Lymphatic drainage is not only good for your overall health, but it can also benefit your skin too. Lymphatic therapy uses facial massage with facial tools or machines to make your face less puffy. It improves blood circulation, giving skin a healthy, radiant glow.

The treatment drains lymphatic fluid on the face and body. The lymphatic fluid contains waste and toxins that can make your skin look dull and puffy. The massage detoxifies the skin, which can help prevent inflammation and redness. This is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.

Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and the movement of lymph fluids around the body. It can help relieve symptoms of lymphedema.

The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from body tissues. Some health conditions can cause lymph fluid to build up.

Lymphatic drainage massages may benefit people with lymphedema, fibromyalgia, or other conditions.

Lymphatic massage aims to improve the flow of lymph fluid, which should reduce swelling. Massaging an area without swelling will make space for fluid to flow to those parts from more congested areas.

There are two types of lymphatic drainage:

• Manual: A qualified therapist will perform manual lymphatic drainage.
• Simple: Simple lymphatic drainage is a technique a person can use at home.

Anyone planning on learning simple lymphatic drainage should learn how to do it from a specialist. It is essential to know which area to massage and how much pressure to use.

Who can benefit?

Lymphatic massages can benefit people who have a buildup of lymphatic fluid. This may occur due to trusted Source:

• cancer and cancer treatments that involve the removal of lymph nodes
• filariasis, which is an infestation of the lymph nodes by a parasite carried by mosquitoes
• some types of vascular surgery, such as vein stripping
• burn scar excision
• lipectomy, a type of surgery to remove fat from the body
• infection or trauma in the lymphatic system
• a buildup of fluid due to deep vein thrombosis
• health conditions that affect blood flow to the extremities

Lymphatic buildup affects around 1 in 5 females after treatment for breast cancer.

According to a 2021 reviewTrusted Source, manual lymph drainage may also improve the quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.

People can perform most of these exercises either standing, sitting, or lying down, as long as they are comfortable.

Keep the following tips in mind during a lymphatic massage:

• These massage movements should affect only the skin, so use gentle pressure and do not press hard enough to feel the muscles.
• Keep the hands relaxed.
• Do not massage areas with swelling or infection.
• Do not massage areas of the body that have undergone treatment for cancer.
• Drink extra fluids, ideally 2–4 glasses of water, after each massage to help flush the body.
• During the massage, there should be no pain or skin reddening.
• Do not use lotions or other products, only the hands.