax tight muscles (like the jawline) and increase elasticity over time.
And yes, some studies even suggest facial massage can help reduce fine lines and increase collagen production.
Sounds like what I experienced, right?
Things I’ve Learned
I don’t claim to be an expert. But there are some things I’ve learned along the way.
1-You need a thick, oily-like serum or face oil. I have used a thinner one, but have to reapply often. You really want the gua sha tool to glide over your skin…not stick to it.
2-There is no length of time that is important. Some days I do it for 30 seconds, some days more like 60 seconds. I DO NOT make it super long.
3-Gentle. I started out pushing too hard, especially because my jowl muscles were knotty. But now I just do a gentle glide and seriously those jowl muscles are much smoother (not that I notice visually, but I can feel the difference).
Insider tip: Most articles will tell you to incorporate this facial massage gua sha style in the evenings. This didn’t work for me, so I do this in the mornings. Yes, my face is very glowy and oily, but my powder foundation cuts that down somewhat. Besides, I don’t mind being glowy.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
For me, I would say a resounding yes. It’s not like it takes a ton of time or effort, especially since I already have all the things. It’s something I consider an easy habit to begin.
Then again, it reminds me of the video, how I’m constantly adding more and more to my wellness routine. Is that bad? I consider it better than sitting on the couch, watching TV, I guess.
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Welcome to Jodie’s Touch of Style. I’m here to prove that it’s never too late to look great. Clothing and style are meant to showcase your inner personality. So let’s have fun and try new things. And realize that clothing isn’t the only thing in a healthy and wonderful life.
