If there is one thing that makes the Chinese people different from the rest of the world, they would be intelligent inventions. If you take a look at their products, you will notice right away that all of it is convenient. They don’t invent things for the sake of experimentation but convenience and profit. Aside from that, the things they create are also intelligent and top of the class, so everyone would like to buy them.
Today, we will talk about a product that is widely used in China and is now produced worldwide. It is a traditional and historical tool that is used to improve not just beauty but health too. It is used by scraping the product in the skin face to alleviate and support microcirculation. It can also enhance the lymphatic drainage of anyone. So, by now, you must already know what the product is. You’re right. It is gua sha.
Getting to Know Gua Sha
Gua sha, or, is a Chinese word that means “scratch” and “sand.” Sha’ is caused by toxins produced by bacteria or viruses, which burst capillaries and induce hyperemia, or spots in the skin or mucous, resulting in sand-like dispersed or concentrated patches. The sand comparison came from the process of gua sha, in which technicians scrape the skin softly and watch tiny spots under the skin emerge; these tiny grains resemble sand, which is how they got their name. It’s usual for people to notice redness or discomfort after using gua sha, but these adverse effects fade away within a few days.
Gua sha is a herbal Medicine from China that involves applying a solution such as water, face oil, or vaseline on a smooth object like metal plates, spoons, and jade plates. Then, it is applied to a particular part of the body to activate it. Unlike what you might see on tutorial videos, gua sha is not only for the face; it could also be used on the shoulders and back, according to specialists.
Why Gua Sha is a Must Have?
It can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Experts say that gua sha can temporarily restore the complexion of the newborn and very delicate ones. Gua sha should never be the topmost priority for lengthy wrinkles. It is more recommended to sustain the youthful look of the youth, but adults may only use it for temporary enhancement. Meaning it should be used continuously.
It can encourage the flow of blood.
According to Chinese medicine, the Yang Ming and Tai Yin channels are crucial for the entire health of your skin. So, when you use your gua sha instrument to exfoliate the facial skin gently, you’re energizing your Yang Ming lines. With that, you’re also signaling to your brain that this place requires extra blood flow.
It Has Relaxing and Relieving Benefits.
Indeed, the Gua Sha tool is not just for beauty. It can also be used for relaxation and relieving muscle tension. Gua Sha can apply pressure that releases muscular stress. Aside from that, you will also feel relieved because of the press and scraping property it has.
Step-by-step Guide on How to Clean Your Gua Sha Tool
Now that you know what gua sha is and why it is popular in Chinese medicine, you must also know how to take care of it. Cleaning Gua Sha is essential because it is used in the face and skin that may have grown microbes. So, if you want to avoid infections and pimples, you must learn to clean them. Here’s how you should do it.
1. Use warm water and wash the Gua Sha tool with a mild dishwashing liquid.
This is the first step of “How to Clean Your Gua Sha Tool.” There is no need to be panicky and extra in cleaning the Gua Sha tool. You won’t have strong chemicals to wipe off the bacterias in it. All you have to do is use warm water, then brush the Gua Sha tool throughout the mild dishwashing liquid. That will do it. You won’t need any acid and chemicals.
2. Dry it naturally to have the same effectiveness and avoid damages.
“After washing the Gua Sha tool, you should not do anything unnecessary to dry it. That’s because all you have to do is to let it dry naturally in a dry place. That will help the Gua Sha tool avoid breakage, weakness, and damages that may only shorten the span of your product. Furthermore, it is tested to be more effective when dried naturally instead of using appliances like a fan and blow-dry.
3. Spray isopropyl alcohol or colloidal silver all over your gua sha tool for ensured disinfection.
If you are the kind of person who has delicate and sensitive skin, or if you have an oily and acne-prone type of face. You should never skip this step. By simply spraying some isopropyl alcohol or colloidal silver all over your gua sha tool, you will have ensured disinfection. The solutions will kill all the bacteria that have hopped on the Gua Sha and eradicate it in no time. That way, you will have a lesser chance of having any pimples and skin infections.
4. Put it in a secured silk-lined container or box to be secured from surface bacteria.
After using alcohol, you should not put the product and feel assured that you can use it again anytime. First of all, placing the product just anywhere will eventually make it dusty and dirty. Thus, it would be best if you had a secured container with a silk-lined texture because that’s where you will put the Gua Sha tool. Don’t forget that you will be using this tool to your face, so you should not be careless in keeping it.
5. Before Using Gua Sha, respray it with isopropyl alcohol or colloidal silver all over your gua sha tool.
This is the final yet one of the most critical steps. Before you use your gua sha tool again, you should respray some solutions just like alcohol and colloidal silver. That way, you will have 100% assurance that the product is safe and effective to use. By doing this, you will be sure that the health and beauty benefits of Gua Sha will be absorbed by your skin thoroughly.
