Stress has a negative impact because the ‘fight or flight’ response diverts blood away from the skin and into the muscles. This process results in less oxygen and vital nutrients passing into the skin, muscle tension, inflexible fascia and stagnant lymph.
Other signs of ageing we dread such as fine lines, dryness and sagging skin are also worsened by stress. For example, sagging skin is the result of decreased blood flow and dehydration where the stress response has leached vitamins, blood and moisture from the skin and diverted it to the muscles.
Stress is also a key element in inflammatory skin conditions such as Roseaca which is exacerbated if you deal with stress by using alcohol, especially red wine, which increases the likelihood of Rosacea and broken capillaries.
Our skin has a protective barrier formed of healthy oils known as lipids. Stress reduces this barrier, causing lipids to evaporate and resulting in fine lines and dry skin. Even with the best skincare, this rich, moist barrier is hard to replace.
How can Gua Sha help me?
Gua Sha is revered across Asia for its beauty benefits. What sets it apart as a beauty treatment is its unique ability to engage with the circulation under the skin to draw in nutrients. In addition to applying an oil to the surface of your skin, you are also activating your own body to do the work from the inside.
Proven in studies to increase microcirculation by 400%. This restores blood flow to the area boosting collagen and elastin, improves the elasticity of the skin and manipulates areas of tension to stimulate and regenerate cells. It also reduces fine lines, pigmentation, sagging skin and uneven skin tone and promotes lymphatic drainage, which eliminates toxins and helps to reduce congestion and puffiness.
What we see as puffiness in the face is fluid retention, specifically lymphatic fluid. For optimal health of the skin, the immune system, and the entire body we want lymph to circulating freely. When lymph is draining and refreshing optimally, puffiness goes down. In addition, the proper circulation removes toxins from the skin, which helps to clarify the complexion, and rejuvenates skin cells for a healthy glow.
The main causes of fluid retention are inflammation in the body, lack of movement, or too much salt. Inflammation can have so many causes, but some common ones are poor diet; foods such as sugar, gluten or dairy; too much alcohol; illness; and chronic illness. The lymph system relies on external movement for its circulation, so exercise or massage help to move the fluid, and being sedentary, or being stationed behind a computer all day, contribute to stagnation—this is why we’re usually puffiest in the morning after we’ve been lying in bed all night.
One of the most promising benefits of gua sha is its effect on the immune system. When this treatment is performed, the immune system is activated, allowing the body to speed up its natural healing process. In Asian culture, gua sha is often used in the case of illness to “let the sickness escape”
With gentle pressure, in the correct directions, we encourage the lymphatic fluid to move along its pathways and drain into the body. Using Gua Sha made of pure Jade which is a cooling and cleansing stone this has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to aid the body’s filtration organs and lymph system to expel toxins.
Give yourself a glow & book in for treatment!
- Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
- Tighten skin
- Decrease puffiness under the eyes
- Plump skin to give it a youthful glow
Harmony Holistic Therapy 