10 years younger with facial cupping

A new twist on an age-old Chinese healing practice promises to erase wrinkles and slim the face—and it’s fast becoming the go-to anti-aging treatment for stars. But does it work? Celebrity skin-care experts weigh in

Back in 2013, Jennifer Aniston caused a stir when she stepped out on the red carpet with odd red welts on her back. Turns out, she had tried cupping therapy, a Chinese technique that dates back to 3000 bc and uses suction cups to lift and massage body tissues to ease muscle aches. And as A-listers like Uma Thurman are now discovering, the benefits of cupping don’t end there. When performed on the face, cupping is said to deliver powerful anti-aging benefits.

How it works: A practitioner massages oil (like coconut or argan) onto the face and neck, then places small glass suction cups on the skin. The cups are moved methodically along the neck and face, lifting the tissue beneath skin to increase circulation and help flush trapped toxins and excess fluids.

Proponents say the beautifying benefits are immediate. “By guiding those stagnant fluids away from the skin and ushering blood and oxygen back into it, the face is left with a radiant glow,” says facialist Ildi Pekar, who performs the treatment on stars at Ildi Pekar Wellness Studio in New York City.

Plus, the technique reduces bloat and puffiness in the face and throat.

Facial cupping also offers long-term benefits, says New York City celebrity dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. “The suction creates mild stretching of the skin, which puts tension on collagen-producing cells called fibroblasts, stimulating them to produce more of the skin-firming protein.” And the repeated lifting motions stimulate connective tissues to give the face and jowl area a more lifted, sculpted look.

As for the unsightly red marks body cupping creates, experts say if done right, that’s not a concern on the face. In fact, facialist Thuyen Nguyen, who has worked with Thurman, has said,

“It takes about 5 or 10 minutes for the blood to settle in and then skin looks amazing…you don’t have the circle marks like you do with body cupping.”

Still, there are downsides. Facial cupping is pricey and commitment is key to optimal results. “Since poor diet, lack of sleep and stress are all factors in the body’s accumulation of toxins, cupping yields the best results when accompanied by a healthier lifestyle,” says Pekar. “And just like regular exercise, the more you ‘exercise’ facial muscles with cupping, the more likely you are to see extended benefits.”

Want to try it? High-end spas and acupuncturists offer facial cupping, or consider an at-home kit (like Glam Face Cupping Facial System, LureEssentials.com). Note: Follow the directions carefully to avoid bruising.