Struggling with sluggish skin? Lymphatic drainage massage might just be the rejuvenation your complexion yearns for. Here's a guide, straight from the experts, on performing it correctly.
In the pursuit of clearer, healthier skin, lymphatic drainage massage has emerged as a popular and effective technique. This non-invasive method stimulates the lymphatic system to remove waste and toxins from the body, offering numerous benefits such as detoxification, enhanced circulation, boosted collagen productivity, and improved skin texture and tone.
Celebrity facialist and skincare expert Michaella Bolder is a huge fan of lymphatic drainage massage and will soon launch online facial tutorials to help others harness its benefits. Here's a step-by-step process for performing a DIY lymphatic drainage massage at home:
- Begin with deep breathing to stimulate the overall lymphatic system and relax the body. Keep returning to your breath throughout the massage.
- Open and clear lymph nodes starting at the armpits and collarbone:
- Gently stroke or lightly pump the armpit area with your palm for about 5-10 repetitions on each side to stimulate lymph nodes.
- Tap your fingertips inside and underneath the collarbone for about 10 seconds each side to activate collarbone lymph nodes.
- Stimulate lymph flow from the face downward toward the neck and collarbone:
- Glide your fingers or knuckles down from beneath the earlobe to the collarbone on both sides with gentle pressure, using 8-10 strokes.
- Sweep across the chest from side to side with your hand for about 20 strokes to open the chest area.
- Massage key facial areas in sequence to encourage lymph movement:
- Under the chin along the jawline toward the ear lobes with thumbs, using medium pressure and lifting motions repeated 8-10 times.
- Glide finger knuckles over the jaw to the ears with firm pressure, pausing for 3 seconds at the ears, repeated 10 times.
- Roll your index finger beside the nose, up and underneath the cheekbones toward the ears, lifting and repeating 3 times per side.
- Sweep both index fingers from the nose bridge underneath the cheeks to the ears 12-15 times.
- Lightly feather your fingertips from the nose bridge, under the eyes to the temples, repeating 8-10 times to reduce puffiness and stimulate gentle drainage.
- Finish by sweeping with both hands from the face center outwards and down the neck to the collarbones 3 times to clear fluid fully into the lymph nodes.
- You may apply a light oil (such as a botanical breast oil or facial oil) to aid smooth strokes and hydration during massage, especially after showering or before bed.
Additional tips: - Use very light to medium pressure—lymphatic drainage massage should feel gentle and soothing, never harsh or deeply kneading. - Regular practice (daily or several times a week) can help reduce facial puffiness, clear toxins, improve circulation, and give skin a brighter, healthier appearance. - Techniques like dry brushing for the body or incorporating massage after surgery (e.g., BBL) are specialized forms of lymphatic drainage but follow similar principles of gentle, directional strokes toward nodes.
This DIY method encourages natural detoxification by assisting your body's own lymphatic system to flush out fluid and waste, promoting clearer, more radiant skin without aggressive treatments. If you're experiencing persistent breakouts along your jawline, like the writer, an at-home lymphatic drainage massage could be a helpful addition to your skincare routine.
