There’s a new trend in wellness, and you might’ve seen it on Instagram. If you’ve seen people scraping, de-puffing, or exercising their face, then you are at least somewhat familiar with the concept of lymphatic drainage. As more and more skincare brands and companies start to talk about the benefits of using jade tools or getting certain specifically designed facials, it’s important to first understand the why behind all of these practices. Let’s start by breaking down exactly what lymphatic drainage and facial massages are, and how to DIY.

What is Lymphatic Massage ?

A lymphatic massage is a form of manual manipulation of the lymphatic system, which controls the movement of fluids within your body’s tissue. The lymphatic system is highly connected to your immune system and overall health and well-being because it is responsible for eliminating toxins from your system. Luckily for all the beauty and skincare obsessed among us, one of the easiest and most popular ways to support lymphatic drainage is through the face.

Though facials had been around long before this trend gained popularity, facial massage techniques specifically catered to lymphatic drainage are all the rage in 2019. And for good reason — the lymph nodes in your face (especially under your chin and behind your ears) allow you to access the lymphatic system. Through facial massage and other techniques, you can promote the removal of toxins from your body.

Jade Rollers, Gua Sha tools, Facials - oh my!

Now you might be wondering how you could possibly go about accessing those benefits without a costly facial. The answer is through massage tools like Jade Rollers and Gua Sha tools, both of which allow the user to give themselves a lymphatic massage from the comfort of their own home. Simply use these harder crystal surfaces to lightly push your skin (and the tissue underneath) in a particular direction to flush your face and lymphatic system and release toxins.

If you’re looking for a deeper, more intense lymphatic flush, skip the salon and give Facial Acupuncture a try. After the needles, which increase your body’s elastic and collagen production, you’ll also receive facial cupping and Gua Sha facial massage to release any remaining toxins, leaving a glowy look on the skin. 

Whether you’re interested in a daily dose of facial massage, or a professional treatment, lymphatic drainage massages are the skincare trend you need to know about — and incorporate into your skincare and health regimen.