What's Facial Cupping and Does it Work?
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I have toyed with the idea of getting into facial cupping for a while now, but hadn’t tried it yet. I get cupping on my body and love the results; but, I was kind of skeptical until Primally Pure launched their facial cups this year. Needless to say, I am now HOOKED. I have been using a gua sha for years now and I still use it, but in congruence with my facial cups. Keep reading to learn the benefits and results I’ve experienced from cupping daily for the last 5 weeks.
Before I get into it, I wanted to say TODAY ONLY (05/11) my Primally Pure discount coupon code is 25% off!! Just use discount code ELLEMULENOS25 at checkout. They have literally never done this, so take advantage of it! If you’re reading this post later, you can always use my code ELLEMULENOS and get 10% off your purchase, every single order you make…. not just the first one!
Primally Pure Facial Cups | Primally Pure Baby Balm | Primally Pure Soothing Bar | Soap Dish | Primally Pure Lip Balm | Primally Pure Facial Dry Brush * Receive 10% off every Primally Pure order you use my code ELLEMULENOS on - not just your first order! *
FACIAL CUPPING VS GUASHA
Okay so like I mentioned, I’ve been using a gua sha stone for a while now. I originally wrote about it over 5 years ago here. Both cups cups and gua sha assist the lymphatic system, but in different ways. The lymphatic system is important because it does a myriad of things like:
remove waste / detox your body
support digestion
strengthen immunity
recycle nutrients back into the blood stream
While the lymphatic system naturally cleanses and filters your body from impurities just below the skin’s surface, sometimes things can grow stagnant, which can surface as acne, puffiness, dullness, and more. Using tools like gua sha stones or cups can aid in this process. So can dry brushing, massages, exercise, and more; however, for today’s sake, I’m just going to focus on cups. Gua shas are the most similar / you might even have one already, so I wanted to create a little comparison for you. Both facial cups and gua shas are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for lymphatic drainage, plus detoxing and regenerating skin. Here are some ways they differ:
GUA SHA
Scrapes (the act of scraping the face, no this isn’t scratching)
Lifts
Contours
Avoid breakout areas
FACIAL CUPS
Suctions (compare this to the “scraping” of the gua sha)
Clears
Scupts
Can be used around breakouts (non-open, circle around)
For reference, this is my favorite gua sha stone and I’ve tried a lot. These are the only facial cups I’ve used, but I really like them. You can get them both for 25% off TODAY (05/11/23) using code ELLEMULENOS25. Any other day you can still get a discount using code ELLEMULENOS, it will just be a little less of a discount.
I actually like to use both tools and appreciate their differences. I do cupping first, then finish with gua sha. I typically do this in the evening, but have done it in the morning when I felt like I needed it; however, when you sleep, your skin is restoring, so using the cups at night, you might see more impactful results. It’s also a really soothing before-bed ritual. Gua sha is best used once daily, as you can always use a little lift. Facial cups are best used threeish times a week to clear out build up. You of course can use as needed, this is just best practice so your skin can rest.
Side note - I recently shared this little cutie video re: cupping on IG here and on TikTok here.
HOW TO USE FACIAL CUPS
No, these aren’t going to leave purple marks on your face like cupping on you back / cupping you might have seen other people have. This is more of a running cup, which is constantly moving. You might appear flush afterwards, similar to how you look after using a gua sha, which is just new blood flow to the skin! We love this blood flow, because that is what is responsible for all of the benefits we hope to see.
You’ll want to use your cups after applying a slick serum that isn’t fast drying, an oil / oil based serum, or an oil based moisturizer. I like to use my Baby Balm, but Primally Pure also has oil based serums that work great too. Any skincare substance you own that has the ability to have a tool glide over it will work!
Basically they are very similar to how-to use a gua sha. Start at the neck, going up, then start from the forehead and work your way up, in an upwards motion. The large cup is great for using all over your face. I target wrinkles and breakout areas with the smaller cup. Don’t forget to cleanse your tools so you aren’t spreading bacteria around! There’s a lot of how-to information on the page you purchase the product, including step-by-step processes and photos. Here’s a video from Primally Pure on how to use. This is another great video how-to. This video is specifically about jaw sculpting. I could describe in more detail it here, but I feel like the videos work bestThere’s a lot of information on this blog post - most of the “how to” is towards the bottom. This They also have this gua sha video if you are looking for that too!
Cupping can be done in a matter of minutes, so it is a really easy and satisfying add to your skincare routine!
BENEFITS OF FACIAL CUPPING
Increases blood flow. This brings in new oxygen and nutrients.
Relieves tension. Smooth out those wrinkles, but also clean out those sinuses.
Boosts collagen production. Suction creates blood flow, which stimulates firm skin.
Aids lymphatic drainage. Cupping gives your body a kickstart on detoxing.
Promotes cell turnover. New blood flow comes in and promotes a glow.
Creates a plumping and defined effect. The cups remove excess fluid which in turn creates more definition.
Opens pathways. This creates faster healing, specifically around breakouts.
Pushes product absorption. This allows for higher efficacy of the precious products you are paying for.
MY FACIAL CUPPING RESULTS
I’ve always had a bit of a round face, but since I began healing from Ulcerative Colitis and extreme bloat, I find myself needing more of a de-puff. I love using my gua sha, but I have seen. more power from the facial cups than I have with anything else… not to mention that it feels amazing. I have been a long time sufferer of headaches and jaw tension. When I quit taking birth control, they got a lot better, but I still suffer from some pain. That first suction across my cheek bones up to my temple is AMAZING.
At this point in my life, I haven’t gotten any botox, fillers, etc. I’m not judgmental if you have, but I don’t think that is something I personally want. Trying tools like facial cups can eliminate the need for such procedures. Using the small cup, I work on the wrinkles I have forming - I have one the left side of my forehead that I always target. An area I can see a difference in are my smile lines (the slanted indents from my nose to my mouth.) I work on those every time I cup and can tell a difference in my before and after. The images I have hear are just from 14 days of use, but I have kept up the work! I would include images, but I feel like this is the most dramatic result I have experienced. I did the 2 weeks trial part of Primally Pure’s “Gau Sha Stoned” event and it really help me get into a habit of using the cups. Since then, I have worked down to 2-3 times a week of maintenance. This is also something I feel comfortable doing at home, whereas I don’t wish to try to dermaplane or microneedle myself. I’ll leave that to the professionals!
For the small investment of $34 (use code ELLEMULENOS to save some money), and a couple minutes three times a week, I think facial cupping is very much worth it. Even if you don’t see any visible results at first, it just plain feels good! They are also really easily packable, so they can travel with you, no cords or plugs needed.
Just as a random side note, I have some forehead Frownies my sister gifted me for Christmas. I plan on trying these out soon! I had some forehead breakouts and was traveling / hadn’t found a good time to use them 30 days straight. Will keep you updated on what I think about those. My mom started using them and loves them!
If you’re interested in cupping elsewhere, I mention cupping on my acupuncture post here. I also received cupping on my hips to alleviate pain while I was pregnant. I received that from my Physical Therapist at The Origin Way. Speaking of pregnancy, cupping is generally safe while pregnant, especially compared to Botox, fillers, etc. Be sure to avoid certain pressure points like shoulders and above the lip. Speak to your doctor before moving forward.
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