Cupping therapy is an ancient treatment involving the placement of cups on the skin to create a vacuum. This technique promotes blood flow and relieves muscle tension, but it often leaves distinctive circular marks. The concern is whether these discolorations are permanent or temporary side effects. Cupping marks are almost always temporary, representing a superficial response rather than lasting damage to the skin’s structure.
Distinguishing Temporary Marks from Permanent Scars
Cupping marks are generally not true scars, which are permanent areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin after a deep wound that breaches the dermis layer. A scar forms when the body has to repair significant tissue trauma, such as a deep cut or a severe burn. The marks from cupping, however, are a form of superficial discoloration, or ecchymosis, that occurs in the upper layers of the skin.
Permanent scarring is a rare complication of cupping, only presenting a risk in specific, non-standard circumstances. For instance, improper application of fire cupping, which uses heat to create suction, can cause burns that may lead to scarring. Scarring can also occur if the skin is severely blistered or if the site of wet cupping, which involves minor incisions, becomes infected. When performed correctly by a trained professional, the resulting marks should not cause permanent changes to the skin texture or structure.
Understanding the Biology Behind Cupping Marks
The circular marks that appear after a session are a direct result of the mechanical action of the cups on the skin. The technique creates a negative pressure, pulling the skin and underlying soft tissues upward into the cup. This suction forcefully draws blood flow to the surface of the skin in a localized area.
This intense, localized pressure causes the tiny blood vessels, or capillaries, just beneath the skin’s surface to rupture slightly. The resulting leakage of red blood cells and other fluids into the surrounding tissue creates the discoloration, a process known as ecchymosis. This is essentially a controlled bruise, which is often painless and differs from a bruise caused by impact trauma. The color of the mark, ranging from light pink to deep purple, is thought to indicate the degree of stagnation or tension in the underlying tissue.
Factors That Influence Mark Severity and Duration
The appearance and longevity of the temporary marks are highly dependent on several variables related to the treatment and the individual receiving it. The intensity and duration of the cup’s suction significantly influence the marks, with stronger suction generally leading to darker, longer-lasting discolorations. Leaving the cups on the skin for an extended period, often beyond the standard five to ten minutes, can also increase the severity of the marks.
A person’s individual physiology plays a substantial role in the healing process. Those taking blood-thinning medications, for example, may find their marks are darker and take longer to fade due to altered blood clotting capabilities. Overall health, hydration status, and skin sensitivity are also contributing factors. Inexperienced practitioners may inadvertently cause more severe marks, such as blistering, if they apply excessive or prolonged suction, which increases the time needed for the skin to return to its normal appearance.
Aftercare and Strategies for Faster Fading
Once the temporary marks have appeared, the focus shifts to supporting the body’s natural process of reabsorbing the pooled blood. Staying well-hydrated is one of the most effective strategies, as adequate water intake supports the lymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing cellular waste and fluids from the tissue. Gentle, light massage around the edges of the cupped area can also encourage blood flow and help break down the stagnation, promoting faster fading.
Topical applications can be used to soothe the area and assist the healing process. Arnica-based creams are a popular choice, as arnica is often used to reduce bruising and inflammation. Avoiding extreme temperatures, such as very hot showers, saunas, or direct sun exposure on the marks for the first 24 to 48 hours, is also recommended. The marks typically fade on their own within a few days up to two weeks, transitioning from dark colors to a yellowish tint before disappearing completely as the body metabolizes the red blood cells.