Skin Ageing Explained & How Gua Sha Can Help
Skin ageing is a natural process, but it often prompts us to look for ways to keep our complexion looking fresh and healthy. While skincare products and routines have their place, understanding what happens under the surface—and how gua sha can support our skin—can offer a unique, effective approach to ageing.
Gua sha, a practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, has gained popularity for its ability to enhance skin elasticity, support hydration, and encourage healthier skin overall. Let’s dive into the science of skin ageing and explore how gua sha works to bring vitality back to your skin.
What Happens To The Skin As It Ages?
As we age, our skin goes through significant changes. These changes are largely due to a decline in the production of two essential proteins: collagen and elastin. Collagen gives the skin its firmness, while elastin provides flexibility and bounce. As we age, our skin produces less of these proteins, leading to visible changes such as sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
One of the most vital players in collagen production is the fibroblast. Fibroblasts are specialised cells within the dermis—the middle layer of skin—responsible for producing collagen and elastin fibres. Unfortunately, fibroblast activity diminishes with age. As they become less active, the dermis begins to thin, and skin gradually loses its structure, leading to sagging and the development of wrinkles.
Additionally, ageing skin struggles more with hydration. The skin barrier weakens, making it harder for the skin to retain moisture. This often results in a dry, dull complexion. The loss of moisture and elasticity combined with less collagen means the skin becomes more prone to visible signs of ageing.
Fibroblasts – The Heroes of Youthful Skin
Fibroblasts are essentially the “factories” of collagen and elastin in our skin. They’re highly active in our youth, constantly producing fresh collagen and elastin to keep skin firm, resilient, and smooth. However, with time, these cells slow down, leading to a reduction in these key proteins, which translates into visible signs of ageing. As fibroblasts become less productive, skin loses its structure and begins to sag.
Fibroblasts are not just affected by the natural ageing process; environmental factors like sun exposure, pollution, stress, and even certain lifestyle choices can impact fibroblast health, accelerating skin ageing. This is where gua sha comes in: by manually stimulating the skin, gua sha can help “wake up” fibroblasts, encouraging them to stay active and support healthier, more resilient skin.
Stimulating Fibroblasts Through Manual Stretching
Gua sha’s effectiveness goes beyond the surface of the skin. The technique involves gently stretching and massaging the skin, which can positively influence fibroblasts and even encourage collagen production. When you perform gua sha, the manual stretching action sends a signal to fibroblasts, prompting them to become more active. This increase in activity can translate into more collagen and elastin production, helping to firm and smooth the skin over time.
Gua sha also enhances blood flow to the skin’s surface, boosting oxygen and nutrient delivery, which directly supports the health of fibroblasts. This improved circulation aids in the detoxification process, as it encourages lymphatic drainage. Toxins and excess fluids are flushed out, leaving the skin looking refreshed and more vibrant. The result? A complexion that’s firmer, smoother and looks more vibrant.
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Connective Tissue and Skin Cell Hydration
One of the lesser-known benefits of gua sha is its ability to improve the resilience of the skin’s connective tissue and boost cell hydration—two essential components for youthful skin.
- Connective tissue support: Connective tissue acts as a support network for our skin. Fibroblasts are the main cells building the connective tissue. As we age, connective tissue can lose its elasticity, becoming stiffer and more prone to wrinkles. Gua sha works to keep this tissue flexible and resilient, reducing the appearance of fine lines and sagging. By regularly performing gua sha, you encourage the connective tissue to maintain its elasticity, supporting a firmer and smoother appearance.
- Enhanced skin hydration: Gua sha’s gentle, sweeping movements help stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for fluid balance and detoxification in the body. By promoting lymphatic drainage, gua sha allows stagnant fluid to be moved out, the skin to sit "tighter" on the bone structure and helps the skin look and feel more hydrated. Hydrated skin cells are plumper, giving the skin a youthful glow.
Using gua sha with a hydrating product, such as Jenny Nordic Skincare’s Glow & Revitalize Oil Serum, can amplify this effect. The oil allows the tool to glide smoothly while delivering moisture and nutrients deeper into the skin. This helps improve hydration from the inside out, especially beneficial for ageing skin that struggles to retain moisture.
How to Use Gua Sha to Support Ageing Skin
For those eager to experience gua sha’s benefits firsthand, here’s a simple routine to get started:
- Prep your skin: Begin by applying a few drops of a hydrating oil or serum. This step is crucial to ensure the gua sha tool glides smoothly, reducing any tugging on the skin.
- Master the technique: Use gentle, upward strokes with the gua sha tool, moving from the centre of your face outward. Keep the tool at a slight angle to your skin, using light pressure and your opposite hand as a support for a comfortable stretch. Read our guide Gua Sha For Beginners here.
- Focus on key areas: Target areas prone to sagging, such as the jawline, cheeks, and under the eyes. This helps counteract gravity’s effects and gives your skin a lifted look.
- Consistency is key: For optimal results, aim to practice gua sha two to three times a week. The benefits build over time, especially as fibroblasts respond to regular stimulation.
- Book Online Gua Sha Workshop to get comfortable with the right techniques and to get the best benefits and personalised advice.
The Take-Away
Skin ageing is part of life, not a flaw. Understanding what happens beneath the surface, can help us accept the changes and also help us make more mindful choices for our skincare routines. Gua sha offers a natural, non-invasive method to support skin’s elasticity, hydration, and overall health. While it won’t halt ageing, consistent practice can encourage your skin to age gracefully, helping it stay resilient, vibrant, and full of life.
So, next time you reach for your gua sha tool, remember: each stroke is not just a step toward relaxation but a meaningful contribution to your skin’s health and beauty. Embrace your skin’s evolution with confidence, care, and a bit of self-love.
Sending love,
Jenny, founder of Jenny Nordic Skincare, Gua Sha Educator and Holistic Beauty Therapist
