6 Most Common Gua Sha Mistakes to Avoid

Gua Sha – a practice that's been gaining massive popularity in the holistic skincare scene. I know you're all about that natural, radiant glow, so I'm here to guide you through the five most common mistakes people make with Gua Sha and why you should steer clear of them.

Mistake 1: Skipping the Prep Work

Imagine this: you've just finished a long day, and you're ready to unwind with a relaxing Gua Sha session. But wait, are you forgetting something? Yep, that's right – prep work! Not prepping your skin properly can lead to unnecessary friction and even micro-tears. Ouch! Always, and I mean always, start with a clean face, clean gua sha tool and apply a generous layer of your favourite serum or oil. This helps the tool glide smoothly without causing any harm to your precious skin.

Mistake 2: Over-Pressuring the Skin

Let's talk about pressure – too much of it, to be exact. Applying excessive pressure while using your Gua Sha tool might feel like you're doing a deep tissue massage, but it's a big no-no. Overdoing the pressure can cause irritation, redness, and even broken capillaries. Remember, it's all about gentle, rhythmic strokes that promote circulation, not Hulk-like strength. Throughout your gua sha practice, try to keep in mind that you want to work on just below the surface of the skin - and that it's just 1 millimetre thick.

Mistake 3: Incorrect Angles

Okay, confession time – we've all seen those Gua Sha diagrams that look like intricate dance steps. It's easy to get a bit lost in the process, but here's the deal: using your tool at incorrect angles can do more harm than good. Instead of sculpting like a pro, you might end up tugging and pulling at your skin. Always use an angle less than 90 degrees, aim for around 45 degrees to almost flat on your skin for the best results.

Mistake 4: Skipping the Oil

Using a Gua Sha tool directly on dry skin is a big skincare sin. The lubrication provided by a high-quality facial oil is crucial as massaging dry skin can cause damage to the skin. Not only does an oil enhance the gliding motion, but it also nourishes your skin as you go. Gua sha will also help the oil penetrate the skin better.

Mistake 5: Moving Too Quickly

Ah, the fast track – it's tempting, I know. But when it comes to Gua Sha, slow and steady wins the race. Moving too quickly not only reduces the effectiveness of the technique but can also lead to uneven pressure distribution. 

Mistake 6: Not Keeping Consistent

Consistency matters just as much. Gua Sha isn't a one-time wonder; it's a journey of self-care. Set a routine that works for you and stick to it, giving your skin the attention it deserves. Join our free 5-day gua sha challenge to help you get started with right techniques and to keep accountable.

Mistake 7: Skipping the decollate and neck

When learning gua sha and face massage, understanding that treating your neck and decollate first is the most important part of your massage is crucial. The area contains lymph nodes that help drain the lymph from the face. Also releasing tension on the neck and decollate helps increase blood flow on the whole face.

Neck massage to reduce wrinkles.

Are you new to Jenny Nordic Skincare?

Hi, I'm Jenny the founder and formulator of Jenny Nordic Skincare.

We are a natural, minimal skincare brand all about that grown-up glow. Your skin is not the same as it was in your 20s - or even 30s! The skin is forever changing and you're approaching a new season. It might be showing more wrinkles and spots. You’re looking for minimal, high-performance skincare that will make you feel (and look) like a treat. 

With Jenny Nordic minimal, high-performance skincare, you can take a few moments to yourself every day and care for your skin just with a few steps. I promise you'll fall in love with your skin and feel radiant.

Check out our Travel Skincare Set - it's the easiest and most convenient way to try our products!

Love, Jenny

Founder of Jenny Nordic Skincare

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