What is Facial Cupping and Guasha?

Facial Cupping

Facial cupping can be transformative to your appearance either as a standalone treatment or as an addition to facial acupuncture. The benefits include increased local circulation to the skin, drawing nutrients to the surface, and enhancing the absorption of serums. Facial cupping also increases blood flow, drains stagnant fluids, and eases puffiness.

Facial cups are small and come in various shapes specially designed for your face. After applying a YINA facial oil, a small cup is either “parked” for a few seconds over a deep wrinkle to increase blood flow to the area, or it is moved along the face and down the neck to drain lymphatic fluid and stimulate blood flow.

The increased local blood supply will bring nourishment to the muscles and skin and allow for toxins to be carried away via the veins and the lymphatic system. My patients describe feeling very relaxed and deep warmth, and tingling sensation long after the treatment has ended.

Facial GuaSha

Facial Guasha is a technique in which specially crafted handheld pieces of stone are used to invigorate the skin, smooth out wrinkles, and increase blood supply. Facial Guasha can be used to treat various skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, melasma, and dark circles. Facial Guasha is used as part of a comprehensive facial acupuncture program for wrinkles, sagging, and puffiness. Facial Guasha can address areas such as the neck and jowls, which are prone to sagginess. The increased blood circulation, which occurs during Guasha, helps to detoxify the face and move stagnant blood and inflammation, which can occur under the eyes. By providing increased blood flow to the face, the skin is better nourished and healthier.

Part of the benefit of the treatment is that acupuncture points on the face are massaged with the Guasha tool, which in turn benefits the internal organs. The better your liver and kidney are working, the healthier your skin will appear.

A gentle massaging technique is used for deep lines, such as those between the eyebrows and on the forehead. This procedure relaxes the muscles, increases blood flow, and rejuvenates the skin. The more relaxed the muscles are, the more relaxed you feel. Much in the same way that smiling causes you to feel happier, having a tensely furrowed brow can elicit worry, pensiveness and anger.

At Moon River Clinic we offer facial cupping and facial guasha as part of comprehensive facial acupuncture treatment.