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Think gua sha and you’ll think of the painful TCM therapy that leaves your back with awful bruises for weeks. This Chinese therapy is known for stimulating blood circulation and detoxification in order to achieve overall wellness for the body.

What you may not be so familiar with is gua sha facial. Like the famous TCM body therapy, this uses a smooth instrument to “scrape” across the face. But, thankfully, unlike the traditional gua sha body treatment, it isn’t painful and doesn’t leave any unsightly bruises on skin at all.

To find out more about gua sha facial treatment, we spoke to Grace, founder of Geranium Skin & Hair Boutique. Geranium Skin & Hair Boutique has been a long-time practitioner of gua sha facial treatment. They’re so well-known for their Gua Sha Fusion Treatment, it has been nominated for a spa award recently.

Grace explains that the Gua Sha Fusion Treatment by Geranium adopts TCM techniques, combined with pharmaceutical-grade products from SkinCeuticals, to achieve supple skin and a more defined face contour. “Like your feet, there are acupressure points on your face,” she explains, drawing a parallel between foot reflexology and the Gua Sha Fusion Treatment.

“By stimulating these acupressure points on your face, the treatment is able to help you achieve a lifting and tightening effect, as well as lymphatic drainage for overall detoxification, including for your internal organs,” she adds.

How is the gua sha facial treatment like?

We understand from Geranium Skin & Hair Boutique that the Gua Sha Fusion Treatment wasn’t going to be painful or leave any marks. But we don’t want to just take their word for it – we want to try it for ourselves to be 100% sure about it.

Unlike most facial treatments that kick off their session with cleansing, my therapist Miko began with a relaxing scalp massage. I was told that the massage doesn’t just help me to relax, it also helps improve blood circulation so that my skin is more receptive to the therapy that was to follow afterwards.

I appreciate the thought behind it, because I like the idea of stepping out of the facial cabin, not just looking more refreshed, but also feeling more rejuvenated.

After double cleansing, Miko used an enzyme exfoliator on my skin, and then proceeded with extraction – another technique that Geranium Skin & Hair Boutique is known for. Instead of using a steamer, they believe in using natural products to soften skin. Miko was patient and meticulous with the extraction, and while there’s slight discomfort at areas where there are stubborn clogging, my overall experience with the extraction was pleasant.

A cold press infused with essential oils is administered on the skin after extraction; this helps calm and soothe my skin so there’s no pain or redness.

Then, Miko picked up a smooth and cooling tool and began the gua sha technique on my face. Pressing the tool firmly on my skin and gliding it smoothly and precisely across it, the procedure felt more like a firm but soothing massage on my face and definitely wasn’t painful at all.

Miko focused mainly on my jawline and around my eye contours. I understand that these will help lift my facial contours to create the appearance of a V-shaped face, and also to help my eye contours look more lifted.

After completing one side of my face, Miko passed me a mirror. I noticed that the side where she worked on felt firmer and sharper, and when I smiled, my laugh line is less obvious.

Miko finished the entire facial with a mask on my entire face, as well as neck and lips. I was also given a scalp massage with specially blended essential oils that helped to melt my fatigue away. It was very therapeutic.

Did it work?

I was pleased with the treatment and can attest that this is absolutely comfortable and doesn’t leave any marks. I left Geranium Skin & Hair Boutique feeling more relaxed than before, but more importantly, my skin felt hydrated and supple, and with an obvious radiance. My jawline also looked more taut and lifted.

The 2-hour Gua Sha Fusion Treatment is available at SGD420, but first-time customers get to enjoy it at 40% off.

Geranium Skin & Hair Boutique is best known for their skilful extraction and gua sha face techniques. It is located at 26 Horne Road, BH Building #01-01 (near Lavender MRT station).

Call 6294-2581 for appointments or visit their Facebook page for more information.

This article is brought to you by Geranium.