Everyone on Social Media is Getting Lymphatic Drainage Facials. Should You Be Too?

6 min readChances are, you’ve woken up with your face looking a little puffier than you’d like at least a time or two. Whether it’s because of a late night out, a few too many salty snacks, seasonal allergies, or watching Voicemails to Isabelle, the struggle is real. For some, though, puffiness is chronic and doesn’t necessarily have a direct cause. Either way, the goal is the same: to beat the bloat and achieve a sculpted look, with chiseled cheekbones and a sharp jawline.Lymphatic drainage has been a topic of conversation as a full-body trend (the reason vibration plates have become so popular), but the same idea of moving lymph around can be applied to the face, too. And some people (even celebrities) swear by it, especially because the results can be dramatic. Plus, it is a legitimate medical practice that doctors often recommend to to those with certain health conditions such as lipedema or fibromyalgia to reduce fluid retention or to patients concerned about post-surgical swelling according to a 2023 study.Our question, though, is: should everyone be “draining” their face, and, frankly, what does it even mean to get your face drained in the first place. “Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph relies on muscle movement and external pressure to circulate,” explains Tiffany Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Providence. So, because there’s no built-in “pump” to move built-up fluid along, manual lymphatic drainage can be helpful. “These treatments can temporarily reduce fluid retention and facial puffiness,” she adds.Meet the experts: Tiffany Libby, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Providence. Gabriela Soza, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of SozaMD Dermatology & Aesthetics in Dallas. Lauren Martinez is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of lymphatic drainage and esthetic studio, Self Well Beauty in Nashville. Matthew Perry is a licensed massage therapist and the Learning & Development Manager at The NOW Massage.But, of course, it’s a little bit more complex than that. Because it’s not just about looks, but also what’s going on inside the body. For the right patient, the benefits of regular lymphatic drainage facials can be significant, says Gabriela Soza, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of SozaMD Dermatology & Aesthetics in Dallas. “There's a real benefit for anyone who wakes up consistently puffy. This isn't a just vanity issue. It's the lymphatics not clearing efficiently overnight.”Along with Drs. Libby and Soza, we tapped experts to share the myriad of benefits that come along with lymphatic drainage, and who it’s best suited to.What is a lymphatic drainage facial?At its core, “a lymphatic drainage facial uses very specific, light-pressure massage techniques to stimulate that flow and move excess fluid and metabolic waste away from the facial tissue,” explains Dr. Soza.As noted, not all lymphatic drainage treatments are the same, but the desired outcome is. “Practitioners may use their hands, tools like gua sha and cupping, facial reflexology, and even acupuncture to help drain the fluid, making their clients feel less puffy,” explains Lauren Martinez, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of lymphatic drainage and esthetic studio, Self Well Beauty in Nashville. “While the styles and techniques may change, the main goal of moving excess fluid out of the face and to the lymph nodes behind the ear and at the collarbone for a more snatched look remains the same.”A provider may also utilize technologies such as microcurrent and radiofrequency for even better results depending on the person’s facial anatomy and concerns. “The common thread across all legitimate techniques is direction: movements should always guide fluid toward lymph nodes, typically down the neck, toward the collarbone, and behind the ears,” says Dr. Soza. “You also always start at the neck to open the drainage pathway before working on the face.”The benefits of lymphatic drainage for the face.As Dr. Soza mentioned, the benefits can be quite significant. “You can expect a reduction in chronic puffiness, improved skin clarity, better product absorption—clearer pathways mean actives penetrate more effectively—and for my post-procedure patients, faster recovery,” to name a few. She explains, “After fillers, surgery, or laser treatments, lymphatic drainage can meaningfully reduce swelling and downtime Some patients with dull or congested skin see improvement in texture and tone with regular sessions.”However, our experts did point out that most of what you’re seeing from lymphatic drainage facials isn’t a permanent fix. “The ‘snatched’ appearance is largely due to a temporary reduction in fluid retention rather than changes to fat, muscle, or bone structure,” explains Dr. Libby. “While many people notice an immediate improvement in puffiness and facial definition, these effects typically last hours to a day or two.”Still, the technique and benefits are promising—a 2018 study found that facial massage increases circulation, which can improve the appearance of skin. Additionally, Matthew Perry, a licensed massage therapist and the Learning & Development Manager at The NOW Massage, says, “While those visible results are temporary, regular face massage can help support circulation, lymphatic flow and ongoing facial tension relief.”It’s important to note that the puffiness that we often equate to a little too much wine or too few hours of sleep could also be from tension and inflammation, in which case regular massages can help to reduce it. Martinez adds that a decrease in inflammation is also helpful in the aging process, as it helps prevent some of the gravitational pull that leads to wrinkles and sagging. “Think of your skin like a water balloon; a filled balloon will be heavy, creating pulling and stretching,” she says. “When we drain the excess fluid, we help prevent excessive mechanical stress and sagging of the skin.”Who should be getting lymphatic drainage facials? And how often?Depending on the technique you’re using, there aren’t many contraindications for lymphatic drainage, and it can be done daily. As for who should avoid it, Dr. Soza says, she’d hold off or approach carefully if you have “active facial infections or open wounds, active severe acne (vigorous manipulation can spread bacteria), significant active rosacea, blood clotting disorders, congestive heart failure or kidney disease, a history of cancer involving the lymph nodes or radiation to the head and neck, and thyroid conditions that affect the neck area. None of this means you can’t get lymphatic drainage, but Dr. Soza stresses that all require a conversation with your physician first.For those unaffected by the above, Martinez says, “I tell my clients to do a quick gua sha every morning when applying their skincare.” If not daily, Dr. Libby says it’s usually something that patients will go for before special events or every few weeks for maintenance. “Those recovering from facial surgery or cosmetic procedures may follow a more structured plan under the guidance of their physician.”So to put it simply, yes, you should be draining your face, if the benefits sound like what you’re looking for. Is lymphatic drainage going to completely change your looks or give you Gisele’s cheekbones? No, but it’s great for reducing fluid buildup to help reveal your face’s natural bone structure. And the increased circulation can help with revealing you a healthier-looking complexion, which can be particularly desirable for special occasions.The bottom line: Go for it, with some caveats.There are very few risks to lymphatic drainage massage, even for the face, provided you’re a good candidate (see above). And note: It shouldn’t be painful. While the word “drainage” can sound pretty harsh, and the idea of sharp, sculpted bone structure likely conjures the idea of intensity, but the lymph system actually responds better to lighter touch. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that stronger pressure produces better results,” Perry points out, explaining that “The most effective lymphatic techniques are light, intentional and relaxing, supporting the body's natural lymphatic flow while helping reduce the appearance of puffiness.”So, this should be a pleasant experience—and one that may have you looking twice when you pass a mirror afterward.Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer, editor, and brand consultant in the beauty, wellness, and lifestyle spaces. Lisa has been in this field for over ten years, collaborating with some of the top experts in the space and trying thousands of products along the way. Getting her start at QVC as an intern while she attended Drexel University, Lisa learned the ins and outs of working in media. After graduating, she began contributing to many top women's lifestyle magazines, including Fitness, Allure, Health, and Real Simple, before starting her freelance career. She has also made TV appearances on Good Morning America and the Today Show, among other news segments. Some of Lisa's most recent work can be found on Byrdie, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. Lisa currently resides in Nashville, where she is training to become a Pilates instructor while contributing to many of her favorite New York-based magazines and digital sites. Find her on Instagram at @lisa_desantis_ or check out her website: lisadesantis.co.Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.