Cupping therapy is a technique designed to speed up recovery, flush toxins, reduce pain, and increase blood flow. It involves placing cups on your skin, and uses a vacuum to draw stagnant blood to the surface of the skin.
The right aftercare is important to get the most from the treatment. So, should you shower after cupping? Can you expose the cupping marks to the sun, and what can you do to speed up recovery?
I’ve had cupping therapy a few times and can help answer all the questions you may have about aftercare:
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Should You Shower after Cupping?
It’s best if you don’t shower immediately afterwards. The skin will be tender and sensitive to temperature, ideally, you should give your skin 24 hours so you can see the effects of the cupping.
If you really need to shower then use lukewarm water. Don’t scrub the area that has been treated, and don’t soak the area.
How Long Will It Take for Cupping Marks to Disappear?
The time it takes for cupping marks to go away varies. It can take anywhere from a day or two, to more than a week.
It depends on how dark the marks are. The darker in color the marks are, the more stagnant blood has been pulled to the surface.
The good news is, the longer it takes the greater benefit you’re getting from the treatment. Look at the red circles as a badge of honor.
How Can I Speed up Healing from Cupping Marks?
There are a few things you can do to speed up how quickly the marks disappear:
Drink plenty of water – Keep hydrated, toxins are being flushed from your body so you need to keep well hydrated. This means staying away from alcohol too!
Keep the cupping marks covered – Keep the area covered with loose fitting clothing. Don’t expose the area to sunlight, and don’t bathe or shower.
Rest up – Rest is always the best way to help your body recover. Get plenty of sleep, don’t exercise within 24 hours, and try to not lay on the cupping marks.
What Should I Do before a Cupping Session?
Before you go for a cupping session it’s recommended you drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, foods high in sugar, caffeine, and don’t eat too much in the way of processed foods.
This is because cupping stimulates the release of toxins that have been building up in your body. Hydration is particularly important to this process.
Are Cupping Marks Bruises?
The red circles left by the cups used in cupping therapy are not bruises. This is one of the largest misconceptions about cupping.
The marks are called petechiae. They are caused by blood leaking into the skin, this older blood is flushed out and replaced with fresh, oxygenated blood.
How Often Should I Have Cupping Therapy?
This is something you will need to ask your therapist and will be a lot easier to answer after your first session.
The color of the marks will give an indication how much trauma there has been to the area, the health of the tissue, and how many more treatments you’ll need.
Make sure you’re aware of any possible side effects covered in this post.
I’m a MA, (CMT) Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and Reiki Master — I’m a licensed massage therapist with over 10 years of experience in the industry.
I can’t find anything on what can happened if A person takes a shower before and after cupping… so should I cup myself right after a shower?