Ever had a facial where the aesthetician massages your face and neck? (The best part, really.) Beyond feeling great, the massage is helping your face and body move lymph fluid and flush toxins, improving puffiness, blood flow and overall complexion. but you don’t have to wait for your next professional service. Here’s a quick tutorial from Amy Leavell Bransford, owner of Aviary Beauty + Wellness Atlanta, on how to knock out an easy lymphatic facial massage at home, and what lymphatic fluid is exactly…
What’s lymphatic fluid anyway?
Think of the lymphatic system as your body’s filtration system that is responsible for filtering unwanted toxins and bacteria through its lymph nodes located throughout the body. Lymph fluid is a colorless, water-like fluid that carries the toxins to the nodes for removal. “Unlike blood that has a heart to keep things moving, the lymphatic system lacks a ‘pump’ so light movements like massage can be essential to keep it from being stagnant,” says Leavell Bransford.
How to Give Yourself a Face Massage
Using your fingertips, massage the head, face and neck, where the majority of the lymph nodes are located. You always want movements to end right above clavicle since that’s where lymph nodes are to filter the lymph fluid.
Start at the center forehead and massage out toward the temple and down the neck.
Then, massage from inside the nose across the cheeks to in front of the ears and down the neck.
Next, go across the mouth and follow the jawline on both sides, then down the neck again.
After each movement, pump three times into the soft fleshy tissue at the top of the clavicle.
When is the best time to do an at-home lymphatic massage?
Morning or night, a lymphatic massage doesn’t discriminate! “But it’s especially good to do at night when the body is getting ready to eliminate toxins while you sleep,” Leavell Bransford notes. Make it a part of your daily beauty routine.
What about using a beauty tool?
You’ve got gadgets and gizmos aplenty? “There are definitely no shortages of beauty tools on the market today—and don’t get me wrong—I do LOVE a gadget, however, they are absolutely not necessary for lymphatic facial massage,” says Leavell Bransford, who adds that your fingertips and a light pressure work just fine. “If you decide to go the gadget route, go for facial cups. You can create light suction while you move the cups across the face and neck. This really works miracles for under eye circles and puffiness.”
Are there any products good to use for a lymphatic face massage?
Simply apply your daily morning or evening face oil or moisturizer and massage away. Leavell Bransford also likes grapeseed oil for its high level of antioxidants but she says that’s just a personal preference.
She notes that there are lots of ways to stimulate the lymph. In addition to light effleurage, massage cupping and facial gua sha, even jumping on a trampoline and regular exercise are good forms of lymphatic stimulation.
Are you using face oils the right way? Here’s an easy guide to face oils.