Jade roller may be 2017's most buzzed-about beauty buy, but what most don't know is that this radiance-boosting, cheekbone-defining, detoxifying gem is nothing new. In fact, what is now a favorite among spa owners, wellness editors, top models and self-proclaimed beauty addicts is actually more than a thousand years old and was once reserved only for the Chinese royalties.
"Jade's non-invasive rolling action and the healing properties of the stone are rooted in ancient medicinal tradition," explains Leila Carter, founder of Jade Roller Beauty. "This ancient medicinal practice has been an integral part of total body health since the 7th century. It's only now that Western spa culture is waking up to the laundry list of its holistic benefits."
Curious? Here we sat down with Carter to learn more about jade rollers and their benefits.
Dermstore: What is a jade roller and how does it work?
Leila Carter: The jade roller is a beauty tool made of authentic and beautiful jade stone which is rolled across the skin for complexion-perfecting purposes.
Just like working out, jade rolling can offer esthetic and health benefits. Jade rolling feels like a tension-relieving, relaxing facial massage which helps to drain lymphatic fluid that is held stagnant beneath the tissue. This fluid acts as a “bath water” of sorts for the cells, refreshing and replenishing nutrients.
But if the lymph system is not in motion, this fluid can hold onto toxins and tension held in our face by jaw clenching and everyday facial expressions from stressors, causing blockages. Jade rolling gets things moving again, opening these blockages and aligning the system to boost circulation, cell turnover and promote healing, holistically. By allowing the facial tissue to deeply relax, we can move this fluid out and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
By flushing the toxins out of the body via the lymphatic drainage and releasing the blockages in the tissues, it also allows the flow of lymph and energy (chi) in the meridian system, achieving harmony and balance. Many clients describe their jade rolling experience as “uplifting” for their cheekbones and jawline and “brightening” for their complexion.
D: What are the benefits of using a jade roller? What skin concerns will it ultimately treat?
LC: Think of jade rolling like a workout for your face and neck. It boosts circulation, tones the muscles, stimulates collagen production, flushes out toxins and can even help your serums get absorbed faster and work better. There are so many signs of aging that can be relieved by revitalizing the flow of lymph and stimulating the skin with jade rolling. By draining excess fluid, jade rollers can visibly uplift the cheekbones, tone the face and reduce puffiness and inflammation, one of the root causes of aging. It can also smooth fine lines, tighten sagging skin, increase cell turnover rate and diminish dark under-eye circles.
D: Are all jade rollers the same? How can you tell a good one from a bad one?
LC: All jade rollers are not created equal. Many on the market are made of plastic and contain harsh dyes, some are sourced unethically. Authentic jade stone will always feel cool to the touch.
Jade Roller Beauty sources its tools from China, using jade stones of the highest quality and 100% dye-free.
D: Is there more than one way to use a jade roller? Does the technique vary per skin concern?
LC: There are so many ways to use a jade roller!
For Plumping, De-Puffing and Toning the Cheekbones: Use the Jade Roller SPA with our JRB Lymphatic Drainage technique, moving lymph towards the outer edge of the face, then down the neck, before working your way in. Use consistently, day and night.
For Fine Lines and Sagging skin: Use the Jade Roller PRO model along with a hyaluronic acid serum. Any model of jade roller can be used over serums to help them work better, but the PRO model distributes pressure to smooth fine lines. Unlike Botox which literally paralyzes the muscles in the face, the idea here is to move stagnant lymph and relieve the stress patterns that are held in the muscles of the face as well.
For Puffy Eyes and Dark Under-Eye Circles: Use the roller first thing in the morning, straight out of the fridge for an extra cooling and blood vessel–constricting result. Follow the JRB lymph-drainage technique.
For Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) or jaw clenching pain: Use the small side of the roller to work knots out above and below the jawline, working from the chin out toward the ear and down the neck.
For Headaches: Use the large and small side of the roller on the temples and scalp for instant relief.
For Nasal Congestion: Use the smaller side of the roller to work from either side of the bridge of the nose, sweeping out towards the ear. Pause and apply pressure to points on the outside of each nostril before sweeping again. Move down the neck following each stroke to drain lymph.
D: How often should you use a jade roller for best results? And when’s the best time to use it?
LC: We encourage use daily and nightly with your skin care routine, at least. The massage portion of any skin care routine should be five to ten minutes, and when you use your jade roller, it is best to use it over a serum in the morning (then follow with an SPF moisturizer), and if you choose to use a mask at night, it can be used over the masque to boost skin healing and elastin production.
The Jade Beauty Roller is designed as an on-the-go model, so you can jade roll whenever you please! Just don’t jade roll over your makeup.
D: In your experience, how fast were you able to see results?
LC: Jade rolling will show you an instant reduction in the appearance of fine lines when used with a serum, however the most noticeable instant result is an afterglow, a feeling of refreshed lightness, relieved tension and deep facial relaxation. Like we say in the holistic esthetics world, “No flow, no glow!”
D: What skin care products should you use with your jade roller?
LC: Any serum or product that you roll over will help boost effectivity because of the fact that you are trapping it there. So we encourage an acute attention to the ingredient list of the products in your skin care arsenal.
D: Any other tips on how to make the most out of your jade roller?
LC: We see the jade roller as the perfect beauty tool to empower people to put themselves first again. Use it as a self-care aid and be proactive with it as your go-to health tool. The health of the lymph system is drastically important to your overall health, beauty and mental well-being. Equip yourself and align your health.
