How Lymphatic Drainage Massage Reduces Inflammation and Improves Skin Health
The lymphatic system is made up of organs, blood vessels, and tissues that support the immune system and ensure a healthy balance of fluid throughout the body. When the lymphatic system becomes blocked due to bacteria, toxins, and viruses, fluid can build up. Lymphatic drainage massage helps reduce this buildup while speeding up the absorption and transport of lymph fluid.
Some lymphatic drainage advocates recommend performing the treatment on the face to reduce puffiness and dull skin. But does it work? Read on to learn more about the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage, how it works, and how to incorporate it into your skin care routine.
What is lymphatic drainage massage?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage therapy used to relieve painful swelling in the arms and legs associated with lymphedema, or excess fluid in the tissues. 1 Using special techniques, lymphatic drainage massage helps relieve painful swelling in the arms and legs. It drains fluid, also called lymph, from the tissues to the lymph nodes, which reduces swelling and discomfort.
How can I perform lymphatic drainage massage on my face?
There are 600 lymph nodes in the body, 200 of which are located in the neck. 2 The goal of a lymphatic drainage facial massage is to drain fluid that has accumulated in the face by moving it back to the lymph nodes in the neck. This means that lymphatic massage should be performed in a gentle, downward motion.
A lymphatic drainage facial massage includes the following steps:
Using a light oil or moisturizer, gently massage your neck in a downward, circular motion.
Move your face upward, working in a circular motion from the center of the face outward.
Massage along your jawline upward to your hairline, then downward.
Repeat the motion (outward and downward) along your cheekbones and forehead while massaging your face upward.
When it comes to the eye area, be especially careful with this sensitive skin. Gently massage from under your eyebrows down toward your hairline; repeat the motion under your eyes.
Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage for Skin Health
There is limited research on the benefits of lymphatic drainage for the face. But people who practice this type of massage say it can reduce swelling, puffiness, and inflammation while improving circulation. This is particularly helpful for those recovering from cosmetic surgery, such as a facelift or dermal fillers.
Whether it can improve wrinkles or fight other signs of aging is uncertain. Here’s what we know about the effects of lymphatic drainage on the body, which can have a positive impact on skin health:
1. Improved Circulation
Research shows that manual lymphatic drainage improves blood flow to the skin by increasing interstitial pressure. 3 Improved blood flow not only helps relieve facial puffiness, but also ensures that oxygen and other nutrients can reach skin cells and tissues, resulting in a more radiant complexion and faster scar healing.
2. Reduced Inflammation
Lymphatic vessels are thought to be the main transport pathway for inflammatory mediators. 4 Manually stimulating the lymphatic system through massage can reduce this inflammation and potentially relieve symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, acne, and even UV damage.
3. Hydrates the Skin
Just as lymphatic drainage massage can clear a path for oxygen and nutrients to reach skin cells, the same is true for moisturizing. This type of massage not only helps remove toxins and waste from the body, but it can also help the skin better absorb topical products, such as hyaluronic acid (a powerful moisturizer).
While more research is needed to prove that lymphatic drainage can aesthetically benefit your skin health, it’s worth noting that massage itself is a powerful stress reliever. Stress is a well-known trigger for acne, dark circles, rosacea and psoriasis flare-ups, and premature skin aging.
How to Incorporate Lymphatic Drainage into Your Skin Care Routine
Feel free to give your face a lymphatic drainage massage every day, but be sure to apply gentle pressure and use a moisturizer to help your fingers (or tools) glide better over the skin. Lymphatic drainage massage should not be confused with facial massage, which focuses on the muscles underneath the lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic drainage massage doesn’t have to penetrate as deeply.
Combine a lymphatic drainage massage with Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion for all skin types. Hyaluronic acid locks in moisture and deeply hydrates your skin for healthy, radiant skin. For an even stronger anti-inflammatory effect, this product also contains shea butter as well as chamomile, green tea, and olive extracts.
Hyaluronic acid combines perfectly with other FS products, such as FS Niacinamide Lotion, which suppresses inflammation while boosting keratin production, and FS Vitamin C, which brightens while boosting collagen synthesis.
Explore the complete Essentials Skincare range and find more resources to support your skin’s health in FS Journal.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.