Gua sha and cupping therapy are common treatments in traditional Chinese medicine. Gua sha is used to remove superficial stagnation, while cupping is used to extract deeper issues. So, how long should you wait before taking a shower after gua sha and cupping?
How Long to Wait Before Showering after Gua Sha and Cupping
It is generally recommended to wait 12-24 hours before taking a shower.
After gua sha and cupping, if there is blood stagnation in the body due to wind-cold, summer-heat, heat, or blood stasis, there will be evident sha marks and cupping marks in the affected areas. The pores in these areas will be open, and washing too soon can cause cold invasion and damage to the skin. Waiting for 12-24 hours allows the pores to return to their normal state and the damaged skin to recover, so you can shower without worrying about cold invasion or skin damage.
Pros and Cons of Gua Sha and Cupping
Pros of Gua Sha and Cupping
1. Cupping helps dispel cold and dampness, unblock meridians, remove stagnation, promote qi and blood circulation, reduce swelling and pain, and detoxify the body. It also balances yin and yang, relieves fatigue, and enhances physical fitness.
2. Gua sha promotes the circulation of qi and blood, improves metabolism, enhances microcirculation, cleanses the internal environment, and detoxifies the body.
Cons of Gua Sha and Cupping
The cons of gua sha and cupping are usually due to improper operation or not following the contraindications.
1. Prolonged and excessive gua sha and cupping can cause damage to the skin tissues, which not only fails to relieve fatigue but also increases the burden on the body.
2. For people with skin ulcers or other skin conditions, gua sha and cupping are not enjoyable but rather torturous. These therapies can cause greater damage to already fragile skin tissues and even lead to infections and worsen the condition.
3. People with certain blood disorders or problems with heart or liver function should avoid gua sha and cupping, as they can cause greater harm to the body.
Precautions after Gua Sha and Cupping
1. Do not consume cold drinks, eat watermelon, or touch cold water within two hours after gua sha and cupping.
2. Avoid using air conditioning or fans during gua sha and cupping to prevent air circulation.
3. Do not perform gua sha and cupping when you are excessively full, hungry, or thirsty. Wait at least one hour after a meal.
4. When using cupping, be careful not to burn or scald the skin. If the skin blisters or there is excessive cupping mark, simply apply disinfectant gauze to prevent infection. If the blister is large, use a sterilized needle to release the fluid, apply gentian violet solution, or use a disinfectant gauze wrap to prevent infection.
5. Gua sha and cupping are not suitable for individuals with allergies, ulcers, edema, or large blood vessels. They should also be avoided on the abdomen and lumbar regions of pregnant women.
How Long to Wait Before Showering after Acupuncture and Cupping
It is generally recommended to wait 12-24 hours before taking a shower after acupuncture and cupping to avoid cold and damp invasion.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical treatment method that involves stimulating specific acupuncture points to promote the circulation of meridians, harmonize yin and yang, and enhance the body's immune function. Acupuncture causes minimal damage to the body, and in general, it is safe to take a hot shower about two hours after acupuncture. However, to ensure the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment, it is recommended that patients avoid cold water on the first day after acupuncture to prevent cold and damp invasion. Similarly, it is usually advisable to wait a day before showering after cupping.
Reasons for Dark Purple Skin after Cupping
Dark purple skin after cupping is usually due to inadequate blood supply and venous congestion. Typically, it is caused by physical exhaustion and cold and damp stagnation, resulting in meridian stasis. This is why the skin appears dark purple after cupping.
What to Do
1. This is a normal phenomenon, indicating the expulsion of cold and dampness from the body. There is no need to worry too much as the dark purple color will gradually fade over time.
2. In addition to cupping, massage and Chinese medicine hot therapy can be used to stimulate blood circulation and promote meridian flow.
3. If the cupping marks do not fade after a month, it is advisable to seek treatment from a massage therapist. Hot compress can be applied. If it is not effective, a blood platelet test should be done to check if the values are normal.
Distinguishing Skin Colors after Cupping
1. Purple cupping marks with patches: generally indicates cold congealing and blood stasis.
2. Scattered purple dots in cupping marks with consistent depth: indicates qi stagnation and blood stasis.
3. Bright and red cupping marks: usually indicates yin deficiency, deficiency of both qi and blood, or yin deficiency with excessive yang.
4. Dark red cupping marks: indicates high blood lipid levels and presence of heat pathogen.
5. Grayish-white cupping marks that are not warm to touch: usually indicates deficiency-cold or damp pathogen.
6. Cupping marks with skin lines or slight itching: indicates wind pathogen or dampness.
7. Presence of water vapor on the inner wall of the cupping jar: indicates the presence of dampness in that area.
8. Appearance of blisters after cupping indicates excessive dampness in the body. If the blister contains blood, it is a reaction to damp-heat toxin.
