Wellness is about taking care of all parts of our body. We’re used to taking steps to support our metabolism, mental well-being, sleep patterns, digestion, and skin health but true wellness goes even deeper. It also means caring for our lymphatic system, which is essential for detox and immune defense.
That may not sound all that important, but it is. Getting rid of waste and toxins can not only make us feel way better, but it can make us look better, too. And, since all systems of the body are interconnected, small additions to your healthy lifestyle like adding lymphatic drainage massage can help elevate all your holistic wellness routines.
So, today, we’re going to dive deep into lymphatic drainage. We’ll talk about what it is, how it works, and how you can start reaping the benefits ASAP. Here’s what you need to know:
How Often Should You Get A Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
The lymphatic system plays an essential role in immune health and natural detoxification. And, one of the best ways you can support this system is through lymphatic drainage massage. These intentional, rhythmic massages can not only be super relaxing, but super beneficial for your health and overall beauty goals. It’s a must in our daily wellness routine!
What is a Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle and intentional massage technique that’s designed to stimulate the flow of lymph fluid. This fluid is what carries waste and toxins out of your body while also carrying immune cells where they need to go to fight infections. Obviously, it’s a pretty important process.
Most massages focus on muscle relaxation and tension release, but that's not what lymphatic drainage massage is about. These techniques target lymphatic vessels and nodes to boost circulation and get things moving. The manual lymphatic drainage is super beneficial because unlike other systems like the heart, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a central pump to promote circulation. By encouraging this flow, lymphatic drainage massage helps reduce swelling, enhance skin health, flush out toxins, and leave you feeling lighter, more energized, and beautifully refreshed from the inside out.
How Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Work?
Encourages Circulation and Flow of Lymph Fluid
The intentional motions stimulate the lymphatic system to promote circulation and the flow of lymph fluid. This helps the lymphatic system carry out all its essential roles like supporting immune response and delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your tissues.
Removes Trapped Fluid From Tissues
Like we mentioned, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump to ditch trapped fluids from tissues. So, the massage triggers drainage to get all that excess fluid out. This can be super beneficial for your health and beauty by reducing puffiness, boosting recovery after injury/surgery, and creating a more sculpted overall look.
Supports Natural Detox
Lymphatic drainage massage plays an important role in boosting the immune system and enhancing your body's ability to naturally detoxify. By stimulating lymph flow, it aids in removing toxins and waste products from the tissues, supporting your body’s natural cleansing processes. This detoxifying effect not only helps maintain overall health, but can also brighten your skin and leave you feeling refreshed and radiant from the inside out.
How Often Should You Do Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
You can really do lymphatic drainage massage as often as you want! However, it’s essential that you stay hydrated, because as the massage stimulates the movement of lymph fluid and helps your body release toxins and waste from your bloodstream, it can actually make you feel sick. This is because your body has to find a way to filter out and eliminate all the extra stuff, leaving you with flu-like symptoms. But, water helps flush out the toxins faster and supports your kidneys to help you feel refreshed (not sick) post-massage.
So, as long as you’re staying hydrated, you can do regular lymphatic massages. Do light massages daily with your skin care routine and do deeper massages bi-weekly. You may want to do deeper sessions more often post-surgical procedures, because it can really boost your recovery time. You can learn more about that in this episode of the Him & Her Podcast.
Side note: If you have ongoing health conditions, make sure you talk to your doctor before starting regular sessions of lymphatic drainage massage. Some active infections, heart conditions, and DVT could worsen with this type of therapy.
How To Do Lymphatic Drainage Massage
How to Prepare for Lymphatic Drainage Massage:
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Gather your tools: Start with essentials like The Skinny Confidential Ice Roller, Mint Roller, and Face Massager. Each tool offers different benefits like cooling, body sculpting, and encouraging muscle relaxation.
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Clean your hands and tools: Always wash your hands and sanitize all facial tools to ensure your whole routine is hygienic and maximally beneficial.
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Set the mood: Create a calm space with non-toxic candles, soothing music, and dim, warm lighting. Your environment is part of the ritual, too!
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Prep your skin: Apply The Skinny Confidential De-Puffing Face Oil to reduce friction, deeply hydrate, and support glide for all tools. It also helps deliver skincare nutrients during the massage.
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Hydrate internally: Drink a glass of water beforehand to support lymphatic drainage. Boost your hydration with Beauty Salt to enhance mineral absorption and promote that glowy skin.
How to Do a Facial Lymphatic Drainage Massage:
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Start at the jawline: Use your Face Massager to glide along the jawline toward the ears. Repeat that on both sides.
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Cheek sculpting: Move from the sides of the nose out toward the temples using sweeping motions. You should be using gentle but firm pressure.
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Under-eye de-puffing: With an Ice Roller or Mint Roller, gently roll from the inner corner of the eye outward. This helps reduce puffiness and tension, especially when combined with our face oil.
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Forehead smoothing: Sweep upward from the eyebrows to the hairline using your roller to relieve stress and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
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Target facial pressure points: Massage facial pressure points to reduce muscle tension as an added bonus to your health and beauty.
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Finish at the neck: Always end by rolling down the sides of the neck to flush everything out through the lymph channels.
How to Do a Full-Body Lymphatic Drainage Massage:
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Neck drainage: Using your preferred tool, gently massage the sides of the neck downward toward the collarbone to open lymphatic pathways.
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Décolletage stimulation: Press lightly above the collarbones with downward strokes to encourage fluid movement.
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Armpit clearing: Massage under the armpits, directing flow toward the chest for lymphatic activation.
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Abdominal detox: Make small clockwise circles around your belly button, gradually widening the motion and guiding it down toward the groin area.
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Leg drainage: Stroke upward from feet to knees, then knees to groin, using light pressure to support circulation.
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Arm flow: Massage from fingertips upward to shoulders, always directing toward the armpits where lymph nodes cluster.
Regular lymphatic drainage massage is the perfect addition to your wellness routine.
Adding lymphatic drainage massage to your routine is an easy way to boost your body’s natural detox processes and feel more energized. Just remember to stay hydrated, be consistent, and enjoy the powerful benefits for your health and beauty.
For more tools and techniques to help you elevate your wellness routine, browse The Skinny Confidential Shop. Whatever you’re trying to achieve, we’ve got resources to help you refine your routine and reach your goals. Let us be your go-to place for all things health, wellness, and beauty!
