Lymphatic Drainage Will Sculpt & Tone Your Skin (For Free)

Whenever you see lifting or sculpting claims, it’s typically alongside an expensive new skincare tool, celeb treatment, or a $500 miracle cream. Well, this DIY massage technique gives seriously impressive sculpting results without the price tag… Introducing lymphatic drainage massage. A massage technique that instantly de-puffs and simultaneously helps lift the face. It can even help target skin concerns like acne, uneven skin tone, and dark circles. Now we have your attention, here’s the full DL on lymphatic massage plus our step-by-step guide.

What is a Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

Lymphatic drainage is a relaxing massage technique that drains lymphatic fluid via your lymph nodes. Lymphatic fluid helps remove waste and toxins from your tissues, however, if the fluid becomes stagnant it can lead to a myriad of skin concerns, including acne, skin dryness or other skin issues. By manually boosting drainage via your lymph nodes, it helps to carry waste products away from your skin and back toward the heart. The technique also helps to smooth out the connective tissue (fascia) that’s affected by tension, which creates a beautiful lift in the face. Seriously, after a 10-minute lymphatic massage, you’ll be able to see a real lift.

While removing excess fluid, it’ll also enable your lymphatic system to boost the delivery of fresh and vital nutrients to your cells. By simply using continual strokes to massage and stimulate lymphatic fluid, you’ll boost circulation, delivering a radiant glow, all the while creating a lifting effect. The benefits aren’t limited to your face either, in fact, full-body lymphatic massages are a celeb fave RN, but facial massage is definitely easier to DIY! Here’s our go-to technique…

How To Give Yourself a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

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Step 1: Prep the Skin

Start with cleansed skin, then follow with your usual skincare routine. As the last step of your routine, apply four to six drops of your go-to facial oil, which will give you plenty of slip to massage without tugging your skin. Our new go-to oil is the WISHFUL Get Even Face Oil, $63; it’s a luxurious oil packed with 15 different oils to hydrate, nourish, and even skin tone and texture.

Step 2: Release Tension in Your Neck

Next, release any tension in your neck muscles by using continual strokes from the neck up towards your face.

Step 3: Massage Your Face

To begin the lymphatic facial massage, start at your chin and glide your hands along your jawline up towards your ear with light but firm pressure. Continue to move upwards in this outward direction from the center of the face, using gentle strokes to encourage the movement of lymphatic fluid towards your lymph nodes for drainage.

When you reach your nose, apply a small amount of pressure and hold for two to three seconds, then continue moving upwards, taking particular care around your eyes. When you reach the front of your brows, apply a small amount of pressure, and hold for two to three seconds. The key thing to remember is to always move in an outwards direction, as the lymphatic drainage points are on the outer areas of the face. There are lots of different techniques for lymphatic drainage, but by following this general movement of outwards and upwards, you’ll see an immediate lift. If you’re dealing with breakouts, facialists recommend starting at the top of the face and around the eye area, and working in an outward direction, to flush out toxins before moving on to the rest of your face.

Have you ever tried a lymphatic drainage massage? Let us know in the comments below.