Most people who try wet cupping for the first time have the same worry beforehand: the blood. They picture something messy and painful. Then they get off the treatment bed 45 minutes later and wonder why they waited so long.
Wet cupping, known in the Muslim world as hijama, is one of the oldest therapies still practised today. In Singapore, people book it for many reasons. Some want to revive a Sunnah. Some want relief from a stiff back that massage never quite fixes. Some simply heard their friends talk about how light they felt afterwards.
We’ve been performing hijama in Singapore since 2013, always in our clients’ own homes. This guide covers everything you should know before your first session: what actually happens, how it differs from dry cupping, the recommended Sunnah days, the hygiene standards you should insist on, and how to look after yourself afterwards.
What Is Wet Cupping?
Wet cupping is a form of cupping therapy that combines suction with tiny, superficial scratches on the skin. The suction draws a small amount of blood into the cup, which the practitioner then removes and discards.
The word hijama comes from the Arabic root hajm, meaning to suck or draw out. The practice was common in the Arabian Peninsula long before Islam, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) both received hijama and spoke well of it. That’s why it holds a special place for Muslims, and why many Singaporean Muslims see it as more than a wellness treatment.
Versions of wet cupping also exist in traditional Chinese medicine and in old European medicine, where it was known as bloodletting by cupping.
What people book wet cupping for
Among our clients, the most common reasons are:
- Reviving the Sunnah of hijama
- Persistent tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back
- Headaches linked to muscle tightness
- A general sense of heaviness or fatigue
- Recovery and maintenance for people with physically demanding jobs
Wet cupping is a complementary therapy. It can sit alongside your regular medical care, but it doesn’t replace it, and any practitioner who promises it will cure a serious disease is one to walk away from.
The Wet Cupping Process, Step by Step
A full hijama session usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. Here’s exactly what happens.
- Consultation. Your practitioner asks about your health, medication, recent illness and what you’d like to address. This decides which points are used and whether wet cupping is suitable for you today.
- Preparation. We set up in a quiet room in your home, with a portable treatment bed or disposable covers and absorbent pads over your own bed. You lie face-down. The practitioner washes their hands, puts on fresh gloves, and cleans the treatment area with antiseptic.
- First suction (3–5 minutes). Cups are placed on the chosen points to draw blood towards the surface. The skin turns red or purple under each cup.
- Small scratches. Each cup is removed, and the practitioner makes a few very shallow scratches using a sterile single-use blade. These only touch the top layer of skin. Most people describe it as a light scratch, over in seconds.
- Second suction (5–10 minutes). The cups go back on, and the suction draws out a small amount of blood. Some practitioners repeat this once more on certain points.
- Removal and cleaning. Cups are removed carefully, the blood is wiped away and sealed as clinical waste for us to take away, and the area is cleaned again.
- Dressing and rest. A light antiseptic or traditional oil such as black seed oil may be applied. You rest for a few minutes, drink some water, and you’re done.
The amount of blood is smaller than most people expect. You won’t feel faint from the volume itself. If you do feel light-headed, it’s usually because you skipped a meal or felt anxious beforehand, so eat something light 2–3 hours before your session.
Wet Cupping vs Dry Cupping
The short version: dry cupping is suction only, while wet cupping adds the small scratches and draws blood. Both have their place.
| Wet cupping (hijama) | Dry cupping | |
|---|---|---|
| Skin broken? | Yes, very shallow scratches | No |
| Session length | 45–60 min | 20–45 min |
| Sunnah practice | Yes | No |
| Prep needed | Light meal 2–3 hours before, well hydrated | Minimal |
| Recovery | Rest for the day, marks fade in about 1–2 weeks | Back to normal straight away, marks fade in 3–10 days |
| Good for | Hijama as Sunnah, deeper traditional treatment | First-timers, muscle tension, sports recovery |
What we offer: we specialise in hijama, and every session is full-body hijama combined with a therapeutic massage. If it’s your first time and you feel nervous, tell us when you book and your practitioner will walk you through every step before starting. Read our full guide to cupping therapy in Singapore to compare all three types, including fire cupping.
Hijama in the Sunnah: The Recommended Days
Hijama is mentioned in several hadith. In Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet (peace be upon him) named cupping among the three things in which there is healing. Many Muslims in Singapore book hijama to follow this Sunnah, not only for its physical benefits.
The best days of the Islamic month
A hadith narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud recommends having hijama on the 17th, 19th or 21st of the lunar (Hijri) month. These dates fall in the second half of the month, and they’re the days our booking calendar fills up first.
Days of the week
Some narrations in Sunan Ibn Majah mention Monday, Tuesday and Thursday as preferred days, and discourage Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Scholars differ on how strong these narrations are, so many people treat the monthly dates as the main guide and the weekdays as a bonus where possible.
Planning your Sunnah hijama
- Check the Hijri calendar a week or two ahead and note when the 17th, 19th and 21st fall.
- Message us early. Sunnah dates that fall on a weekend are usually fully booked days in advance.
- If none of those dates work, hijama on another day is still permissible and still beneficial. Your health and comfort come first.
Safety and Hygiene: What You Should Insist On
Wet cupping breaks the skin, so hygiene isn’t a nice extra. It’s the whole job. Before you lie down, you should be able to see every one of these:
- Sealed, single-use blades opened in front of you and thrown away after your session
- Fresh gloves put on after hand-washing, and changed if the practitioner touches anything else
- Disposable cups, or cups sterilised to clinical standard between clients (we give every client a fresh set of disposable cups)
- Antiseptic skin preparation before the first scratch and after the last cup comes off
- Proper clinical waste disposal: a home-visit practitioner should seal and take away all blood-soaked cotton and blades, never leave them in your bin
- A clean setup with fresh disposable bed covers and absorbent pads, so nothing touches your sheets or sofa
If a practitioner skips any of these, leave. It doesn’t matter how cheap the session is.
Who should avoid wet cupping (or check with a doctor first)
- Pregnant women
- Anyone on blood thinners such as warfarin, or with a bleeding disorder
- People with anaemia or very low blood pressure
- Diabetics whose wounds heal slowly
- Anyone who recently donated blood, had surgery or is currently unwell
- People with skin infections, eczema flare-ups or broken skin in the treatment area
A good practitioner screens for all of this during the consultation and will postpone your session if needed. That’s a sign they take your safety seriously.
Wet Cupping Aftercare: The First 24 to 48 Hours
What you do after hijama matters almost as much as the session itself. Follow these and you’ll recover faster and avoid irritation.
Do
- Rest for the rest of the day. This is where home hijama wins: you’re already home, so there’s no travelling with a freshly cupped back.
- Drink plenty of water, especially in Singapore’s heat.
- Eat light, nourishing food such as soup, rice, vegetables, fish or fruit.
- Keep the scratches clean and dry. Apply black seed oil or the cream your practitioner gives you if advised.
- Wear loose, dark clothing to avoid rubbing and staining.
Avoid
- Showering for at least 3–4 hours, ideally until the next morning. Then use lukewarm water and pat the area dry.
- Gym, swimming and saunas for 24–48 hours. Pools and hot tubs are an infection risk while the skin heals.
- Heavy, oily meals and dairy on the day of your session, a common traditional recommendation.
- Sitting directly under strong air-con with your back exposed.
- Scratching or picking at the scratch lines as they heal.
What’s normal and what isn’t
Mild tiredness, light itching as the scratches heal, and cup marks that fade over 1 to 2 weeks are all normal. Increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus or a fever are not. If you notice any of these, contact your practitioner and see a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wet Cupping
Does wet cupping hurt?
Less than most people expect. The suction feels like a firm pull, and the scratches feel like a quick light graze. Most clients rate it as mildly uncomfortable at worst.
Will it leave scars?
The scratches are very shallow and normally heal without scarring within 1 to 2 weeks. People who scar easily (keloid-prone skin) should mention it during the consultation.
How much blood is taken?
Only a small amount, collected across all the cups. It’s far less than a blood donation.
How often should I do hijama?
Many people do it once every 1 to 3 months, often timed with the Sunnah dates. Your practitioner will suggest a frequency based on your health and goals.
Should I fast before hijama?
Traditionally, hijama is done on an empty or light stomach. We recommend a light meal 2 to 3 hours before your session so you don’t feel faint.
Can I do hijama at home?
Yes, with a trained practitioner. We come to your home anywhere in Singapore and bring everything: sterile single-use equipment, disposable covers and a portable bed if needed. All waste leaves with us.
Do you have female practitioners for sisters?
Yes. Hijama Singapore has a female practitioner for female clients (Monday to Saturday) and male practitioners for male clients, so sisters are treated by sisters and brothers by brothers, in the privacy of your own home.
Book Your Hijama Session in Singapore
Whether you’re reviving the Sunnah or finally dealing with that stubborn back, your first wet cupping session should be with an experienced, certified practitioner. We’ve practised hijama in Singapore since 2013, with sterile single-use equipment, a consultation before every treatment, and no need to leave your home. A 60-minute session of massage plus full-body hijama is SGD 110 per house visit (see all rates).
Book on WhatsApp: +65 8022 3055 · Book online · Home visits across Singapore
New to cupping? Start with our complete guide to cupping therapy in Singapore.