Your skin may be irritated and your muscles may be tense after breast cancer treatment, but going to get a facial is SO expensive and time-consuming! Here are some relaxing, at-home facial massages that you can do every day to accelerate your skin’s healing process.

What is a Gua Sha?

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This story is part of Products We Love, a series on self-care for the breast cancer community.

The traditional Chinese Gua Sha is a healing practice in which a smooth-edged tool is pressed against the skin in a scraping motion. This technique is used to depuff the face, smooth fine lines, reduce dark eye circles and hyperpigmentation, increase lymphatic drainage, and heal scars.

Here’s the best part: You can buy a Gua Sha stone for less than $10! It’s a super cheap and relaxing self-care practice that produces phenomenal results for your skin. For those who want a Gua Sha and jade roller, check out this product!

“Gua sha is a traditional East Asian healing technique where the body surface is press-stroked with a smooth-edged instrument to intentionally raise therapeutic petechiae.”

— NIH

What are the benefits of Gua Sha facials?

Prevents breakouts and reduces inflammation

Your facial skin could experience some inflammation after undergoing breast cancer treatment. One way to combat the puffiness and inflammation: Gua Sha! Using your Gua Sha twice daily will alleviate skin discomfort and lessen inflammation so that the skin can recover quickly after chemotherapy or radiation.

Heals blemishes

A Gua Sha facial can help prevent breakouts and painful zits from appearing. Even if your skin breaks out, you will notice that the Gua Sha technique will help blemishes heal much faster.

Treats hyperpigmentation

Gua Sha is also known to break up pigmentation that may result from chemotherapy or radiation. You can also add this Counter+ All Bright C Serum to your daily skincare routine to accelerate the healing process.

Reduces puffiness and facilitates lymphatic drainage

The scraping motion of the Gua Sha draws excess fluid from your skin, stimulating lymphatic drainage and depuffing your face. This process will help to tone your cheekbones and shape your jawline for a slimmer face over time.

Smooths fine lines

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other cancer treatments tend to cause cells to die off sooner than normal, speeding up the aging process. The Gua Sha healing technique can be used to smooth fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck. Try pairing it with the Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream or the Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream to reduce and prevent wrinkles.

Massages facial muscles and helps soothe back, shoulder, and neck pain

We naturally hold a lot of tension in our face, especially after a particularly stressful day. This practice is so relaxing in the early morning and feels amazing at the end of the day as well.

You’ll see results within a week of using your Gua Sha twice daily!

Gua Sha facial massages are also known to boost the immune system, cure digestive problems, and improve blood flow and circulation!

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How do you use a Gua Sha tool?

Applying Serum/Facial Oils

Gua Sha massage techniques work best when you add a couple drops of a facial serum so that the tool can glide smoothly across the surface of your skin. This is especially important to avoid irritation if your skin is dry and sensitive after breast cancer treatment. It will also enhance the effects of the serum or oil by locking it into your pores!

For hydration and antioxidant protection, we love the Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum and the Dr C Tuna Age Reversist Serum.

For brightening the skin and eliminating imperfections, we recommend the Counter+ All Bright C Serum and the Dr C Tuna Tea Tree Serum.

Using Your Gua Sha Stone

Place your Gua Sha in your dominant hand.
Press the flat edge of your Gua Sha against your skin.
Following the guide to the right, pick one area of your face to start massaging.
Then, drag your Gua Sha stone across your skin with a small amount of pressure - be gentle, it shouldn’t hurt!
Massage your face 3-5 times with this technique.
Repeat this process for each area of the face (forehead, brow bones, cheekbones, jaw line, mouth, and neck).

Cleaning Your Gua Sha

Make sure you clean your Gua Sha stone before and after every usage, to keep your skin clear and healthy! Just lather the tool with a natural facial cleansing soap, rinse with water, and dry with a clean Microfiber Towel.

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What is a Gua Sha?