As a beauty writer, I’ve never come across a facial device or treatment that I don’t want to try. I’m always experimenting with the latest trending beauty trends, tools, and ingredients. And while it seems like new products and devices worth talking about are announced every day, sometimes ancient tools and techniques come back into the spotlight to remind us why they still exist. in some cases. So when I was tasked with trying out the centuries-old art of facial cupping, I was excited to find out what all the buzz was about.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a treatment that uses suction to stimulate the skin, muscles, and blood flow. It is a practice that dates back hundreds of years and is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. dating back to ancient Egypt. It can be performed on the face and body to treat pain, relieve muscle tension, and reduce swelling and fluid retention. According to traditional Chinese medicine practices, cupping improves the flow of qi, a Chinese word meaning “circulation of life force” or “energy.” In other words, it is a revitalizing treatment that reduces pain and swelling by stimulating the tissues just beneath the skin to help move excess lymph fluid and toxins.
How is cupping done?
my first introduction cupping therapy In a photo from the early 2000s, Celebrity walks red carpet with large circular red mark exposed on back skin I caught a virus. Although these circles seemed like the result of something mysterious (and painful), word quickly spread that they were actually the result of an ancient therapy called cupping.
The body treatment uses a glass cup that is drawn onto the skin by negative pressure created by the ignited substance. In other words, a small fire is ignited within the opening of a round glass cup, the partial vacuum created by removing oxygen from the cup draws (sucks) the skin tissue into the cup, and the cup is left for several hours. To do. Minutes. Cupping works by stimulating and promoting the free flow of Qi in the meridians (energy highways). This creates blood flow and eliminates stagnation that may be causing pain from deep within the muscles. By creating this suction and negative pressure, cupping drains excess fluid and toxins, loosens adhesions, lifts connective tissue, brings blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles, and stimulates the peripheral nervous system. .
With that in mind, I was a little nervous about giving myself facial cupping. What would you do if you ended up with big red welts all over your face? Fortunately, my fears were outweighed by the possibility of ultimately having firmer, brighter, more radiant skin.
facial cupping
The concept is the same, but facial cupping is done with silicone cups that adhere to the skin without the use of heat or glass. This treatment is said to have powerful effects on microcirculation, detox, and lymphatic drainage. In other words, if all goes well, my dark circles and under-eye puffiness will be replaced by soft, glowing, smooth skin. The movement of the cup is said to circulate and flush out toxins that have built up under the skin, much like lymphatic massage or gua sha stimulates the detoxification of stagnant body fluids (aka swelling).
As facial cupping becomes more popular, it’s definitely easier to find a practitioner to perform it. My Chinese medicine doctor has been practicing this method for years and advises his patients who “want to try a more natural treatment to revitalize the skin and maybe even soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles.” I feel that it is effective. Many patients are interested in trying it because it is non-invasive, making it a gentler treatment than things like injections or laser treatments. However, a quick warning, he should wait 4-6 weeks after Botox or fillers, whether done at home or at a spa.
DIY facial cupping
Always consult a professional before starting any new skin care treatment or technique.
I ordered a set of rubber cups online. The package contained two large cups and two small cups. It is more like a cone than a “cup” and is thick but flexible. In other words, it’s very different from the glass beads I’ve seen used on bodies. The larger cone is designed for larger areas of the face, such as the cheeks, forehead, and jawline, while the smaller cone is designed for the more delicate skin around the eyes.I saw some YouTube I watched the video to get a feel for the process and felt ready to give it a try.
I started by washing my face. Next, I applied a thin layer of face oil. I decided to use a facial recovery oil. This is one of my favorites of his, it’s not too thick, not too thin, has just the right amount of glide, and has a texture that seems to work. The biggest takeaway from the study was that the cup should never stay in one place, but should be moved (slided) from the starting point to the ending point to avoid red, bruise-like marks. That’s why it’s important to choose the right oil. Then it’s time to start the process. A little nervous, I placed the first cup on my cheek, held my breath (not recommended), and got to work.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised. I held the cone between my thumb and forefinger and touched it to my skin. I felt a strong suction, but there was no pressure or pain. With the first feeling that the cone was firmly attached to my skin, I started sliding it along the contours of my face. I started at the chin and moved up the jawline to the earlobes and repeated the same motion about 10 times (just moving up, never down). I then did the same from the outer corner of my lips to the top of my cheekbones, then from the apples of my cheeks to my temples. Next, I switched to a small cone and started at the inner corner of my under eye and swiped outward towards my temple. Repeat the slow movements again, concentrating on one area at a time. And finally, I went back to the big cone and slid it down from my temple to under my chin. Vital chain of lymph nodes on the neck and collarbone. This action may aid lymph drainage. Then I repeated the whole process on the other side.
I immediately noticed the energy. It was as if I could feel fluids being released and moving through channels under my skin. Nothing aggressive or painful at all, just a flow. I guess my spirit was activated.
result
After I finished, I took a closer look in the mirror and was very impressed with my handiwork. My skin was flushed in a good way, rosy and glowing. And I think my face, especially my jawline, looked more lifted and toned. But I think the biggest change I noticed was that the skin under my eyes became plumper and smoother. My baggage was gone and I looked refreshed and bright, as if I had slept 10 hours last night and didn’t drink any wine.
before and after
side effects
Redness may be considered a side effect, but it is a welcome one. The glow and “lift” lasted all day, but the rosy tint disappeared in about an hour. But I will say that I can see how this DIY treatment can go wrong. When my phone rang, disrupting my rhythm, I let the cup rest on my cheek for a few seconds, and a faint red circle formed beneath it. There was no pain and it went away in a few minutes.
next step
Many of the YouTube tutorials I watched recommended combining facial cupping with gua sha. Gua sha is another ancient practice that plumps the skin, stimulates lymph flow, and promotes detoxification processes. When the two practices are done together (every other day or every other day), they complement each other well and minimize eye puffiness and fine lines and wrinkles.
my final verdict
Treating puffy eyes, plumping up areas where fine lines were present, giving a rosy glow to the skin, and achieving youthful, awakened, glowing skin are the benefits I have seen. Not bad for literally 5 minutes in the morning. I’ve been switching between Facial Recovery Oil and Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil, and within a few weeks of starting my new routine, my skin feels more vibrant and less dull. It helped me a lot, especially as it reduced the puffiness under my eyes. Overall, my face feels energized, refreshed, and lifted. I’ll take it. In order to achieve this, I will continue to make time in my morning routine.
Have you tried facial cupping or other treatments to lift and revitalize your skin? Let us know in the comments below or on social media.
