Lifestyle & Wellness
You may not know much about lymphatic massage, but you’ve likely seen gua sha — one of the more popular ways to do it. Lymphatic drainage techniques, including gua sha, are trending for good reason. These massages target the lymphatic system, which helps remove waste and toxins from body tissues. Because the lymphatic system plays a big role in overall health, keeping it moving is important. A focused drainage massage can help it work properly. Below we’ll explain how the lymphatic system works and share simple at-home methods to stimulate it.
Table of Contents
Jump to…
– What is the lymphatic system?
– Why lymphatic massage matters
– Do I need lymphatic drainage?
– Facial lymphatic drainage massage
– Video: lymphatic facial massage for glowing skin
– Body lymphatic drainage with dry brushing
– What is dry brushing?
– Video: how to dry brush
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and ducts that runs through most body tissues. Its main job is to help remove certain wastes and toxins by draining excess fluid from tissues, filtering out foreign particles, and returning that fluid to the bloodstream. Lymph travels through vessels and passes through lymph nodes, which are packed with lymphocytes — white blood cells that fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Like blood, lymph circulates through the body, but it doesn’t have a pump like the heart. The lymphatic system is key to fighting illness and keeping us healthy. When fluid builds up, it can cause discomfort, fatigue, and even illness. The system also helps absorb dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins. With so many roles, it’s clear a healthy lymphatic system matters.
Why lymphatic massage matters
Unlike blood, which the heart pumps, lymph moves thanks to pressure, muscle movement, and one-way valves. Muscle contractions, diet, exercise, and gentle manipulation all help the system function. That’s where lymphatic massage comes in.
Massage gently encourages lymph to move, easing uncomfortable fluid buildup and reducing risks tied to sluggish lymph flow. When lymph is stagnant, toxins can build up and weaken immunity, leading to fluid retention, breathing and sinus issues, swollen glands, eczema, and more. Below are simple techniques that can help stimulate lymph flow at home using a few basic tools.
Do I need lymphatic drainage?
A slow lymph system often shows up as puffiness in the face, like fuller cheeks or under-eye bags. A gentle at-home massage can reduce swelling and may improve skin issues, too. Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas notes that stagnant lymph can contribute to acne and dry skin because waste buildup leads to inflammation. By promoting flow and clearing waste, you can help prevent congestion in the skin.
Facial lymphatic drainage massage
Step 1
Apply 3–4 drops of facial oil to give your fingers some slip and avoid tugging. Two good options are Facial Recovery Oil and Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil. If you want to use a gua sha tool, follow the tool’s instructions.
Product picks
– Facial Recovery Oil — Luxurious oil for all skin types
– Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil — With nourishing botanical oils
Step 2
Place your pointer and middle fingers about an inch from the center of your neck and apply gentle pressure. Lift your chin to help the drainage. Make 5–10 tiny circles while moving your fingers forward. Then move up to where the jaw meets the ear and do 5–10 small circles or downward strokes. Next, move down to the top of your collarbones and repeat small circles. These areas help lymph drain, so stimulating them supports flow.
Step 3
Bring your fingers to the top of the cheeks and do 5–10 circles. Move to the cheekbones under the eyes and repeat 5–10 circles. Then just under the eyebrows, do 5–10 circles. Finally, place your pointer, middle, and ring fingers vertically in the center of the forehead and make small circles across the forehead every inch until you reach the temples.
Step 4
Finish by sweeping your fingers down toward your neck and collarbones 5–10 times to guide fluid to where it drains into the bloodstream (via the subclavian veins at the base of the neck).
Leave the oil on afterward and drink plenty of water — well-hydrated tissue moves waste more easily.
Watch our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, demonstrate this routine.
Body lymphatic drainage with dry brushing
Like the face, the body can show signs of a sluggish lymphatic system through swelling, water retention, and even more noticeable cellulite. Lymphatic body techniques use light, rhythmic movements to encourage fluid to move under the skin without pressing on vessels. This helps prevent fluid buildup by gently stretching the skin toward lymph flow.
While professional massage is ideal, dry brushing is a simple, effective at-home method.
What is dry brushing?
Dry brushing comes from Ayurvedic practices and has been used for centuries. It’s a gentle detox method that helps move toxins without upsetting the body’s balance. Most brushes have a wooden handle or a strap for grip and natural bristles. The bristles are firm but, with light pressure, shouldn’t feel harsh. Dry brushing also exfoliates the skin.
For best results, brush dry skin. Some people dry brush in the shower (without running water) so loose skin cells wash away easily.
Step 1
Use a dry brush on clean, dry skin. Start at the neck to stimulate lymph flow — use wide, circular, clockwise motions and always brush toward the heart. Do about 10 strokes on the right, then 10 on the left. The goal is light stimulation of the lymph pathways under the skin.
Step 2
Don’t miss the armpits — there are lymph nodes there. Brush under the arm and down the back of the arm (from armpit to elbow), moving across the chest toward the heart. Do about 10 light strokes in each area.
Step 3
Brush your hands and lower arms next. Start at the fingertips and lightly brush up the arm toward the heart. Repeat 10 times on each surface, including the inside of the wrist up to the elbow.
Step 4
Lightly brush the abdomen. Make circles around the belly button in both directions, then brush from the lower stomach up toward the chest with gentle vertical strokes.
Step 5
Move to the legs. If you can, rest the leg on a bench or stool to reach it easily. Start at the top of the foot and brush up about 10 strokes. Do 10 strokes on the calf, front and back, spending extra time behind the knee and around the kneecap. Repeat on the other leg, then brush the thighs and buttocks.
After dry brushing, your skin will feel smooth but may be a bit dry. Finish with a quick shower — a short blast of cold water at the end can help by making lymph vessels contract and encouraging lymph movement. After drying off, apply a body cream like Stone Crop Contouring Body Cream to hydrate the skin.
Watch our Lead Skin Care Trainer, Natalie Pergar, show the dry brushing technique.
Now that you know how lymphatic drainage helps, try these techniques at home or visit your nearest Eminence Spa for a professional treatment.