The beauty industry is one that sees a lot of fads come and go. The latest trends emerge, usually promoted by an Instagram influencer or a celebrity, and then everyone has to go out and try it for themselves, usually for a hefty price. One of these trends in recent years has been the use of crystals for a wide range of applications, and the healing abilities they are thought to have.

One treatment that has come out of this is the gemstone facial, but is it just a fad or does it have real benefits to it? Read on to find out more.

What is a gemstone facial?

A gemstone facial is part facial and part massage, and some treatments also incorporate acupuncture and even facial cupping. Typically, you lie on your back and certain gemstones are placed on the chakras or along the meridians on your face. These are points or lines of energy along the body, and meditative practices often focusing on opening the chakras to keep you in balance.

Various lotions or serums may be applied to the skin as part of the actual facial part of a gemstone facial. Another common technique that may be used is rolling, where a gemstone roller is used to massage the face. And, as mentioned, acupuncture and/or cupping may also be incorporated.

Gemstones that are commonly used include:

• Jade
• Quartz
• Rose quartz
• Amethyst
• Aquamarine
• Apatite

And this isn’t all a new age treatment; the use of gemstones goes back at least centuries, particularly in China. And a traditional Chinese medicine technique called gua sha may also be incorporated in gemstone facials, which uses a gemstone to lightly scrape the skin, although evidence supporting the benefits of this is limited.

The benefits of gemstone facials

You don’t have to believe in the “magical” properties of crystals and gemstones to benefit from a gemstone crystal. The massage techniques used are nice and relaxing and help to increase circulation to the face, which is beneficial for the skin as more oxygen-rich blood is delivered to it. These techniques can help with sculpting and lifting the face, and are combined with facial treatments and skincare products to produce glowing, younger-looking skin. Certain techniques used may also help to remove toxins from the skin.

In terms of the gemstones themselves, they have a very cooling and often soothing effect when placed on the skin. Some are thought to have purifying effects that help to clear toxins from your body. In fact, zeolite filters have been used to reduce nuclear waste at certain sites.

If you’re interested in trying a gemstone facial for yourself, then contact Moonstone Massage to find out more or go online to book an appointment with us in Winston Salem, NC.