Gua sha originates from ancient Chinese medicines and removes stagnant qi. You can also use derma rollers to get rid of disease and malaise and improve collagen.

Deconstructing the Latest Beauty Trend: Gua Sha and the Use of Derma Rollers

The ancient act of gua sha has many benefits that derive from lymphatic drainage. But can you achieve that without investing in expensive beauty products?

Deconstructing The Latest Beauty Trend: Gua Sha And The Use Of Derma Rollers

Overview

Traditional Chinese medicine practices gua sha, kerokan, or the act of using derma rollers. It is said to remove stagnant qi (pronounces &ldquo;chi&rdquo;) or energy to get rid of disease and malaise. While the practice is being widely marketed today as a facial beauty tool, it has historically been used all across the body. 
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Use of Derma Rollers

While it is currently being performed with semiprecious stones, the practice has historically utilised a variety of smooth-edged tools, such as wooden spoons, jade and bian stones, or, according to one observer, even a coin. The objective is to achieve slight petechiae or <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/before-and-after-make-up-how-to-prep-your-skin-and-how-to-clean-it-off">redness in the skin</a> from scraping.&nbsp;

This redness appears as little dots of blood under the skin, resembling sand, which is where the practice derives its name from &mdash; gua means scrape and sha means sand. 
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Some of the beauty benefits of gua sha which earned the practice its contemporary popularity include

<ul>
	<li>Boosting collagen production&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Reducing puffiness</li>
	<li>Reducing muscle tension</li>
	<li>Brightening the complexion</li>
	<li>Decreasing inflammation</li>
	<li>Reducing dark circles</li>
	<li>Sculpting the face 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

All of these benefits derive simply from the lymphatic drainage that occurs through a repeated massage of a certain area in a particular direction. In 1990, David Graston in the United States translated gua sha into Western physical therapy, proving that scraping does have benefits on the muscle tissue. However, the special use of semiprecious stones, such as rose quartz, black obsidian, and jade, is not necessary in order to achieve these results.&nbsp;

In fact, a full body gua sha or scraping can very easily be done at home without falling into a capitalist marketing scheme with potential cultural appropriation issues. All you need is a wooden spoon.&nbsp; 
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Bottom Line

Gua sha is performed by first going over the muscles in a direction that&rsquo;s perpendicular to them, and then going along their length. The perpendicular motion softens up the muscular tissue and prepares the lymph vessels for emptying; the lengthwise motion smoothens the muscles and completes the act of drainage. The redness resulting from this process typically disappears within a few days.&nbsp;

Facial scraping, however, is slightly different. Since the skin tissue here is thinner, gua sha must be performed more gently. Also, a perpendicular motion is not required here as that might cause an unnecessary strain. Facial gua sha is performed by using the nose as an axis point and going over with the tool in an outward direction.&nbsp;

The frequency of facial gua sha depends upon your tolerance for it. While it is recommended that you start with a weekly practice, results typically improve when performed daily. On the body, experts suggest it once per season. It&rsquo;s best to hire a trained expert to do that.&nbsp;

So, you don&rsquo;t need to purchase expensive semiprecious crystals in order to get the benefits of gua sha &mdash; unless you believe in their energetic frequencies and warding off evil. In that case, please knock yourself out!&nbsp;

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