Care, with Astrid
Gua sha facial
A facial massage with a smooth stone and a little warm plant oil, done slowly along the face, neck and shoulders. Astrid, our licensed esthetician, leads it.
Gua sha is a gentle scraping-style massage. In a facial, the stone glides lightly over skin that has been cleansed and oiled. It is skin care, and it uses no needles.
Who usually books it: adults who want a slow, hands-on facial, people who carry tension in the jaw, neck and shoulders, and clients who add it to an acupuncture visit.
A visit, in order
What a visit is like
- 01
Step 1: Talk first
Astrid asks about your skin routine, the products you use, any sensitivities and what you would like from the hour. About ten minutes.
- 02
Step 2: Cleanse and prepare
Your skin is cleansed and a light plant oil is warmed in her hands. You lie back under a soft throw.
- 03
Step 3: Gua sha and massage
Slow strokes with the stone along the face, neck and shoulders, with a warm towel between passes. This is most of the visit.
- 04
Step 4: Rest and a few notes
A moment to sit up slowly, a glass of water and a few notes on what to use at home. The visit takes about an hour.
What you may feel afterward
Afterward your skin may look a little pink and feel warm. That usually fades the same day. Some people feel sleepy, so plan a calm evening.
Before you book
Tell us first
Tell us about any of these when you book or at the start of your visit. We will explain what we change.
Allergies
Oils, nuts, fragrance or any skin-care ingredient that has ever bothered you.
Skin conditions
Rosacea, eczema, active breakouts or anything you see a doctor about.
Recent procedures
Fillers, wrinkle-relaxer injections, laser, a peel or microneedling in the past few weeks.
Blood thinners
Or skin that bruises easily. Astrid will use lighter pressure.
Pregnancy
Some oils and positions change. Tell us when you book.
Sunburn or open skin
We will reschedule rather than work over it.
How many visits, and what this does not do
Some clients come once for an occasion, and some come every few weeks. Astrid suggests a rhythm after your first visit, and it is your call.
What it does not do
Gua sha is skin care. It does not treat a skin condition, change the shape of your face or replace a dermatologist's care, and we make no promise about how your skin will look. Results vary.
When to see a doctor instead
See a doctor or dermatologist for a rash that spreads, a mole that changes, skin that is hot, swollen or painful, or any sign of infection.
Next step
Book this visit, or ask a question first
Tell us which visit you are curious about and when you are free. We reply by phone or email to find a time.