Nourishing Self

Being Neighbourly x Khanh-Linh Nguyen-Trong, The Sacred Happiness

Author/ Being Neighbourly
11 February 2026

To perform at our best and achieve our goals, we must nurture both body and mind,” says Khanh-Linh Nguyen-Trong, founder of The Sacred Happiness, a method created with her father, a French physician and master of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

The method, says Nguyen-Trong, is based on the belief that health is the foundation of true success and joy. It uses Gua Sha, an ancient Chinese healing technique that involves a specialized tool being gently scraped over the surface of the skin —in her case, an amethyst Gua Sha tool, due to the stone’s natural healing and calming properties for the skin.

“Being a natural material, it’s gentle and non-reactive, making it an excellent choice for all skin types, as it does not cause allergies or irritation,” she says.

Not everyone is a believer, but according to Nguyen-Trong, gua sha offers numerous benefits by stimulating microcirculation in the skin and promoting the movement of stagnation within the body.

“Many of my clients seek Gua Sha treatments to reduce puffiness in their faces, especially after long flights or to recover quickly from jet lag—and it truly delivers results,” says Nguyen-Trong, adding that other patients seek to remove the chemicals that have been injected into their skin, which can leave behind tell-tale marks.

“Gua Sha is a fantastic method to help flush those toxins out of the face,” she shares, adding that with regular practice, it helps detoxify the skin, leading to significant improvements in skin texture. Clients often notice reduced redness, fewer wrinkles and an overall healthier and more radiant skin tone.

Though there are still many who have yet to discover its benefits, Nguyen-Trong says that she’s definitely noticed a growing interest in natural beauty methods in Hong Kong since she first set foot in the SAR 15 years ago, and that while nothing new to them, some local spas use, “overly aggressive facial techniques during Gua Sha treatments”, which she believes are not suitable for delicate facial skin.”

Nguyen-Trong says it was this that motivated her to introduce a gentler and more balanced approach that offers long-term results.

“I would encourage them [skeptics] to try it first before forming an opinion! That said, I rarely feel the need to convince those who don’t yet believe in natural healing, as many eventually come to appreciate its value,” she says.

“The body often speaks for itself, and Gua Sha-receiving clients have found lasting benefits through a more holistic and gentle approach that blends the therapeutic principles of Eastern medicine with the precision and gentleness of Western techniques.”

“Honestly, everyone, male, female, young or old, can benefit from Gua Sha! We all carry more tension in our faces than we realize. The higher your stress levels, the more tension you may hold—from frowning to TMJ [Temporomandibular joint dysfunction],” she says, adding that Gua Sha is effective for addressing these issues, and there’s no specific age to start; it’s beneficial as both a preventative and curative practice.

Nguyen-Trong offers the ‘Healing Lift Gua Sha treatment’, a 50-minute session, which focuses on both healing and beauty. Using Gua Sha techniques and acupressure points, the treatment targets the face and head area to release tension, reduces excess fluid and promotes rejuvenation. It also helps smooth wrinkles, improve skin texture and bring a natural, radiant glow to the face, and includes a relaxing neck massage to improve blood flow and further relieve stress.

The Sacred Happiness ‘Healing Lift Gua Sha treatment’ is available at LifeClinic 2-3/F The Loop, 33 Wellington Street, Central.

What’s the best work advice you have received?

 “Growing up with my father, who was a doctor, he would always tell me:
‘Without good health, you cannot reach your dreams,’ says Khanh-Linh Nguyen-Trong.

“This advice has stayed with me throughout my life, influencing not only my career but also my passions, sports competitions, travels and relationships.”

“I’m a passionate person who dreams big, so my father’s words have been invaluable. Beyond advice, he also gave me tools to maintain my health, which have shaped who I am today.”

“For example, I learned acupuncture at the age of 17, which enabled me to study abroad, travel the world, and pursue my dreams. If I ever get sick or injured, I use acupuncture and Chinese medicine techniques to heal quickly, saving time and maintaining my mental resilience.”

The Sacred Happiness

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