Cupping is a therapy that uses suction to stimulate the skin, muscles and blood flow. It’s been around for hundreds of years, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and also found in ancient Egyptian practice. Cupping can be done on the body or the face to ease pain, relax tight muscles and reduce swelling or water retention. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping is said to improve the flow of “Qi,” which means life force or energy. Put simply, it’s a refreshing treatment that can ease pain and puffiness by stimulating the tissue under the skin to move excess lymphatic fluid and waste.
How Is Cupping Performed?
My first introduction to cupping was in the early 2000s, when photos of celebrities with round red marks on their backs made the rounds online. Those marks weren’t from anything mysterious — they came from an age-old therapy called cupping.
On the body, glass cups are placed on the skin and suction is created by briefly lighting a small flame inside the cup. Removing the flame causes a partial vacuum that pulls the skin into the cup, which stays in place for a few minutes. The goal is to move Qi along the meridians (energy pathways), increase blood flow and release deeper muscle stagnation that can cause pain. The suction may also help drain extra fluid and toxins, loosen tight tissue, lift connective tissue, bring blood to sluggish skin and muscles, and stimulate the peripheral nervous system.
Even knowing this, I was nervous about trying facial cupping on myself. Would I end up with red welts all over my face? Still, the chance of brighter, bouncier skin outweighed my worry.
Facial Cupping
Facial cupping uses soft silicone cups that suction to the skin without heat or glass. It’s said to boost microcirculation, detox and lymphatic drainage. In other words, it can help reduce dark circles and under-eye puffiness and leave skin softer and more radiant. Moving the cup helps circulate and drain fluid under the skin — similar to what lymphatic massage or gua sha does to reduce puffiness.
As facial cupping grows in popularity, it’s easier to find practitioners. My Chinese medicine doctor has done it for years and sees it helping patients who want natural ways to refresh their skin and soften lines. Because it’s non-invasive, many people prefer it to injectables or lasers. One quick warning: whether at home or in a spa, wait four to six weeks after Botox or fillers before trying cupping.
Product Picks
Facial Recovery Oil — Luxurious oil for all skin types
Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil — Deeply hydrating facial oil
DIY Facial Cupping
Always consult a professional before starting any new skin treatment or technique.
I ordered a set of rubber cups online: two larger, cone-shaped cups for most of the face and two smaller ones for delicate areas around the eyes. They were thick but flexible — very different from the glass cups used on the body. After watching a few YouTube tutorials, I felt ready to try.
I started with a clean face and applied a light layer of face oil — I used the Facial Recovery Oil because it had the right amount of glide. The key rule I learned was never to leave a cup in one place; you should keep it moving from start to end point to avoid creating bruise-like red marks. That’s why a good oil is important.
Nervous but curious, I squeezed the large cup, placed it on my cheek and felt a gentle suction that wasn’t painful. Once it stuck, I slid it up my face. I worked from my chin along the jawline to the earlobe, repeating the upward motion about 10 times (always moving up). Then I went from the corner of my mouth to the top of my cheekbone, and from the apple of my cheek to my temple. I switched to the smaller cup for under my eyes, moving from the inner corner outward to the temple, with slow, repeated motions. Finally I used the bigger cup to sweep from my temple down under my chin toward the lymph nodes at the neck and collarbone to help drainage. Then I repeated the whole sequence on the other side.
I immediately felt movement, like fluids shifting under my skin — nothing painful, just a flow. I guess my Qi got going.
The Results
Afterwards I checked the mirror and was impressed. My skin looked flushed in a good way — rosy and glowing — and my jawline felt lifted and firmer. The biggest change was under my eyes: the skin looked plumped and smooth, the bags reduced, and I looked bright and rested, like I’d had a great night’s sleep.
Side Effects
The redness is the main side effect, but it’s usually a welcome one. The glow and lift lasted all day, while the rosy color faded in about an hour. I did see how DIY cupping can go wrong: when my phone rang and I paused, the cup sat still on my cheek for a few seconds and left a faint red circle. It didn’t hurt and faded within minutes.
Next Steps
Many tutorials suggest combining facial cupping with gua sha — another technique that boosts circulation, lymph flow and detox. Used together (on alternate days or one after the other), they complement each other and help keep puffiness and fine lines down.
My Final Verdict
Facial cupping reduced puffiness, added plumpness to lines, gave my skin a rosy glow and made my face look more awake and radiant — all from about five minutes in the morning. I’ve been alternating the Facial Recovery Oil and the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil, and after a few weeks my skin looks more vibrant and less dull, especially under the eyes. I feel less puffy and more energized, refreshed and lifted. I’ll definitely keep it in my routine.
Have you tried facial cupping or other treatments that lift and refresh your skin? Let us know in the comments or on social media.