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 Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
