Cupping marks: what they are and when they fade
Cupping
4 min read
Hannah Brooks, LMT
Those round marks are not bruises in the usual sense. Here is what causes them and how long they last.
Cupping uses gentle suction to lift the skin and muscle underneath. That pull brings blood to the surface, which leaves round pink, red or purple marks.
The marks are usually painless and fade in three to seven days. Darker marks tend to show up where muscles are tightest, and they often get lighter over a few sessions.
Plan around them if you have a wedding or a swim meet coming up, and tell us if you bruise easily or take blood thinners.
This article is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Results vary from person to person. If you have chest pain, sudden weakness or trouble breathing, call 911.
Written by
Hannah Brooks, LMT
Reviewed by the Willow Street clinical team.
