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Frequently Asked Questions
Treatments
Are your rituals safe to practice when feeling unwell?
As Hayo’u rituals have been designed to encourage self-healing, they can be particularly useful in times of illness. Please note that the Hayo’u Method is not a substitute for the advice of your GP.
What side effects might I experience?
It is not uncommon to suffer from a healing crisis. This is when the body reacts to the treatment. You may experience extreme tiredness, headaches or cold sweats and feel more emotional than usual.
Can I combine it with other treatments?
Yes! But always consult a doctor as everyone has very individual and sometimes complex health issues. Chinese medicine often works hand in hand with Western medicine and complements the healing process.
How long until I notice a difference?
Within a few days of practicing the Hayo’u Method, you’re likely to notice a marked improvement in your general wellbeing and energy levels. The more you practice, the more you’ll benefit. Try it for a week and you’ll feel the cumulative effects on your stress levels. Try it for a month and you’ll feel calmer, rested and reinvigorated.
How do I make sure I'm using my gua sha tools correctly, without causing damage to my skin?
Please be reassured, it’s very difficult to damage your skin with this time-old technique. Before you try gua sha for the first time, read the instruction leaflet inside the packaging and watch the short video on the product page of this site. Go easy to start with and watch how your skin responds before continuing. Please note, gua sha should not be performed over broken skin, varicose veins, moles, cuts or bruises.
It looks pretty drastic! Am I doing something wrong?
It is totally normal (and useful) for your skin to show redness. Follow the instructions, retreat only once redness has subsided and notice the reduction in the levels of redness following each treatment.
Why do you use Jade?
Jade is a cleansing stone used in Chinese medicine for centuries to aid the body’s filtration and lymph system to encourage expulsion of toxins. Xiuyan jade is named after its place of origin in Liaoning Province, in northeast China, where the origins of jade-carving can be traced back more than 5,000 years. It is a natural stone that is hard wearing, difficult to scratch and polishes to a silky, smooth finish. Our Beauty Restorer is hand cut using traditional Chinese jade-carving techniques and each one is quality checked before being packed in the UK.
Which direction should I stroke the tool on my neck to help lymphatic drainage?
So, ONE of the purposes of facial gua sha is to clear lymph. If you want to focus on this then you concentrate more on stroking downwards. This is because our lymph drains into an area called “terminus” in the little dips right above the middle of each collarbone. The direction of the lymphatic pathways on the face are from the centre of the face, out toward the hairline, so we want to move all of the waste to the outer edges of the face and then sweep it all down the neck to dump it above the collarbone. Don’t worry too much, if you then want to also work upwards, that is not going to undo your hard work. Lymph cannot move on its own, but it will naturally move towards the area of the body it is supposed to. Only muscular contraction can move lymph, which is one of the reasons a sedentary lifestyle is so harmful.
What’s the difference between a gua sha tool and a jade roller?
If you are a jade roller fan, you’ll probably already be clued up on all the incredible benefits of jade. We believe our jade tool delivers an even deeper and more specific treatment to the face and neck. Using a Gua Sha tool allows you to work deeper into the muscles and fascia for a more effective tension release. The treatment removes any buildup of lactic acid and encourages lymphatic drainage. The curved points are used to activate specific acupressure points on the face and ensure good Qi flow. It’s the next level of beauty treatment. In fact, the Jade roller was traditionally used after facial Gua Sha to calm the skin after the real work had been done!
Is it normal to get breakouts when I start facial gua sha?
Gua sha encourages the skin to purge out toxins, so breakouts are to be expected - it’s a good sign.
What can I do if the Body Restorer is too harsh for my body
Our jade Beauty Restorer is gentler than the metal and you can press as gently as you like.
What if I find the Beauty Restorer is too harsh on my face?
Start with one stroke per area and build up slowly. Once you have the tool you have it for life, so you can go really slowly and build up - there’s no rush!
Can I practice facial gua sha alongside LED therapy?
You should absolutely be able to use the Beauty Restorer alongside a home LED device as part of your existing skincare routine. We always advise to start really gently with the jade and to gauge your skins reaction. This would be especially important if the LED treatment leaves your skin sensitive in any way.
Can I gua sha over my top lip?
The beauty restorer works by increasing circulation and stimulating collagen production in the area that you gua sha, therefore the top lip is a great place to gua sha. If you imagine a line down the middle of your face and then mirror the actions. You can actually go any way that feels good, but we’d recommend starting in the middle and stroking outwards, first on one side and then the other.
Can I gua sha the soles of my feet?
Yes! On the feet, metal works better. The soles of the feet are one of the most conductive parts of the body, and the theory is that you can ground yourself by press stroking metal on the soles of the feet to ground yourself. In Chinese medicine, we would gua sha the soles of the feet with metal to draw the energy downwards before sleep. The Body Restorer is great to use with its smooth curved edges.
Will using the beauty restorer on facial veins cause more damage?
When you have facial veins it is best not to do the “press stroke” technique and to use the tool in a different way. Just hold the stone over the affected area and allow it to warm up naturally. Then turn it over and repeat. Rather than using the rounded edge of the tool, use the flat stone and gently sweep along the contours of the face. We would then advise that you very gently press stroke the rounded edge of the stone over the décolletage area to allow heat to come out at chest level rather than travelling up into the veins. If you also have veins of the chest then do it over the sternum where the heart is. We’d recommend using the oil as the ingredients work very well for facial veins.
I have Melasma, can I practice gua sha?
As well as sun, Melasma can also come from acne scars, hormone imbalance, chickenpox – although sun exposure is the most common cause. Skin pigmentation can be a signpost to organ issues and imbalances in our body. In Chinese medicine, pigmentation issues are linked to Liver, Kidneys and Spleen. When these organs are deficient you get brown spots (Liver) or yellow spots (Spleen) or a dark grey skin tone (Kidneys). If you have all three, that can be a sign of deficiency in all three. This doesn’t mean you have a physical problem with any of your organs, just that they are energetically out of balance. We’ve got some useful articles on our website if you’d like to know more. Gua sha is often cited to help lighten or reduce Melasma – it’s definitely worth giving it a try and there are no known contraindications. As always, start gently and slowly and build up over time.
Health
Do your products contain sunscreen?
No
Won't oils clog my skin?
Sebum and dirt are more likely to clog pores than oil. Light oils should aid the skins natural oil content and keep skin protected. It may feel counter-intuitive to be slathering oil all over your face, particularly if you have an oily complexion already. But it sinks in quickly to your skin and is unbelievably moisturising. You can use the oil as a standalone natural skincare product before bed, or as lubricant for a gua sha facial.
I have rosacea / sensitive skin, can I use Hayo'u products?
Chinese medicine excels in the treatment of skin conditions, because it tackles the root cause as well as the symptoms. Check with your health care professional first for advice. You should not perform gua sha over affected skin, but you can work all the way around it which will help.
I am having chemotherapy. Is it safe to gua sha?
Gua sha is a method of purging toxicity out of the body - and as you have a lot of chemicals in your system you may get a stronger reaction than most. It’s a really good and healthy thing but can feel quite extreme, so go slow and find what works for you. Gua sha protects cells from dying, which is the opposite of what chemotherapy is trying to achieve, so you shouldn’t have treatment 48 hours before or 24 hours after a chemotherapy treatment. Outside of this timeframe, you can continue gua sha for its anti-inflammatory and cell protective effects.
Can I gua sha over facial veins?
When you have facial veins, it is best not to do the “press stroke” technique and to use the tool in a different way. Just hold the jade stone over the affected area and allow it to warm up naturally. Then turn it over and repeat. Rather than using the rounded edge of the tool, use the flat edge of the jade stone and gently sweep along the contours of the face.
I’ve just had Botox. Can I practice gua sha?
The Beauty Restorer can be used on all untreated areas of your face, to even out the difference between the Botox and untreated skin. We recommend avoiding the treated area for 28 days after dermal filler treatment or Profhilo and 14 days after Botox. You can continue to use gua sha tools on other areas of your face.
What is the difference between a jade roller and your tool?
If you are a jade roller fan, you’ll probably already be clued up on all the incredible benefits of jade. We believe our jade stone delivers an even deeper and more specific treatment to the face and neck. Using our Jade gua sha tool allows you to work deeper into the muscles and fascia for deeper tension release. The treatment removes any build-up of lactic acid and encourages lymphatic drainage. The curved points are used to activate specific acupressure points on the face and ensure good qi flow. It’s the next level of beauty treatment. Indeed, the Jade roller was traditionally used after facial gua sha to calm the skin after the real work had been done!
I’m over 60. Why does your disclaimer say I shouldn’t practice gua sha?
You should have absolutely no problem at all using the Beauty Restorer on your face, indeed we hope you’ll find it both beneficial and relaxing. The over 60 warning actually pertains to performing gua sha on the body with the Body Restorer. This is simply because, over a certain age, the likelihood of having health issues can increase – and there may be a contraindication that means gua sha is not suitable for you. As we are unable to see all our customers personally, we advise them to check with a GP just to be on the safe side. This is because we are unable to accept legal responsibility for self-treatment. If you are not suffering any major health concerns, you should be absolutely fine to practice the Hayo’u Method in its entirety. If you are, treatment will most likely still be fine, but you should seek advice from a medical professional. Alternatively, Katie will be happy to advise you from a Chinese medicine perspective, but please note, we cannot accept any medical liability. As with everyone, we’d advise you to start slowly and gently and take it from there. And we are here if you have any questions or concerns.
General
Is jade a finite resource? What is your justification for using it?
Jade will naturally reproduce over time, but it is a finite resource, yes. However, we offer a sustainable product that will last forever, that doesn’t require replenishment, and that doesn’t require any plastics. We believe this is much kinder to the environment than damaging disposable beauty products.
Is jade mining detrimental to the environment / local community?
You may be aware that many jade mines in Myanmar are proving destructive on both a human and an environmental level. It’s vital that if you purchase jade, you know its provenance. Please rest assured, that all our jade is ethically mined in China, providing business and support to the local community. We work closely with our factory and visit them regularly to ensure ethical practices. We have signed paperwork from the suppliers of our products in this regard.
Are your products suitable for those taking anti-depressants or suffering from depression or anxiety?
Often depression and anxiety is an emotional held in the chest area. All our rituals enable you to self-treat and clear this emotional stagnation hence can only be beneficial to your healing process. If you have any concerns, please consult your doctor.
Are your rituals safe to practice when pregnant?
Pregnant women should avoid gua sha unless performed by a professional practitioner. This is because certain acupressure points on the face and on the body can trigger uterine contraction. To be safe, it would be also wise to avoid massage on the back and abdomen during pregnancy.
Is it safe to gua sha whilst I’m on my period?
We advise you to avoid performing gua sha during menstruation. This is only because the increased blood circulation may have an effect on how heavy your flow is.
How do we know it works?
All our rituals are based on the ancient healing wisdom of Classical Chinese Medicine. The techniques include qigong, mindful breathing exercises, tui na, gua sha and mineral bathing. You’ll find all the information you could need in the Discover section of our website.
What if someone wants to have a 1-1 with Katie as a private consultation?
Founder Katie is available for a limited number of private consultations. If you are interested in this, please contact us at info@hayoumethod.com.
Is it safe to bathe after gua sha?
Chinese wisdom advocates bathing first and gua sha after.
Where are your products manufactured?
Our Body and Beauty Restorers are made in China by Chinese Medicine specialists. Our oils and bathing minerals are made in Somerset by a highly reputable manufacturer of natural beauty & bathing products.
What is your stance on animal testing?
None of our products have been tested on animals.
How 'clean' are your oils and bathing products?
Our natural skin care products do not contain phthalates, sulphates, petrochemicals, parabens, GMOS, mineral oils, petrolatum, propylene glycol or synthetic colours and fragrances.
Can you guarantee that your factories adhere to ethical practices?
Yes, we have visited factory and workshop premises and signed paperwork in this regard directly with the suppliers of our products.
I have seen similar products online, why are your gua sha tools more expensive?
We are often asked this question, as alternative ‘jade’ tools are available cheaply elsewhere online. However, these gua sha tools are almost always composite jade, which contains plastic or glass. You get what you pay for! If you are considering purchase of a cheap jade tool online, we’d recommend contacting the manufacturer first for proof of authenticity. Jade varies hugely in quality. The Beauty Restorer is hand carved from 100% Xiuyan Jade. It is a type of jade stone that comes from a region of China renowned for the best quality jade in the world. 100% jade is much rarer than composite. You can tell it’s real because it is really smooth, it will differ slightly in colour as it is natural, cold to touch and doesn’t break easily. There’s an easy rule to follow – if it’s cheap, it’s probably not real jade. Many of the cheaper versions on the market are actually made from glass and infused with dye to match the colour of the jade stone. Research studies show that certified jade crystal radiates far-infrared rays, invisible waves of energy that have the ability to penetrate all layers of tissues, muscles and bone in the human body. These rays are believed to be deeply healing, increasing oxygenation and regeneration of the blood. This is why the Chinese revered true jade as a healing crystal - and why we use 100% certified jade to make our gua sha tools. Our tool has been handcrafted in order to guarantee a smoother and thicker face massager that is comfortable and will not drag the delicate skin of the face. The Beauty Restorer is carefully curved to ensure optimum gua sha treatment. It has been certified CE registered, to guarantee safe use and comply with EU regulations. We regularly visit our factories in China to ensure that our products and production chain adhere to the highest ethical standards.
