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Gua sha is a natural therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation. This ancient Chinese healing technique may offer a unique approach to better health, addressing issues like chronic pain*. In gua sha, a technician scrapes your skin with short or long strokes to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow. They make these strokes with a smooth-edged instrument known as a gua sha massage tool. The technician applies massage oil to your skin and then uses the tool to repeatedly scrape your skin.
With redheads being so sensitive, is gua sha a recommended practice?
We couldn’t think of a better guest than Sandra Lanshin Chiu, LAc. We were first introduced to her via her viral YouTube video “Learn Facial Gua Sha from a Chinese Medical Skincare Professional” (watch the entire video at the bottom of this post). It has been viewed over 1.5 million times! We’re so excited to welcome her to the How to be a Redhead podcast.
Sandra is an acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist and founder of Treatment by Lanshin. In practice for over a decade, she focuses on treating skin disorders and rejuvenating skin using the unique approach of Chinese medicine, which she believes will transform the future of skincare. Specially trained in herbal dermatology, she uses Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture to resolve common skin problems like acne, rosacea, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis. In recent years her work with skin and facial rejuvenation has also received increasing interest and media attention. Through her initial success in treating pain conditions, infertility, digestive disorders, etc., Sandra observed her work also had a powerful impact on restoring skin quality and youthfulness in her patients. Today she applies the successful techniques she has learned and developed into her signature style of anti-aging work.
Listen directly below, click here to listen on iTunes or search for us wherever you listen to podcasts!
Gua Sha tool found on Lanshin.com
Sandra Lanshin Chiu, LAc demonstrating the gua sha tool
We ask her the following questions:
1. We love your YouTube videos! After applying your gua sha techniques to our skincare routine, we saw a real difference in our redhead skin. What are the benefits?
2. Who is a good candidate for gua aha? Can this technique help those experiencing rosacea and redness?
3. Let’s talk about the gua sha tool, specifically your gua sha tool on Lanshin.com. Is the texture of the tool on purpose? The shape?
4. When should we practice gua sha?
5. How do you prep your skin for gua aha? Do you recommend certain skincare products to complement gua sha?
Before doing gua sha, the idea is to hydrate the skin, like you would the body. She uses both:
Hydrating Mist: She recommends Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator Mist
Facial Oil: She recommends Mahalo Vitality Elixir
6. What about acne prone skin? Can a redhead with acne use gua aha on their skin? Good for all skin types?
7. How is gua aha different than jade rolling?
8. What are some key parts to your daily wellness routine?
9. What is your #1 skin tip for redheads?
10. You have highly demanded classes that have expanded to the general public. When can we go?!
11. Can you have botox and do gua sha?
Listen directly below, click here to listen on iTunes or search for us wherever you listen to podcasts!
*Always consult with your doctor before introducing gua sha or any other practices into your daily health routine.
