• What is cupping therapy?
• Types of cupping therapy
• Benefits of cupping for skin
• What should I expect during a cupping treatment?
• Frequently Asked Questions about Cupping (FAQs)

Many Bollywood celebrities and personalities like Urvashi Rautela and Bani J are joining the trend of ‘cupping therapy’ – ever noticed the round marks on their backs in the photos you see in the news or heard someone say they’re going for ‘cupping’ and wondering what they’re going to do? This article will answer all your questions about this medieval massage, and why it is essential for summer skincare. 

What is cupping? What is cupping therapy? Let’s find out!

What Is Cupping Therapy?

At this point, we’re all wondering ‘what is cupping therapy?’ Cupping therapy is an ancient Egyptian form of alternative medicine that creates suction in your skin. Special cups are placed by a therapist on your skin, and this helps with a number of skin and health concerns. Why should it be a part of your summer skin care essentials? To help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

Types Of Cupping Therapy

Where did the concept of ‘cups’ come from? Surprisingly, during the ancient Egyptian years, animal horns were used for the therapeutic process. As we evolved, bamboo cups were used, and later, ceramic ones. So, what is the aspect of ‘suction’? It is the process of heated cups sucking in your skin, and this suction created is what restores your skin - once the cups are cooled.

Today, cupping therapy is performed using bell-shaped glass cups. They may also be made of plastic or silicone. The four main methods used today are dry, wet, running, and flash cupping. Alternative cupping methods include acupuncture needles, moxibustion, or the burning of mugwort leaves, magnets, laser therapy, electrical stimulation, water, and herbs. The types of cupping include:

• Facial Cupping
• Sports Cupping
• Orthopedic Cupping
• Aquatic Cupping

So, what does cupping therapy do to your skin? Let’s look at how it helps your skin.

Benefits Of Cupping For Skin

Cupping has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It may be particularly effective at easing the conditions that create muscle aches and pains. Some of these include: 

• Lower back, neck, and shoulder pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Knee pain, shingles, and rheumatoid arthritis
• Facial paralysis, acne, cough, and dyspnea
• Hypertension and asthma
• Diabetes mellitus

Among the various cupping benefits for skin, let’s take a closer look at facial cupping benefits.

Are facial cupping and body cupping the same? Yes, in some ways they are similar, but not the same. The principle is common, where both methods restore your skin. The process of carrying out each of them is different – facial cups are smaller and gently pull your skin away from deeper layers and leave no marks, whereas body cups are the ones that leave you with circles or marks.

What Should I Expect During A Cupping Treatment?

Often, cupping is done with acupuncture treatments. For best results, you may also want to fast or eat only light meals 2 to 3 hours before your cupping session. What does cupping therapy do and make you feel like? Here’s everything you need to know. 

1. First, you may be asked what your experiences have been, and what led you to ‘cupping’ - almost like a detailed first visit with the practitioner
2. Once they get a fair idea of what you’re looking for, the process begins. It starts with cups being placed on your skin. As the heating or suction takes place, you will feel a sensation of your skin being sucked in and pressure.
3. After this, you are left alone to rest for a couple of minutes. Depending on your treatment, they come back after the required time to remove the cups.
4. The aftereffect? Light bruising and redness are visible on your skin.

Generally, cupping is performed on the back. If you’re receiving facial or cosmetic cupping, cups will be placed on your face. As an after-therapy soothing experience, you can use a mild cleanser on your face and body. This will cool your skin as it is rejuvenated with improved blood flow. Coco Soul’s skincare products are 100% natural, vegan, pure, and Made Safe certified. They bless your skin with the goodness of Ayurvedic ingredients! 

The Coco Soul Natural Face Wash is a gentle kiss on your face, rich in potent Ayurvedic herbs like gotukola and neem. Virgin coconut oil in this face cleanser washes away any residue or impurities, without making it dry after your cupping therapy. Welcome natural radiance with this cleanser after your treatment. The Coco Soul Shower Gel revitalises, cleanses, purifies, and rejuvenates your skin. Allow the magic of turmeric, gotukola, and virgin coconut oil to transform your skin into glowing beauty as you use this body cleanser after your cupping therapy!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cupping (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of cupping on skin?
   

   Once you know what is cupping, you know what it can do for your skin. Along with improved blood circulation, rejuvenated skin, and the other benefits we’ve mentioned above, cupping can also treat digestive issues and skin allergies. This is because it is mainly applied to acupressure points and is often accompanied by acupressure treatment.
   
   

2. Does cupping improve skin?
   

   Has cupping ever been one of your summer skin care essentials? If not, it’s time to make it. It relieves pain caused by sun damage, reduces inflammation, relaxes your body improves blood flow, and gives your skin and body a deep-tissue massage.
   
   

3. Does cupping remove fat?
   

   Among the various cupping benefits for skin, we see how it improves your overall blood circulation, and in turn, your well-being. This regulates and balances your health but does not specifically remove fat – it only sucks in your skin to rejuvenate it. This is also one of the facial cupping benefits, giving you less chubbiness on your cheeks.