Kansa Wands: Everything to Know About This Ancient Ayurvedic Skincare Tool
Few skincare techniques give our skin as much instant life as facial massages. These circulation-boosting, skin-soothing practices have been trending as of late, but many—from gua sha to jade rolling—have been around for centuries, even thousands of years. One such facial massage uses a skincare tool called the Kansa wand, an Ayurvedic tool that dates back to India over 5,000 years.
Kansa wands have many benefits for all skin types—from reducing puffiness to balancing skin’s pH and encouraging lymphatic drainage—that make them worthy of a coveted spot in your skincare routine. Want to learn more about Kansa wands? We chatted with Michelle Ranavat, founder of RANAVAT and Ayurvedic skincare and haircare pro about this skin-loving, glow-boosting tool.
Here’s how Ranavat uses the Kansa wand to help treat dark circles:
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About the Expert:
Michelle Ranavat is founder of Ayurvedic skincare and haircare brand RANAVAT.
What Is a Kansa Wand?
First, a little lesson in Ayurvedic skincare. Ayurvedic skincare is part of the ancient Indian Ayurvedic system, one of the world’s oldest forms of holistic medicine that focuses on cleansing the body and bringing balance to the body, mind, and spirit. In Ayurveda, five elements combine in various ways to make up three doshas or life forces of the body (called vatta, pitta, and kapha), with each person having their own dominant dosha. Ayurvedic skincare, like Ayurvedic medicine, takes a holistic approach to restore and maintain the dominant dosha’s balance. The Kansa wand is one such tool used to do this.
Ranavat explains, “The Kansa wand is an Ayurvedic facial massage tool, originating over 5,000 years ago (it actually predates both the gua sha tool and jade roller!). The word Kansa in Sanskrit means ‘bell metal.’ It’s considered a sacred metal as it is used to make Tibetan gongs.”
When it comes to Kansa wands, metal composition means everything, as it carries with it a host of skincare benefits. Ranavat says, “This mixed metal has extraordinary health properties and was initially used in India as tableware to purify drinking water and assist with digestion. It eventually popularized as a facial tool when it was discovered that it warmed up on the skin upon massage and offered numerous benefits.”
So, How Do You Use a Kansa Wand?
Like all types of face massage, technique matters. Ranavat shares the best way to use the Kansa wand below. But first, a couple of things to note. If the Kansa wand makes your skin a little gray, don’t freak out! Ranavat says, “This is a chemical reaction due to the acidity on the skin, and it washes right off.” When you’re ready to start, “Be sure to dedicate at least 10 to 15 minutes to this ritual to experience the full benefits.”
• “First, apply a facial oil onto cleansed skin. It’s important to use the right facial oil to really increase the impact of your treatment.” (Ranavat recommends the Brightening Saffron Serum for its “incredible antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and clinically proven ability to even skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.”)
• “Next, I start by massaging our Kansa wand in small counterclockwise circles in the middle of my forehead and repeat the same movement in a clockwise direction.”
• “Then, I follow with figure-eight and zig-zag patterns. I find that my masseter muscles get super tight during the work week, so I like to massage each side of my jawline in a circular motion. I finish by going down from my ear towards my chin, and back along my jaw to my ear lobe.”
How Does a Kansa Wand Work?
Stress happens—from daily life to big events—and it can have an effect on many aspects of your health, including your skin. Ranavat says facial massage with the Kansa wand can help address its effects. “The Kansa wand helps to release stress and tension built up over the course of the day. It's a calming and soothing ritual that also helps to smooth lines and depuff the skin.”
The Kansa wand can also majorly boost your glow. Ranavat says, “[Its metal] neutralizes acidity on the skin due to its alkaline properties, helping to balance skin’s pH levels, increase blood circulation, and promote oxygen flow to the surface of the skin. This creates a beautiful natural glow after use!”
How Often Should You Use It?
It’s so soothing, you'll want to use it every day—and according to Ranavat, that’s OK! “You can use the Kansa wand both morning and evening. I like using it first thing in the [morning] to help depuff and brighten the skin before applying my skincare and makeup. And on days that I need a little extra help to depuff, I ice the wand tip and gently massage it on the undereye area to depuff and brighten.”
What Should You Look for When Buying a Kansa Wand?
Ready to add a Kansa wand to your routine? Like all skincare products and tools, it’s important to beware of fakes. Before you shop, Ranavat says, “I would be sure to invest in an authentic Kansa wand because quality is important when it comes to anything you put on your skin. It should be made exclusively of copper and aluminum, and nothing else.”
If you’re looking for the real deal, shop RANAVAT Kansa Wand Detoxifying Facial Massage Tool, that according to Ranavat, “is actually produced in a small village in India by a family who has over 900 years of experience working with Kansa metal.” The brand’s best seller is a pure Kansa wand made from copper and tin to help detoxify skin, balance pH, calm irritation, and more.
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