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my gua sha morning routine

My Life Changing Gua Sha Morning Routine

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Today, I’m inviting you to my bathroom, my sanctuary, where I will share my life-changing gua sha morning routine. 

This may sound dramatic, but if your body tends to retain a lot of water, you know how frustrating it is to wake up with a puffy face every morning. My life changed forever after incorporating the gua sha technique into my routine. 

From the reduction of under-eye circles to the contouring of my jawline, the effects were nothing short of miraculous. 

I will guide you through my morning gua sha ritual, highlighting the benefits of this method and the optimal time to integrate it into your skincare routine for best results. Moreover, I’ll recommend products that I absolutely love to amplify the results.

Table of Contents

Gua Sha 101: A Little History

Gua sha emerged centuries ago within traditional Chinese medicine as a healing method to treat chronic body pain.

Since the, experts crafted it into a tool for healing and beauty. It’s an ancient ritual with roots deep in its wisdom, this practice gained popularity for its simple yet profound impact. It involves using the scraping motion on your skin with a smooth-edged stone to enhance circulation, lymphatic drainage and help with blood flow.

People use gua sha facial massage tool to open lymph nodes and do a gentle massage on the surface of the skin.

With daily use people observed reduced inflammation, enhanced lymph flow, and a more radiant complexion. They noted clearer congestion and a remarkable natural contouring effect on their faces.

gua sha routine for beginners

Benefits of Incorporating Gua Sha into Your Morning Daily Routine

My face transformed after incorporating the gua sha technique into my morning routine. It has since became a staple in my beauty regimen.

Initially, I noticed a boost in circulation and a decrease in muscular tension. My skin was glowing as if I just finished a morning jog. I felt like I didn’t need to put on as much make-up after and felt more confident throughout the day.

Next, the lymph flow improvement became evident. The puffiness around my eyes diminished, making me look more awake than any cup of coffee could. Also, the reduction of inflammation in my face made me look slimmer and I felt that my facial muscles were more relaxed.

Lastly, the natural contouring effects were undeniable. My jawline appeared more defined, my cheekbones more pronounced, fine lines and skin elasticity improved. 

Introducing gua sha into my routine took minimal effort but delivered maximum reward. It became a non-negotiable step in starting my day right.

Choosing the Right Gua Sha Stone

The journey to find the right gua sha stone felt like a quest. There are different facial tools and gua sha stones available on the market. The most popular are bian stone, rose quartz and jade roller. I, personally, prefer rose quartz stone, I like this one. 

Gua sha stones come in different shapes, so you can choose one that you like the most.

I discovered that the stone’s shape wasn’t just a matter of aesthetics; it dictated efficacy. Contours and edges must align with facial structures. 

You might need to try a few gua sha stones to see which suits your needs best, but starting with any gua sha stone is perfectly fine. Don’t overthink it!

I have found a few different stones and shapes that I love. I like them, not just for their quality but for their unique design. It matched every curve and angle of my face perfectly. I had tried others before. Yet, these ones made a noticeable difference. It became clear that maximizing the benefits depended on this match. 

So, consider the shape when choosing your stone. It might just transform your routine as it did mine.

Here are some of my favorite gua sha stones that I would personally recommend:

  • Muscle Muse Stone Body Gua Sha by Chillhouse, perfect for your neck and body.
  • Bian stone gua sha from NANNETTE DE GASPE offers a unique shape and I love using it on my face. Bian stone is known for its healing properties and this product is Cruelty-Free.
  • This gua sha kit comes with an oil from Skin Gym is the perfect combo to start with.

 

My Gua Sha Morning Routine

Pre-Gua Sha Skin Prep

Before I let the gua sha stone glide over my face, some prep work comes first. 

Clean skin forms the starting point. I apply a light, hydrating serum or oil next. I use this one from Kora Organics. It make my skin feel smooth, but it’s not greasy.

This step ensures the stone slides smoothly, avoiding any pull or drag on delicate, sensitive skin. A serum rich in hyaluronic acid or vitamin C has become my go-to. It boosts the gua sha benefits and locks in moisture for the day ahead.

Picking the right serum and oil made all the difference for me. It allowed for a seamless glide of the gua sha stone. This small change in preparation transformed my routine into a luxurious skincare ritual. 

It’s a special moment where self-care meets skincare, setting a positive tone for the rest of my day.

gua sha skin prep

Step-by-Step Morning Gua Sha Technique

When I wake up in the morning, I head straight into my bathroom and start my skincare routine. 

Usually, my skin had been cleansed the night before. So I will start by applying my chosen serum or oil and then begin using my gua sha. 

When to use gua sha in skin care routine?

I recommend doing gua sha before you start your skin care routine. On the days when I use oil and not a serum for my gua sha routine, I like to wash my face after to wash off the oil. I do not wash my face after the gua sha if I use a serum. I would just continue applying the rest of my skincare routine. 

Morning Gua Sha Technique:

  1. Apply a serum or facial oil generously across your face, ensuring an even coat. I like to keep my gua sha serum and oil in the skincare fridge to keep them cool. It adds an additional cooling effect, which helps with lymphatic drainage. 
  2. Grab your gua sha stone, chosen for its unique shape. Make sure it fits perfectly in your hands.
  3. Start at your neck, using upward strokes. Light pressure is key here. Your motions should be slow and deliberate. The neck is often ignored, so it deserves attention too.
  4. Move to your jawline next, gliding the stone along it. Here, you can apply a bit more pressure. The goal of this step is to sculpt and define the jawline.
  5. Address the under-eye area with great care. This part is delicate. Use soft, sweeping motions to reduce puffiness and brighten.
  6. Finish with your forehead, using horizontal strokes. This part will feel relaxing, like a gentle massage, easing you into the day.

 

This entire routine takes about 10 -15 minutes. Yet, the effects are immediate. My face appears more contoured and more radiant afterward. Puffiness is diminished, and I feel refreshed and ready to face the day. 

Morning Gua Sha Technique

How to Use Gua Sha on the Body and Neck

When I have more time in the morning, I try incorporating gua sha into my body care routine. It makes such a difference in how I look and feel the rest of the day. 

I start with addressing tension along my neck and shoulders. Often neglected, these areas crave the same care I dedicate to my face. I learned the proper technique mattered as much here.

Gentle pressure became my mantra. It allowed me to navigate around delicate neck areas and over the contours of my body without discomfort. The strokes, slow and deliberate, encouraged not just physical but mental relaxation.

I noticed big changes by integrating this practice into the start of my day. My posture improved. Those persistent knots in my shoulders began to loosen. Even my skin felt different, smoother, more alive. 

I realized that gua sha, when done with attention and care, had benefits that rippled through my entire being.

How to Maximize Benefits

I’ve discovered that consistency is the key to unlocking the full potential of the gua sha ritual. 

Gliding the stone across your skin is not enough in hopes of immediate miracles. After each session, I make nurturing my skin a priority. A soothing massage with a hydrating serum seals the benefits, leaving my skin plump and ready to concur the day.

Incorporating gua sha into my morning routine became a ritual I can’t and don’t want to skip. I recommend doing it at least five times a week to see a notable difference. 

lymphatic drainage

Proof in the Pudding: My Gua Sha Before and After

I had started my gua sha journey with skepticism. Years of experimenting with different skincare routines left me wondering if any change was possible. 

I would capture a photo of my face each morning, noting the subtle changes. After weeks of integrating gua sha into my routine, the results spoke volumes.

A comparison of before and after images revealed a transformation that had once seemed unattainable. My skin appeared more contoured, under-eye bags had diminished, and I got that natural glow that was hard not to notice. This routine had not only reshaped my face but also instilled a newfound confidence. Each stroke of the gua sha stone seemed to erase traces of fatigue, leaving my skin looking rejuvenated and vibrant.

To those still on the fence, my journey is a testament to the power of consistent practice. 

Gua sha has become more than just a part of my skincare regimen; it is a ritual that rejuvenates me from the inside out.

Final Tips

Incorporating gua sha into your skincare routine in the morning will result in a firmer and healthier-looking skin.

For me, it actually became less of a routine and more of a revitalizing morning ritual. 

Also, I’m a big fan of habit stacking, so I incorporate other habits with my gua sha routine to create the most magical atmosphere. 

Here are the extra things I add to my gua sha morning ritual:

  • I take three deep breaths before starting the gua sha to help with oxygen flow.
  • I listen to morning affirmations. I find them on YouTube and play it in the background or repeat them in my head while doing my skincare routine.
  • Sometimes, I would do 50 toe jumps or a quick stretch to help activate lymphatic drainage before I begin doing the gua sha.
 

Important notes:

  • Safety first: It is a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before using gua sha if you have any underlying health conditions, open wounds, problem areas or skin sensitivities.
  • Listen to your body: If you experience any pain or discomfort, stop immediately.
  • Gua sha is not a magic bullet: While it may offer some benefits, it’s not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle and other wellness practices.
 

Remember, gua sha is a complementary therapy, and its effectiveness can vary depending on individual factors. It’s important to manage expectations and use it safely and appropriately.

Overall, after incorporating gua sha into my morning routine, I noticed a surge in confidence as my skin seemed to thank me for the attention. Additionally, it became clear that incorporating gua sha wasn’t merely about exterior beauty.

Long-term result spanned beyond what met the eye. My circulation improved, inflammation subsided, and those dreaded under-eye shadows dimmed. My face found a new contour, sculpted naturally through the gentle strokes of the gua sha stone. 

You can embrace this change, too. Allow gua sha to become the cornerstone of your self-care practice. It asks for little but gives generously. Consider dedicating 10 -15 minutes every morning towards a future where you glow from within.

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