P. Sze 
Statistics show that every year, more than 100 million people get scars and many of which can cause potential health problems and affect confidence. As a result, people are looking for alternative ways to get the skin they’ve always dreamed of and get rid of the scars. If you’ve been looking for alternative ways to remove your scar, then you’ve come across some friends or family that suggested you try cupping for scar tissue.
I can understand that you are a little skeptical of this treatment because you must have learned by now that it is not easy to remove a scar for good. For the last couple of years, there has been a lot of attention focused on cupping, and it’s all the rage right now. With celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Lena Dunham, the star of the HBO TV series Girls, flaunting their cupping marks, it’s safe to say that the interest in this trend has only just begun.
So, the question is, can this Chinese treatment live up to expectations, or is it just another fluke? Let’s take a closer look at the science behind cupping and what it can do for your scars.
Scar Tissue – The Basics
Before you jump at any treatment, no matter how effective it might be, you must understand what’s going on in your body. Understanding what the scar tissue is can help you take better care of your skin.
The moment the skin gets damaged, your body will start to release collagen as a natural part of the healing process. This is the type of protein responsible for making up all the tissues in the system. But, when the collagen doesn’t produce the same aligning in the skin as the original tissue, that’s when the scar tissue starts to form.
When the tissue has taken this hard form, that’s when scars become visible. The skin can’t get the blood supply it needs to regenerate and function properly. The tissue will then lose its elasticity, and the nerve endings will end up underdeveloped, making it less likely for the scar to regenerate on its own.
How Can Cupping for Scar Tissue Help?
Depending on the type of scar tissue, whether it is external or internal, patients can try multiple cupping techniques. The methods may be a little different, but the results and effects are the same. It can:
- Restore proper blood circulation
- Remove the excess waste from the tissues
- Supply the tissue with water and nutrients
Before the massage begins, the therapist will apply plenty of oil to the skin, like the Lure Essentials Massage Oil, for example. With a completely natural product such as this one, the surface of the skin will be well-lubricated and easy to work with.
The therapist will then add the suction cups directly on the scar tissue, like the K.S. Choi Corp Cupping Set, for example. They are top quality plastic cups resistant to heat and shock.
The moment the cup is attached to the skin, it will create a powerful vacuum that will slowly and carefully lift the tissue around the scar. According to research, this type of technique helps the skin dispose of all the toxins that have piled up in the tissue over time and restore proper circulation, allowing the body to heal on its own.
The effect of this technique is relatively simple. By lifting the skin, the lymph and blood can finally circulate a lot easier than before. This can help the body kick-start the natural rejuvenation process.
With time, the scar tissue will start to loosen up and clear the veins, arteries, or any blockages in the capillaries. This will allow more blood, nutrients, vitamins, and water to get to the skin.
Once the scar gets access to all these nutrients, especially water, it will start to rejuvenate a lot quicker. Statistics show that when the wounded affected area receives enough moisture and hydration, it will heal 50% faster than it would when it’s completely dry or devoid of nutrients. Therefore, it might prove super helpful for small scars from cuts, scrapes, stretch marks to more serious surgical injuries, like after birth.
What About the Markings on the Skin, Aren’t They Scars?
Cupping will indeed leave circular marks on your skin after a treatment. Due to the vacuum and powerful suction the cups will create, they will affect the underlying dermis and leave marks in the shape of a circle. Sometimes these marks can be dark purple, red, or yellow.
However, these marks are there for a reason, and no, they will not remain on the skin forever. Cupping for scar tissue works in a very similar way to acupuncture. It will release all the stagnation and help the body get rid of the excess waste. Once the system has drained all the toxins and has broken up the tissue, the cupping marks will regenerate. If you want to speed up the healing process, you can try a topical cream or gel for bruising, like the Boiron Arnicare Gel. It will absorb quickly into the skin and supply it with natural components to speed up the recovery.
Typically, they will disappear on their own in around two weeks or a couple of days. There will be no visible bruises on the skin.
Conclusion
Cupping has a lot to offer, and from all of its effect and health-boosting properties, it can be extremely beneficial for removing scars and treating the scar tissue. While cupping for scar tissue can’t completely get rid of some more severe injuries, it can help lighten them up so that you can feel more comfortable.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1125033/
https://elle.in/article/9-celebrities-who-are-into-cupping/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4540216/
https://www.medicinenet.com/cupping/article.htm
https://www.alldeepmassage.com/blog/heres-why-cupping-all-rage/
