Face Cupping: Does cupping help against wrinkles?

You have certainly heard the term “cupping” before. It is a common therapeutic procedure that belongs to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In cupping, certain glasses are placed on the skin in such a way that a negative pressure is created. This procedure is said to stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic flow, as well as help relieve tension and pain. Furthermore, cupping is supposedly also good for beauty. The so-called face cupping – i.e. cupping of the face – is currently in vogue. The procedure is supposed to fight wrinkles and thus be a cost-effective alternative to Botox & Co. But can face cupping really rejuvenate the skin? We get to the bottom of it.

What does cupping do?

Cupping belongs to the so-called apparative therapy methods. Cupping glasses made of glass or plastic are used for this purpose. They usually have a spherical shape and a diameter of two to eight centimeters. When the cupping glass is placed on the skin, a negative pressure can be created by special pumping devices. The skin sucks itself into the placed glass.

Cupping is a popular and comparatively easy to use treatment method. It is supposed to lead to a long-term improved blood circulation of the treated body parts. Metabolism and lymphatic flow can also benefit from this. According to traditional Chinese medicine, cupping also has a positive effect on the reflex zones, which is why the respective internal organs associated with them can respond positively to the treatment.

Classically, doctors and alternative practitioners use cupping as part of a naturopathic treatment, for example, to combat acute and chronic back pain. It can also help with muscle tension, pain in the shoulder and neck area, migraine or with arthritis and arthrosis. It can also be used as a supportive therapy for certain organ ailments, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disorders.

Face cupping: what face cupping can do

Face cupping basically works on the same principle. However, the cupping vessels (cups) here are smaller and made of silicone. This material is more hygienic for facial application. It also facilitates handling and minimizes the occurrence of bruising. Whereas in traditional treatment the cups remain in one place during therapy, in face cupping they are moved across the face. This causes pent-up fluid to drain more quickly. At the same time, the metabolism in the cells of the connective tissue is activated. Thus, they should produce fresh collagen and elastin, which increases the tone and elasticity of the facial skin. In addition, face cupping can help relieve tension in the facial muscles and “frozen” facial features. With regular use, the skin is said to appear more relaxed, plumper and firmer.

How face cupping works

Face Cupping proceeds in three steps:

1. Preparation

Cleanse your face thoroughly so that it is free of makeup and dirt. It is recommended not to use mechanical peelings or acids (e.g. fruit acid) before the treatment, otherwise the skin will be too irritated.

2. Treatment

Now wet your skin (face, neck, décolleté if you wish) with some facial oil. Squeeze the cup, place it on the skin in the middle of your face and let go. Due to the resulting negative pressure, the cup should adhere well. Now slowly move outwards over the skin, carefully release the cup from the skin, place it again – slightly offset – in the middle of the face and repeat the treatment lane by lane, centimeter by centimeter. The treatment takes only a few minutes. You can repeat it two or three times a week.

3. Care

Due to the treatment, the skin is somewhat stressed. Therefore, you should now care for it with soothing active ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile.

Is face cupping effective?

Cupping is now available in every drugstore and also in countless online stores. However, self-application at home – especially for inexperienced people – can have some side effects: for example, bruises and hematomas if the negative pressure is too high and the cup is held in the same place for too long. Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and cold sweat may occur during or after the treatment. Also, the skin type must be suitable for cupping. Face Cupping should not be used on inflammation, rashes, open wounds, acne or a strong tendency to couperose. You should be especially careful around the delicate eye area.

Besides these safety aspects, the effect is also doubtful. Facial cupping can loosen water retention and lymph congestion and relax the face – however, this does not work for everyone. In addition, you should not get your hopes up about the anti-aging effect. Deeper wrinkles as well as tissue slackening cannot be corrected as well with face cupping as with professional aesthetic treatments. Moreover, the effect is only short-term: if you stop Face Cupping, the status quo will quickly return. With treatments in our practice for dermatology and aesthetics in Munich, this is different.

Alternative to face cupping:
Long-lasting and effective anti-aging treatments in our practice in munich.

Btx

We can treat crow’s feet or frown lines very well with BTX injections. By injecting botulinum into the corresponding muscles, they can relax. The result: a smoothing of the wrinkles – without any mask effect at all!

Further information: BTX Munich

Filler injections

While we use BTX to relax muscles that lead to the formation of wrinkles on the skin, we can treat tissue slackening and volume loss with hyaluronic acid or Radiesse. With these active ingredients, we are also able to sculpt your lips or contour the jawline.

More information: Hyaluronic Acid Munich and Radiesse Munich

Medical peeling

One of the goals of face cupping is to activate cell renewal. This is also offered by the medical peeling treatment. It increases the production of skin’s own hyaluronic acid and activates the formation of new elastic and collagen fibers under the skin.

Read more: Chemical Peeling Munich

Ultherapy

This treatment method is considered a gentle but highly effective alternative to scalpel and injections: With the Ultherapy ultrasound treatment, we can lift your skin from the deeper layers. It can even be used to achieve impressive results on the eyes. For example, we can use it to lift your eyebrows, combat drooping eyelids and tighten wrinkles around your eyes.

Further information: Ultherapy Munich

Btl exilis elite™

This anti-aging therapy relies on radio/ultrasound and encourages your body to produce new collagen. This is done through targeted heating of deep tissue.

Read more: BTL Exilis Elite™ Munich

Fractional co2 laser

With fractional laser treatment, we can reduce sagging skin and clearly visible wrinkles. During therapy, we remove the superficial layers of skin and heat your surrounding tissue for a clearly visible tightening.

Further information: Fractional CO2 Laser Munich

Lasemd™

This is a combination treatment of laser and cosmeceuticals (medical cosmetic products with increased concentrations of active ingredients). With LaseMD™, we can give your skin more freshness and firmness, as well as improve your skin tone and texture.

More info: LaseMD™ Munich

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