Facial cupping is becoming increasingly popular on social media and with SOMATOLOGY / HEALTH AND SKINCARE / BEAUTY AND NAIL TECHNOLOGY / AESTHETICS / COSMETOLOGY therapists. Many celebrities have been hyping its benefits on social media, alongside images of their bruised backs. Facial Cupping is less extreme and is also doing the rounds on TikTok, with tutorial videos receiving thousands of views.
But what is Facial Cupping?
Cupping is an alternative therapy that uses suction cups made from glass or silicone to stimulate the skin and muscles.
What are the benefits of Facial Cupping?
- It potentially increases overall skin health and tightens and tones the skin.
- The suction from the cups works like a vacuum, forming a negative pressure within the cup, pulling the blood up to the skin’s surface. This will increase blood flow to the skin area beneath the cup, promoting the formation of new blood vessels and increasing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin.
- The negative pressure from the cups also creates controlled micro-trauma in the skin, as seen with micro-needling. This increases collagen production in the area, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- The suction also releases fascia adhesions between multiple layers of the skin. This will improve lymphatic flows, increasing the removal of waste and toxins in the skin.
What would you need to incorporate cupping treatment into your current facials?
Smaller and softer cups – used facial treatments.
Form of lubrication, e.g., any non-comedogenic oil – decreases the risk of causing damage.
Serums, creams, or lotions with lots of active ingredients – applied before the facial oil as cupping will assist with the absorption of all the ingredients
Which clients are suitable for Facial Cupping?
- Lack of Collagen – Facial cupping has the ability to stimulate collagen and fibroblast production which means it is great for visible signs of aging.
- Oedema and swelling – It aids in lymphatic drainage, which can help relieve swelling by moving fluids around the body.
- Sagging around the jawline – Facial cupping can assist with tightening and contouring the jawline, chin, and skin on the neck.
- Chronic sinusitis, Bell’s palsy, headaches, and trigeminal neuralgia (you will need a doctor’s consent to perform the treatment on these clients).
Facial cupping can be a good supplementary treatment for clients to maintain the effects of other treatments they receive from SOMATOLOGY / HEALTH AND SKINCARE / BEAUTY AND NAIL TECHNOLOGY / AESTHETICS / COSMETOLOGY professionals in salons, spas, and clinics.
With the right treatment protocol, facial cupping is safe, takes minimal time, and requires minimal resources – so it can be a simple add-on to other treatments and facials.