Why and How Does Gua Sha Work?

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE RITUAL Why It Works Mount Lai tools are designed to work on the lymphatic system, address adhesions in the fascia and melt tension in the facial and jaw muscles, promoting a radiant complexion + combatting fine lines and wrinkles. How Does it Work? Continue reading to learn how this process works in the body! 01 / Why is lymphatic drainage important? The lymphatic system is a part of the immune system that helps the body get rid of toxins and waste. If the lymphatic system is not functioning well, it can result in fluid build up which may result in puffy skin. Stagnation of the lymphatic system can also lead to an increase in toxins, which can make the skin appear dull or even result in acne breakouts. 02 / What are the results of lymphatic drainage? The benefits of lymphatic drainage are two-fold. Lymphatic drainage removes toxic and congestive substances from the tissues, which allows greater absorption of nutrients. Besides aiding with lymphatic drainage, gua sha massage stimulates circulation and blood flow. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the other cells and the combination of lymphatic drainage + massage allows you to remove toxins from the tissues and absorb greater nutrients to nourish the skin. 03 / Why is using a tool better than using your hands? The beauty of Mount Lai tools is that they work on the skin without pulling. As a result, the tool is able to work on the very surface level of the skin to target the lymph system and fascia that you wouldn’t be able to target with your hands. Tools allow you to work more evenly on the entire face and target pressure points more precisely than you would get with just your hands alone. Start Your Gua Sha Practice with Mount Lai

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Q: What are the differences between warm and cool tools?

Did you know that you can use your Mount Lai facial tools cool or warm? Your skin type and the benefits you are looking for can help you determine whether you want to use your tools warm or cool. For example, drier skin types may benefit more from cooler temperatures, whereas those with oily skin can benefit from warm. Knowing what's best for your own skin can help you achieve optimal skin health. Continue reading to learn the different benefits of warm vs. cool tools! Benefits of warm tools Stones to use: Black Obsidian Ideal for acne-prone skin. Our Black Obsidian tools, for example, encourage stimulation of the lymphatic system, which helps reduce inflammation.  Great for de-puffing the skin, especially with the combination of facial massage.  Boosts circulation. Heat increases blood flow, which results in glowing skin! Stress and tension relieving. Not only will warming your tools aid in your own relaxation, but will also help relax your muscles.  Increases skin permeability. The addition of heat can aid in product absorption, and allow them to penetrate deeper into the skin.  To heat your Black Obsidian tools before use, try placing them in a bowl of warm water! Shop Warming Black Obsidian Tools  Benefits of cool tools Stones to use: Jade, Rose Quartz, and Amethyst  Minimizes the size of pores. The cooling of the tool will cause the pores to constrict, making them appear smaller. This won’t permanently reduce pore size (It’s genetic!), so it is important to use retinols and/or chemical exfoliants alongside your facial tools.  Reduces inflammation and redness. Just as you treat an injury, cold tools can alleviate inflammation by constricting blood vessels + reducing blood flow to the inflamed area.  Tightens the skin. Same effect to your pores, but can boost the lifting effect of your gua sha tool.  Enhances glow to help with dullness. Cold temperatures calm and brighten the skin. Plumps skin. Blood vessels are constricted with cold temperatures, but dilate back to normal when skin is brought back to its original state. This gives the skin a plumping effect.   To cool your tools before use, try storing them in a refrigerator! Shop Cooling Jade Tools  Shop Cooling Rose Quartz Tools  Shop Cooling Amethyst Tools  References: Ghura, Priyanka. “Hot vs Cold Temperatures: What Is Best for Maintaining Glowy, Healthy Skin?” Vogue India, Vogue India, 13 Aug. 2020. Kester, Sarah. “Washing Your Face with Cold Water: Is It Beneficial?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 25 Jan. 2021. Palmer, Angela. “Is It Possible to Shrink Large Pores?” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2021. Person. “Cold Water Therapy: Benefits of Cold Showers, Baths, Immersion Therapy.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 July 2020. “Why Does Heat Relax Your Muscles?” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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Treat Your Skin Concerns with Facial Tools - from acne to facial tension

Turn your skincare routine into a self care ritual. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to skin concerns, Mount Lai’s tools offer a wide variety of benefits and are extremely versatile. Whether you worry about dark circles, texture and acne on a day-to-day basis, our tools work with all skin types and all age ranges to enhance your skin’s radiance. Need some initial guidance in what your Mount Lai ritual might look like? Read on to see what we recommend for different skin types!   Treating Acne-prone Skin For acne prone skin, we recommend this powerful duo that soothes and de-puffs: The Black Obsidian Facial Spa Set contains our Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool and De-Puffing Facial Roller; a pairing that brings harmony and radiance. Black Obsidian is unique for its ability to naturally retain warmth, making it ideal for congested, blemish-prone skin types. The warmth of the obsidian encourages stimulation of the lymphatic system + circulation to remove toxins and absorb nutrients for clear, glowing skin.   Sensitivity + Redness To instantly soothe the skin, our De-Puffing Facial Roller is the perfect tool for sensitive skin. The art of jade rolling works to gently massage the skin and boost circulation, which can calm inflammation. Those dealing with rosacea, hyperpigmentation and sensitivity can find relief through the coolness of the stone, no matter which one you use. For an extra boost of coolness, place your tools in the Mount Lai Skincare Fridge. Cooling your tools can reduce redness, instantly revive the skin and enhance the tool’s soothing qualities.  To Naturally Lift, Contour and Sculpt the Face The practice of gua sha has been used for centuries due to its healing and detoxifying properties. Gua sha tools are fantastic for promoting lymphatic drainage and releasing facial and jaw tension. Consistent use of the gua sha tool lifts the skin and enhances facial features over time.  If you are looking for a complete gua sha ritual, try our Jade Acupressure Gua Sha Spoon and Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool for an ideal combo. Jade symbolizes eternal youth and is naturally cooling—a stone that brings harmony for those wanting to improve their complexion. Our Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool is available in four stone variations (jade, rose quartz, amethyst and black obsidian), as well as in stainless steel. Reducing Puffy Eyes To awaken and rejuvenate the eye area, the Eye Massage Tool can be used to address puffiness by gently gliding the tool around the eyelid. And for at-home spa days, place our Eye Mask flat against the skin to invigorate and soothe the eye area. Both tools are available in rose quartz and jade for a calming moment in your routine. Scalp Care The skin on our scalp is just as important as our face. Not only does using a Jade Comb provide a luxurious head massage, it also boosts circulation and reduces tension. This process can help boost hair growth and relieve headaches. Facial + Neck Tension Revive the skin and release tension with the ultimate stress relief: the Tension Melting Massager and Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool. These tools can be used for the face, neck and shoulders to deeply knead the skin and muscles. The Tension Melting Massager has over 100 facets on each roller head to hug every corner of the face, and the Gua Sha Lifting Tool has unique curves to gently scrape against tense areas for the most luxurious massage. We recommend applying your favorite skincare product before using a facial tool. A product we love is our Calming Herbal Repair Facial Massage Balm, that was made with all skin types in mind. Our balm helps enhance the glide of your Mount Lai Tools to amplify their benefits. To learn more about our tools and how to use them together, read our guide here.

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Lymphatic Drainage 101

Do you want to naturally achieve glowing skin? Lymphatic drainage can combat dull and puffy skin to give the skin a glow. Mount Lai tools are designed to work on the lymphatic system, address adhesions in the fascia and melt tension in the facial and jaw muscles, to promote a radiant complexion and combat fine lines and wrinkles. Promoting lymphatic drainage offers so many benefits, like improving both the health and the look of skin -- but what is lymphatic drainage, and why is it important?

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Tools vs. Hands - Why Tools Are Worth the Investment

For centuries, facial massage has been valued for its healing and rejuvenating effect on the skin. Although your hands are an easy tool to use for facial massage, our facial tools are specially designed to offer benefits that hands alone cannot achieve. What can your tools do that your hands cannot?

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The Science Behind Why Facial Tools ACTUALLY Work

 THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE RITUAL Mount Lai tools are designed to work on the lymphatic system, address adhesions in the fascia and melt tension in the facial and jaw muscles, promoting a radiant complexion + combatting fine lines and wrinkles.  01 / What is lymphatic drainage and why is it important? The lymphatic system is a part of the immune system that helps the body get rid of toxins and waste. If the lymphatic system is not functioning well, it can result in fluid build up which may result in puffy skin. Stagnation of the lymphatic system can also lead to an increase in toxins, which can make the skin appear dull or even result in acne breakouts. 02 / The benefits of lymphatic drainage are two-fold. Lymphatic drainage removes toxic and congestive substances from the tissues, which allows greater absorption of nutrients. Besides aiding with lymphatic drainage, gua sha massage stimulates circulation and blood flow. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the other cells and the combination of lymphatic drainage + massage allows you to remove toxins from the tissues and absorb greater nutrients to nourish the skin. 03 / Why is using a tool better than using your hands? The beauty of Mount Lai tools is that they work on the skin without pulling. As a result, the tool is able to work on the very surface level of the skin to target the lymph system and fascia that you wouldn’t be able to target with your hands. Tools allow you to work more evenly on the entire face and target pressure points more precisely than you would get with just your hands alone. 04 / Which tools do you recommend for lymphatic drainage? Our favorite tool for lymphatic drainage is the gua sha tool. Pair this with a facial roller to soothe and bring the skin back to harmony after your gua sha practice. For an amazing value, you can purchase these tools together in a gift set as a complete starting kit to facial massage. Not sure if you want an Amethyst Roller or a Jade Roller, a Jade Eye Tool or Rose Quartz Eye Tool, a gua sha tool vs. a gua sha spoon? Mount Lai offers a wide assortment of tools in various different stones. Learn more about which stone suits your needs with our Stone Quiz, and sign up with your email to receive access to our complete guide to the different types of tools we offer! Mount Lai Stones The Stone of Eternal Youth - Balancing The Stone of Love - Soothing The Stone of Tranquility - Calming The Stone of Clarity - Warming Not sure which stone is right for you? take our stone quiz →   SHOP GUA SHA TOOLS Our favorite tools for lymphatic drainage and deep tension release. SHOP FACIAL ROLLERS Great for de-puffing and soothing the skin. SHOP EYE & SPECIALTY TOOLS Special tools to treat the eyes and more.

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How to Incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine Into Your Skincare Routine With Mount Lai

Interested in incorporating the wisdom of Traditional Chinese rituals into your beauty routine for youthful, radiant skin? To learn how to incorporate centuries-old beauty tools, and healing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) botanicals like goji berry in your skincare, this guide is for you. When do you use your jade roller or gua sha tool in your routine? Where do you fit Calming Herbal Repair in your daily ritual compared to Plant Root Remedy? We’ll walk you through the order of a comprehensive skincare routine based around TCM. Before we get started, it’s important to note that there’s no need to follow every step in this routine! Do what works for you.  Step One: Cleanse The Skin Begin your routine with cleansed skin. For the nighttime, we recommend double-cleansing your skin to ensure that make-up, sunscreen, dirt and excess oil is fully removed.  Step Two: Toner Toning the skin helps make sure every last bit of dirt and excess oil are removed while still providing hydration and gentle exfoliation. Step Three: Essence Essences help the rest of your skincare products penetrate deeper into your skin and work more effectively. Use our Tremella Tonic Activating Essence Mist to supercharge your routine with plumping and hydrating TCM superfoods, hyaluronic acid and fermented black tea. Step Four: Serum As with many serums, the purpose of Calming Herbal Repair Serum Concentrate Balm is that it is the potent and powerful workhorse of the skincare routine, helping to maximize and deliver results. Calming Herbal Repair also helps prep your skin to ensure that the facial tools glide instead of pulling on the skin. It enhances the glide of your facial tools for fluid movements while nourishing your skin with nutrient-rich plant oils, butters and herbs. Step Five: Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool Built to have a firming, lifting effect on the skin, our Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool helps relieve facial and jaw tension and promotes lymphatic drainage. This tool is available in four stone variations (Jade, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Black Obsidian) as well as Stainless Steel. To promote lymphatic drainage on the scalp, use our Jade Massaging Gua Sha Comb.  Step Six: Acupressure Gua Sha Spoon The Acupressure Gua Sha Spoon is a specialized gua sha tool with many benefits. Through targeting acupressure points with precision and accuracy with its rounded point, the Acupressure Gua Sha Spoon encourages the gentle release of facial and jaw tension. Its rounded spoon side offers a more contoured massage and different facial massage feel than the classic heart shaped gua sha tool, to deeply sculpt and define facial features. Step Seven: Tension Melting Massager  A reviving beauty roller that deeply kneads the skin and muscles, all while defining the facial features. Use our Tension Melting Massager on the face, neck and body to get the most of your facial massage. We especially love this easy to use tool to relieve TMJ pain. Step Eight: Jade Textured Massaging Roller The Jade Textured Roller is designed to energize + massage the face and bring the glow back to the skin. It transforms skin from dull to glowing while still being natural, non-invasive and gentle enough that it works even for those with sensitive skin. Step Nine: De-Puffing Facial Roller The De-Puffing Facial Roller brings the skin back to harmony with its de-puffing and soothing properties. For on-the-go facial massage, our Mini De-Puffing Facial Roller is the perfect travel companion.  Step Ten: Eye Cream Use your ring finger to gently apply eye cream to the eye area. The eye area also needs to be prepped for facial massage, especially because it is the most delicate part of the skin. (e.g. wrinkles, dark circles, etc.) Step Eleven: De-Puffing Eye Massage Tool Inspired by Chinese acupressure points and designed specifically to treat the delicate skin around the eyes, the De-Puffing Eye Massage Tool helps reduce puffiness, awaken the eye area and aid in the absorption of eye cream into the skin. Step Twelve: Eye Mask Our Eye Mask provides all the benefits of a facial, all in the comfort of your own home. A luxurious treat for the eye area, perfect for soothing and de-puffing.  Step Thirteen: Moisturizer Keep the skin refreshed, moisturized and renewed by using a moisturizer. Moisturizing supports your oil glands, and keeps your skin barrier healthy.  Step Fourteen: Facial Oil As a final step, seal it all in with a nourishing and balancing facial oil. Choose Plant Root Remedy Balancing Facial Oil to support and protect the skin barrier, or Brightening Berry Vitamin C Oil to even skin tone and firm the skin.  We love to incorporate both of these facial oils into our skincare routine by using Plant Root Remedy for evening use, and Brightening Berry for the morning following with an SPF to provide the skin extra protection.  Note: Facial tools can also be used as the last step of your routine after applying a facial oil. As long as the skin is prepped with skincare, you can use your facial tools at any step of your routine. Always personalize and cater your routine to your skin’s needs!  There is no right or wrong way to organize your routine, so feel free to switch up the order based on your own personal preferences. If you have more time, incorporate more steps. If you are short on time, choose which steps make the most impact on you. We believe that skincare is self care, so simply carving out time to care for your skin is a gift to yourself. Our goal is to provide you with every day rituals that act as a breath of calmness in your busy life. Shop the Mount Lai Collection

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