Keeping up with celebrity trends: What is cupping and how does it benefit the skin

Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese therapeutic medical treatment, which uses a vacuum created by glass cups on certain points on the body.

As per Harvard Health Publishing, the “cupping technique draws fluid into the skin, and discolours the skin, as it breaks blood vessels just beneath the skin surface. This forms a bruise, and increases blood circulation in the impacted area, nourishing the skin cells.”

Besides China, this technique has traditionally been prevalent in Egypt and the Middle East as well. In more recent times, many celebrities, from Jacqueline Fernandez to Kim Kadarshian, use cupping as a skincare technique.

What is cupping?

Traditionally, cupping has been used to treat ailments, such as muscle pain, soreness, inflammation, migraines, cramps and anxiety. When it comes to skincare, cupping is comparable to a deep tissue massage. This massaging effect is attributed to increased blood flow and improvement in the skin’s respiration.

The treatment entails placing a cup on the skin, which is slightly heated, and designed to suck the skin up towards the cup. The air in the cup is pressurized, creating a vacuum.

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The vacuum created by the cups helps release stagnant and congested blood, and eliminate toxic substances from the skin’s surface.

Here’s how cupping can benefit the skin

Detoxing and nourishing effect: Besides boosting the blood flow, improving the flow of oxygen, and reducing inflammation, toxic waste removal is also a key benefit of cupping treatment. The uptick in blood flow provides a detoxifying effect, as it carries waste products, including free radicals, out of the skin cells. This factor also aids in nourishing skin cells, and the improved flow of oxygen ensures the delivery of vital nutrients to your skin cells.

Reducing inflammation and battling acne: Cupping is used to release soft tissues deep inside the body, relaxing the stiffness in muscles. This reduces skin inflammation and helps prevent acne and breakouts. As per a report in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, cupping can help with acne, herpes zoster, and pain management.

Helps with hyperpigmentation: This technique provides a cleansing and detoxifying effect. This helps in managing hyperpigmentation, a condition indicating the presence of excessive melanin in the skin cells. The cups are moved across the face, giving a massaging effect, which creates lymphatic drainage. The drainage of lymph will help remove toxins from the affected area, reduce inflammation, and decrease the impact of hyperpigmentation.

This technique is safe to explore, and barring the discolouration in certain areas of the skin, there are no visible side effects. However, it is prudent to consult a dermatologist before indulging in this treatment, especially if you have sensitive skin.

So ladies, get ready to experience the wellness of this ancient technique, to nourish and soothe your skin!