Cupping for facials originated from traditional medicine, primarily conventional Chinese medicine. Traditional Egyptian practice also involves cupping, Tibetan, Unani, and Korean. The heated glass bulbs form little vacuum pockets to regulate Qi or energy flow. It enhances the flow of blood and, in turn, reduces stress in muscles while aiding in the repair of cells. In addition to Tibetan as well as Unani Medical clinics many massage spas located in India also offer cupping as a treatment. Jiva Spa offers Ventoz on its menu as one of the Indian techniques to relax tension-inducing muscles. The treatment is which is followed by a massage. If used in the back, it can cause bruising and can be a bit painful as glasses bulbs can be kept on for longer as compared to facial. Face cupping works upon the same principle; however, the method differs. The use of small plastic cups to massage facial areas creating a slight vacuum stimulating more circulation of blood.
Does cupping result in better skin?
“It is an internal process that’s dealing with your blood circulation and lymphatic drainage,” says the dermatologist Dr Kiran Sethi from Delhi-based Isya Aesthetics. “It forces the blood flow to stop and start–sort of stimulated, with the vacuum you’re creating.” The procedure involves the application of face oil so that the cups can glide smoothly without friction (which could cause bruising or tears to the skin) as well. The cups are sprayed with gentle pressure and then allowed to move across the face’s planes using the same strokes you apply to facial massage.
Does it work similarly to facial massage?
Dr. Harshna Bijlani who is the medical head of the AgeLess Clinic & celebrity skin expert, says “A facial massage can help improve the health of your skin. Massage your skin using creams or serums that have active ingredients can assist in allowing these ingredients to penetrate more deeply. Massages on the face aid in detoxification and increase lymphatic drainage. When performed with the correct strokes, facial massages could help to reduce bloating and contour the face. Some think that face cupping aids to increase lymphatic drainage, shape the face, decrease inflammation, and delay the process of ageing..”
Do you have any side consequences?
“If you do it yourself at home and don’t do it correctly, or leave the cups on one area of your face for too long, or apply too much pressure, you can get some bad bruising,” recommends Dr. Sethi. “I would not do this on damaged, inflamed or acne-prone skin. It is necessary to apply any kind of oil to get rid of it, right? There are times when your skin may respond to this oil.”
What types of face oil are available?
- Dry skin: Apply the moisturizer that lets the cup glide. It provides moisture too. Marula, coconut, and avocado oils are excellent choices.
- For oily skin, look for oils that are lighter and don’t cause clogging of your pores such as squalane, buckthorn, jojoba as well as rosehip oil.
- Normal skin: Search for oils that are not heavy, like jojoba or marula.
- Skin with acne-prone spots: That is the area where you should be extra cautious. I suggest consulting your doctor prior to trying this because excessive pressure and oily skin could cause breakouts too. Jojoba Squalane, as well as tea tree oil, are excellent choices. Be aware that tea tree oils are highly potent, so blend them with carrier oils.
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A few clinics for skincare offer facial cupping, however they’re generally used as a part of other treatments. There are facial cups available online for those looking to give it a go at home, however the chance of breaking your face may not be worth the risk. As Dr. Sethi suggests, it is more effective when you are not the only one who is massaging your face. It’s a limbo situation in regards to taking care of ourselves and our family members in this day and age. We’re bombarded with a variety of methods to take care of it and requiring us to take action, but also allowed to spend time figuring out the best self-care option for our needs. If, during this process we discover a safe way that uses plastic cup to give our face with a gentle massage then why not? In the worst case, we’ll end up looking like we’ve got an itch (not wholly an issue). We will appear relaxed (thanks to blood flow)–major victory.