Quick Guide to Jade Rollers and Gua Sha Tools
Jade Rollers and Gua Sha stones are originally made from natural gemstones and are used e.g. to provide effective and stimulating facial massage - with benefits such as more beautiful skin!
The name Jade rollers refers to the fact that the rolling face tool was originally made of Jade stone. But today, a Jade Roller can be made of any strong and natural gemstone, such as Rose Quartz or Amethyst. Regardless of the stone the massage tools are made from, the benefit of the massage is the same - however, each gemstone is said to possess different spiritual meanings and benefits.
History
Jade rollers have grown in popularity in recent years and are a much-loved staple among beauty and skincare enthusiasts, but they're actually not a new invention but a centuries-old Chinese beauty ritual. The use of Jade Rollers is said to have originated during the Qing Dynasty. The Chinese Empress Dowager Chi is said to have used a Jade Roller, now it can be seen in the Qing Dynasty Palace Museum in Beijing.
But before the time of the Jade Roller, we find what we today call Gua Sha, a technique and tool that is even older than the Jade Roller! The Gua Sha stones are said to have originated as early as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) when they were used as part of Chinese traditional medicine, closely linked to the belief in Chi or Qi, ie the energy flowing through the body. The technique used when working with Gua Sha is said to help the body dissolve blocked energy/blocked energy flow. When the energy can flow freely through the body again, any pain and inflammation caused by blocked energy is reduced.
Rollers or Gua Sha?
Jade Rollers and Gua Sha provide many similar benefits - Lymphatic drainage, increased circulation and blood flow, cooling, reduced tension in muscles and reduced swelling. Skin tone, elasticity and texture are improved.
Jade rollers are somewhat easier to use, less specialized technique is required. Gua sha can provide deeper pressure and a more effective lifting and sculpting result, and is said to relieve tension in the jaws and muscles more effectively.
There is no evidence that one tool is better than the other but try both tools with different techniques and styles to find what works best for you!
For example, you may want to use your Jade Roller in the morning for a quick facial massage, and your G ua sha in the evening for a deeper facial massage, when you have more time and your skin can reap all the benefits while you sleep.
Using your tools regularly and consistently can have so many benefits for your skin such as:
- Help skin care products penetrate deeper into the skin for optimal results
- Improve circulation, for a naturally more radiant skin tone
- Reduce swelling
- Cool and soothe the skin
- Improve skin tone, elasticity and texture
- Lift and sculpt
- Provide relaxation and self-care
- Slight tension in the facial and neck muscles
What is lymphatic drainage?
Lymph is a colorless liquid that circulates through the body's lymphatic system, a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes/lymph nodes in the body. Lymph plays an important role in the immune system by transporting white blood cells and removing waste and bacteria from tissues to the lymph nodes/nodes where they can be filtered and eliminated from the body. The lymph also helps transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells and regulates the fluid balance in the body. We can help the lymphatic system process by using techniques that encourage the lymph to flow to the body's lymph nodes/glands. Here's a good picture of where the lymph nodes and lymph nodes can be found on the face and neck - so when using your tools you always want to work towards these.
How to proceed:
Store your Jade Roller or Gua Sha in the refrigerator for an extra cooling effect on the skin.
Use together with a facial oil or serum - morning and/or evening as part of your skin care routine. Some skin care experts recommend using with a toner or just with water, this is fine too, experiment and see what you prefer. You need to "glide" with the stone so it doesn't hurt.
Jade Roller
Start with your neck and work your way up your face. Roll up and out towards the cheeks from the chin, or from the center outwards on the forehead. The smaller roller can be used for the eyes and around the mouth. Always roll in one direction for lymphatic drainage to be effective, never roll back and forth.
Gua Sha
Draw your Gua Sha along the skin and work towards your ears. Holding your Gua Sha fairly flat against the skin, use the long edge along areas like your cheeks and forehead, the curved indentation to sculpt your jawline, and the small end around your eyes.
Sources: Health magazine , Aquamarina Beauty , Camilla Beijar
Photo by: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels
