Lymphatic drainage is a multi-beneficial, at-home beauty treatment worth trying

Bring home a spa-like experience as you subscribe to a quick (or long) session of lymphatic drainage—a beauty treatment with promising results for head-to-toe revitalisation

For most of us, a Sunday self-care ritual may involve a champi (hair oiling), facial masking or a quick body massage. But, if you’re looking to switch things up with an immersive beauty ritual, you may want to consider a lymphatic drainage massage. While it may not be a new concept, a lymphatic drainage massage has everyone talking, including  Hailey Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Cher, Anne Hathway and Jennifer Anniston, among a host of other celebrities. In fact, Rebecca Faria, a Beverly Hills-based lymphatic massage practitioner and founder of Detox by Rebecca, boasts an extensive waitlist of over 2,000 clients for her sought-after lymphatic drainage massage. Faria informsWWD that while the technique has just made its way to Hollywood, lymphatic drainage has been a part of Brazilian culture, which is also her native place.

From beauty pages on TikTok and Instagram to doctors and aestheticians, everyone is talking about lymphatic drainage massage and its many benefits, so we asked the experts to let us in on the scope of this technique and how one can ace it like a pro at home. 

What is lymphatic drainage? 

“There is a delicate network of pipes and nodes present all over our body that helps cells get rid of toxic fluids [that they push out], which get collected in the lymphatic pipes for final removal from our body. The cluster of these pipes collectively makes for the lymphatic system,” says Vibhuti Arora, face yoga expert and founder of House of Beauty. Lymphatic drainage refers to the various approaches implemented to improve the flow of such fluids through the lymphatic system, says Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist Dr Madhuri Agarwal.

The physical stimulation required to set the lymphatic drainage in motion can be initiated through several vehicles, such as specialised hand techniques (performed manually) or through a diverse set of sculpting tools, think gua sha, jade rollers, massaging cups and cones and more fabricated using different materials like wood, plastic and crystals for various purposes. Apart from ridding the body of excess fluids, lymphatic drainage massages also alleviate swelling, drain out lymph(s) and aid in preventing a whole host of illnesses if administered correctly, says Josephine Sinate, body therapist at the White Door India. 

The all-encompassing approach

Broadly speaking, lymphatic drainage massages encourage the body’s detoxification process and help to put the body into its parasympathetic state (state of rest and repair), which aids depuffing by getting rid of extra water. However, lymphatic drainage massages can benefit your face and body equally. While the fundamental feature of this ritual, dissipating water retention, remains the same across your body, the in-depth list of benefits for the face and body can vary ever so slightly. “When performed on the face, it reduces edema (swelling caused by trapped fluids in the area) and puffiness of the face, increases the blood flow and decreases dullness,” begins Agarwal, whereas “when performed on the body, it stimulates blood circulation, facilitates lymphatic flow to remove excess fluid and toxins from the bodily tissues and also maintains body fluid balance, thereby improving the immune system’s functions,” explains the dermatologist.

Why should you opt for lymphatic drainage massages for the face? 

Sinate says, “Tension in the jaw, cheek and neck area due to grinding of the teeth, strain in the muscles, and swelling can be the primary reasons for the accumulation of lymph fluid. Just like the rest of your body, when your facial muscles are tense, it will cause discomfort and disrupt the regular processes of optimal functioning.” She recommends fluctuating between lymphatic drainage-promoting treatments like face yoga, face contouring massages and facial de-puffing that can drain the excess fluid trapped in certain areas and helps boost blood flow. Additionally, Arora enumerates the other benefits of lymphatic drainage massages for the face. “Besides reducing facial swelling and puffiness, it [lymphatic drainage] can also help achieve an even skin tone, assists proper blood circulation and distribution of nutrients in the blood and reduces acne and skin inflammation.”

“When it comes to the body, people with inactive and fairly sedentary lifestyles, high-stress jobs, and health conditions may require lymphatic drainage more than the average active person,” believes Sinate. Many people interlink lymphatic drainage massages with a more toned and sculpted abdomen. “Regular lymphatic drainage massages can help you look more lifted, leaner, sculpted, and toned. Massage techniques can help remove toxins, reduce cellulite, and reduce fluid retention that may result in illnesses. It helps you feel lighter and relieves tension and stress in the muscles,” says the therapist, who opines that such massages may also break down fat in stubborn areas and help with debloating. However, it is vital to note that visually-perceived “slimming” effect is a result of the release of fluid accumulation, that was otherwise adding up to a bloated look and feel. Cellulite reduction and loss of inches are only possible by teaming a healthy lifestyle and physically-active practices with external massages.

Do you always need a tool for a lymphatic drainage massage?

“Lymphatic drainage can be done dry and wet,” says Arora. While the most common agencies for executing a lymphatic drainage massage involve the application of an oil or cream in the initial stages for enhanced lubrication and seamless movement, a handful of techniques eliminate the use of any ointment, which falls under the ‘dry’ category — dry brushing, for instance. “While dry brushing and ice rolling are forms of dry lymphatic drainage, gua sha, rollers, body cups and hand massages are forms of wet lymphatic drainage,” shares Arora. “Lymphatic drainage needs the right amount of oil – not too much or too little for the moves to be correctly implemented.”

“For any lymphatic drainage massage, there has to be a slip to the skin; this is usually achieved using an emollient body oil before the massage and helps the body tools glide on with ease. This is especially important to ensure that there is no stretching or irritation of the skin,” shares Sinate. At the same time, tools help you achieve better results. When you are just starting, you can use your fingers and fist to administer the treatment at home effectively.”

If and when you’re ready to use technique-driven tools, a gua sha (wooden ones for the body, preferably) and a dry brush are great starting points. “For the face, with a lightweight facial oil, choose between a gua sha or a facial roller depending on the area you would like to target and the pressure you would like to maintain,” suggests Sinate. “I would recommend always consulting a good body therapist for direction for at-home use in understanding frequency, pressure, the technique, pre- and post-care and so on.”

Techniques worth nothing

Arora swears by three simple and beginner-friendly techniques — face tapping, a face and neck massage (downwards always) and collar bone tapping. “Jumping (in case you exercise) or dry brushing before you shower is the easiest way to start a home lymphatic drainage routine.” Agarwal believes one should know the anatomy well and massage the lymphatic system by gently stroking it with the tips of your finger or a massaging tool. “Start in the middle of your face, move up and forth towards your ears, then slowly move it down to your neck,” says the doctor, breaking down her take on the lymphatic drainage system.

“All the movements should be directed towards the heart,” says Sinate. “Lymphatic drainage massages assist the body to filter out the blood and prevent blockages, infections, and risk of cancers. An important step to activate your lymph nodes before a massage is creating micro-movements such as soft taps and beginning the massage focused upward towards the heart. A combination of a lymphatic drainage massage and a sauna treatment right after derives the best results,” she concludes.

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