Celebrity esthetician Biba de Sousa, whose client repertoire includes Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus, recently came out with a Meta Facial® Fascia Tool for face and body. The tool, not unlike gua sha, stimulates lymphatic drainage and releases fascia (also known as connective tissue). The practice of releasing fascia can result in reduced puffiness and pain, as well as increased skin elasticity. I had the pleasure of putting all these claims to the test.
As someone who enjoys the of art gua sha in my routine, I wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with how to use the tool. This ritual is best done after cleansing and before serums and moisturizers. It’s important to apply something with slip on the skin, or else the tool will tug at it; I use Prequel’s Pre-Gleanse oil cleanser, but you can also use squalane oil or any noncomedogenic moisturizer.
The shape of the Fascia tool is a bit more complex than that of a typical gua sha tool; it contains ridges that gently target muscle knots, and is ergonomically shaped for comfort during use.
I like to have the map of the facial lymphatic system in front of me when I use face tools like this so I can remember where to place the tool. The gist is that you’re using the stone to gently massage the face and encourage drainage that may be causing puffiness and tension. The most satisfying part for me is always the jawline – if you subconsciously clench your jaw, using the tool here is pure heaven.
De Sousa’s website includes instructions on how to use the tool, starting with the sternum and ending at the hairline. In addition to the face, the Fascia Tool can be used on the scalp and body, too. Personally, I mainly use it on my face; the massage it provides is heavenly after a long day of concentration, or whenever you want to release tension. I saw a noticeable difference after my first use of the tool – my cheekbones looked sharper, and the massage provided a glow due to increase blood flow.
“I really respect and practice all three disciplines – lymphatic drainage, accupressure and fascia release – that inspired my Fascia Tool,” says de Sousa. “They’re simple and safe to use at home. I wanted to combine all three into one easy, effective tool for everyday self-care.”
The Meta Facial® Fascia Tool is the perfect way to experience the benefits of acupressure at home – no esthetician appointment required.
