What Is Facial Cupping? The TikTok Trend That Promises Plumper Skin

You’ve probably seen cupping performed on the Instagram accounts of your favourite wellness influencers. Cupping is an alternative therapy that originated in China and uses suction cups to stimulate both the skin and muscles and according to Healthline, helps “facilitate healing with blood flow”. This therapy is usually performed on the body but, as TikTok users have discovered, can also be used on the face for beauty benefits.

While face and body cupping work on the same principle, they are carried out differently. For starters, facial cups are much smaller and softer and are usually made from silicone while body cups are generally glass-based. According to Healthline, facial cups gently pull the skin away from the deeper layer of the fascia, which helps to increase blood flow and rejuvenate the skin.

If you’ve ever seen the aftermath of body cupping, you’ll know that it tends to leave dark purple bruises. This is said to reflect the amount of cellar waste that has built up in the body and these generally fade as the lymphatic system processes said waste. Thankfully, facial cupping doesn’t leave any marks thanks to the size of the cups and the motion of constantly moving it over your face. If anything, you might experience a little redness post-cupping but it should fade quickly.

@ohdiarie

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While this method has been around for centuries, TikTok users have recently discovered the practice and are praising the therapy for its ability to increase blood circulation, strengthen skin and stimulate cells for collagen production. This practice is also said to relax muscles in your face.

The positive side effects of this method also include brightening the skin, toning the chin and jawline and decreasing puffiness. It achieves this by promoting inflammation within the skin. By “vacuuming” your face with the suction of the cup, it “separates different layers of tissues, resulting in microtrauma and tearing,” says Healthline. This triggers an inflammatory response, flooding the area with white blood cells, platelets, and other healing aids.”

The practice itself is safe and can be performed at home but experts recommend avoiding cupping skin that is broken or inflamed. Here are a few facial cupping sets to get you going on your cupping journey: