In today’s post, I want to go over the differences between jade roller and gua sha, some of the techniques of each and each of their advantages and disadvantages. Both of these are pretty ancient remedies that have been used for a long time for lymphatic drainage and facial sculpting. They’ve gotten really trendy, so I wanted to teach you guys how to properly use them and get that spa-like experience at home.
Lymphatic Drainage
- Clears toxins from your body
- Different kind of circulation
Before Using Either:
- Clean Face
- Hydrating Mist (e.g. Muran, Evian)
- Apply an oil (I use Honest Beauty Organic Facial Oil)- be generous.
The most gentle touch can help move lymphatic drainage along. For both of these tools, be VERY GENTLE – you should not be red or irritated after doing this.
Jade Roller
- EASIER to do all the time
- Requires less technique
- Start with the clavicle bone and neck- this creates an opening for lymphatic drainage to go through.
- Roll down the neck (3-5 times).
- Roll up your chin along your jaw, then bring it back down the neck.
- Lips: roll out from center, then up the corners (optional).
- Roll up the cheeks to help lift and accentuate cheekbones.
- Use the smaller side under eye and gently roll out from center.
- Forehead: start in center, roll up and out.
- Eyebrows: roll outward (close eyes).
- Nose: roll down (use either side).
Pro Tips:
- Feel free to focus on any other areas of the face that you want to lift!
- Keep jade roller in fridge or freezer- great for tension headaches and helps you wake up in the morning.
Gua Sha
- Can come in a few different shapes and sizes
- Does a lot more than the jade roller in terms of sculpting, muscle tension, relaxing
- More complicated than jade roller
- Requires technique and focus (follows meridians on the face)
- Start with the back of your neck- helps to relieve jaw and facial tension. Sandwich divet on the spine, keep flat and move in upward motion. **Everytime you reach the end point, stop and wiggle it** Repeat everything 3x each.
- Sides of neck: use flat edge, start at shoulders and move up the neck.
- Collar bone: drag (flat) up the neck. Stop at your jaw bone and wiggle it.
- Keep flat and drag up the front of the neck.
- Using the flat edge, drag up jawline from chin.
- Cheekbones: start at the corner of the mouth and move up to the temple.
- Under eye: notch side up, move outward **go super gently** and stop at the temple.
- Top of eye: closed eye, start under brow and move up forehead to hairline.
- Center of forehead: move straight up, stop at hairline and wiggle it.
Pro Tips:
- Don’t use the edge of the Gua Sha- always keep it FLAT.
- Add more oil as needed to help it glide more easily.
- Remember neck and chest when using any products.
I personally use these all the time and it’s become super therapeutic to me. Whichever one you choose, make sure to use it regularly to actually see a difference!
