Cupping: Ancient Chinese medicine could hold 'cure' for facial acne

Cupping, a Chinese therapy that helps stimulate the flow of the body's energy is found to be useful in other ways.

The alternative medicine has been around for centuries and is now thought to help treat severe acne. To create suction, special cups are put on your skin for a few minutes.

"Regular treatments in both facial cupping and facial acupuncture can help a lot with many skin conditions (including acne symptoms) as they promote blood flow to the area, thereby promoting healing," Vivian Tam, founder of Cosmetic Acupuncture Melbourne, told Body+Soul.

"When there is increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, you are also helping to move toxin build up in the facial skin, reducing heat and inflammation accumulation," she further explained.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, a few Australian acupuncturists and beauticians swear by this treatment.

But is it safe and does it have side effects? According to Dr Jon Marshall, an Australian acupuncturist from Back in Health Osteo, there is no cause for alarm.

"The most scathing opinions have taken the extreme stance, warning that 'fads' such as cupping can become dangerous if people start to use them in place of seeing their GP," Dr Marshall is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Adding, "Cupping practitioners have never suggested that cupping is a miracle cure or that it should be used in isolation to cure ailments."