Gua Sha and Crystal Massage: Techniques for Healthy and Glowing Skin

To the uninitiated, gua sha may seem like another trend in the skin-care zeitgeist. But with roots in traditional Chinese medicine, the centuries-old practice has stood the test of time. This title shows how gua sha is accessible to anyone with a few modest tools and a bit of instruction. Expert facialist Polier breaks it down to fundamentals in this easy-to-follow handbook, while respecting its cultural origins. Over a soothing palette of pastel backgrounds, line drawings demonstrate each facial massage technique. Accompanying text gives step-by-step instructions, suggests tools, and explains how the practices can affect desired cosmetic results as well as overall health. The easygoing tone is like a spa day in book form. Multiple mentions of specific Eastern practitioners and philosophical texts lend credence to the theories and give credit to the practice’s original masters. A brief bibliography suggests further reading, and an index directs readers to explore targeted concerns like acne or smoothing wrinkles.