Face rollers are famous tools that people use for skin benefits. According to many studies, it can improve the circulation, tighten the skin, and even reduce puffiness around eyes. Many face rollers are made up of a crystal, like jade or quartz. They have a handle with a smooth roller at one end. Usually, they have a smooth, cold surface and you can buy them in different materials. Just like face roller, a gua sha works quite similarly for your skin. A gua sha is also a natural and alternative skin therapy in which you have to scrape the skin with a massaging tool to improve the blood circulation.
While using gua sha, an expert has to scrape your skin using short or long moves to regulate circulation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow. They do these strokes with a smooth-edged instrument known as a gua massage tool. The expert also applies a massage oil to your skin, before using this tool to scrape your skin in a downward motion. Onlymyhealth editorial team talked to Dermatologist Dr. Nivedita Dadu, Dr. Nivedita Dermatology clinic, about the benefits and side effects of face rollers and Gua sha.
Benefits of face rollers and Gua sha
According to Dr. Nivedita, here are the main benefits of using face rollers or gua sha:
1. Improves blood circulation
Face rolling or using gua sha is a natural way of massaging your face at home, without using fingers. They open up the skin tissues and improve blood circulation, if done with the right pressure. There is a prominent increase in skin blood flow after applying a massage roller on the face.
2. Enhances mood
According to a study, face rollers and gua sha relax the nervous system, this improving your mood. A good facial massage is considered beneficial in enhancing one's mood. It has the power to make your feel refreshed and calm from the inside.
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3. Reduces puffiness around eyes
Some people use face rollers to reduce puffiness, specifically around the eyes. Puffiness in the face mostly happens because of the fluid collection in a few parts. By massaging the face with gentle pressure, it might be possible to spread this fluid. Chilling a face roller in the refrigerator can help in enhancing this benefit of reducing under eye puffiness.
4. Tightens the skin
There is also a strong link between a firm, tight skin and usage of face rollers or gua sha on the face. You can easily massage the skin tissue at home and tighten your skin as well. It is one of the best benefits of using these skin therapies. In fact, it will also make your skin more smooth and soft.
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Side effects of face rollers and Gua sha
According to Dr. Nivedita, here are the main side effects of using face rollers or gua sha:
1. Brushing or minor bleeding
As a natural remedy, gua sha is very safe. It is not painful, but the therapy can rarely change the appearance of your skin. Because of the rubbing or scraping on the skin using a massage tool, tiny blood vessels known as capillaries near the surface of your skin can burst. This can lead to minor skin bruising or bleeding. Bruising mostly goes away within a day or two. However, the chances of this happening are less if you do it under an expert's guidance.
2. Skin redness
Skin redness is a absolutely a normal reaction after using face rollers or gua sha. It mostly disappears within a few hours. The best way manage the skin redness is to use the roller before bedtime at night. And in most people, the skin will go back to normal by next morning. This side effect is common and occurs in most people. Therefore, make sure not to put much pressure on the skin while using it.
3. Inflammation
This can happen with people who have a sensitive skin, especially when using with too much firm pressure whilst rolling, but it should start going away after a few hours. Because using a gua sha or face roller can aggravate skin inflammation, it is important not to use them on inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea. Inflammation on the face is an uncommon side effect of face rollers and Gua sha.
So, these were the benefits and side effects of using face rollers and Gua sha by Dr. Nivedita Dadu. Almost all skin treatments come with some minor side effects and so do these two. However, if used properly under and expert's supervision, you can avoid these setbacks as well. Face rollers and Gua sha are almost the same and provide similar benefits for your skin. You can use these therapies on your face once in a while.
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