For thousands of years the Chinese have used therapeutic cupping for
asthma, fever, congestion and chronic or acute pain. Due to its ability
to drain toxins and regulate the skin and muscles, facial cupping can
be transformative to your appearance as well.
Used either as a stand alone treatment, or as an addition to acupuncture
facial treatment, facial cupping has benefits far beyond reducing fine
lines and sagging jowls. These benefits include: increased local
qi
and blood circulation to the skin, drawing nutrients to the surface and
enhancing absorption of lotions or serums. Facial cupping clears heat
and serves as a method of detoxifying the skin; it also drains stagnant
fluids and eases puffiness. While traditional cupping can leave marks on
the skin, facial cupping does not. Acupuncture facial cupping is
entirely painless and is not an irritant to the skin; it can be used on
rosacea, melasma and even on sensitive skin.
The majority of the patients I see for facial cupping come to reduce
the signs of aging. There are several reasons why our skin wrinkles and
loses its glow over time: 1) as we age, our skin loses elements that
once made it look youthful: fat, collagen and elastin. 2) glands that
once helped to regulate moisture and rejuvenation of skin cells and
blood flow causing dry, cracked skin begin to slow down 3) skin cells
divide more slowly, causing the dermis layer to thin. One percent of
collagen decreases every year. 4) fat layers beneath the dermis begin to
atrophy. By increasing blood flow and circulation to the skin, cupping
can help the skin to regain its youthful appearance. Cupping can be a
very unique way of turning back the hands of time.
The procedure itself takes anywhere from 15 minutes to half hour to
perform. I start out with needling a few body points to ground the
patient and affect various skin conditions. After applying a lotion or
oil, a small cup is either "parked" for a few seconds over a deep
wrinkle to increase blood flow to the area, or it is moved along the
face and down the neck to drain lymphatic fluid and stimulate blood
flow. Cups are positioned over acupuncture points on the face for short
periods of time to stimulate them as part of the overall treatment.
Larger cups can be gently dragged along a meridian to activate it for
lifting and firming effects as well. Small oblong cups, can be used in
the eye area, for sagging eyelids, puffy under eyes, and dark circles.
Done properly, cupping therapy will bring collagen to the surface and
increase blood flow, reduce puffiness, dark circles and diminish fine
lines. But the benefits go beyond just cosmetic, facial cupping can be
very beneficial to drain nasal sinuses and the lymphatic system.
Conditions such as TMJ pressure can also be relieved. The increased
local blood supply will bring nourishment to the muscles and skin and
allow for toxins to be carried away via the veins and the lymphatic
system. My patients describe feeling very relaxed and deep warmth, and
tingling sensation long after the treatment has ended.
Although it is possible to use fire cups, I do not recommend it. The
cups I use are small bulb suction cups, they are highly polished glass,
very smooth, and come in various shapes especially designed for your
face. I have had students show up for class with plastic cups, and "bee
sting kits" these are very irritating to the skin and I strongly
discourage their use.
Facial cupping is affordable and is a wonderful add-on to an
acupuncture facial treatment or can be used alone as part of a regular
skin care routine. Patients can come once or twice a week until the
desired results are achieved.
skin
