I Gave Myself A Lymphatic Drainage Massage Every Day For A Month—Here’s What Happened

Self-massage techniques have been around for centuries, but they are, surprisingly, practices that have many people divided. While some swear by the physical and mental well-being of these ancient self-care methods, others argue that they are a complete scam that's not worth the time of day. So, which is it?

After giving myself a lymphatic drainage massage every single day for a month, here are my thoughts.

What Is Lymphatic Drainage Massage and Why I Decided To Try It for a Month

A lymphatic drainage massage is a stimulation of the lymphatic system, which is a part of our immune system responsible for carrying waste away from our cells and bringing nutrients back to them.

Now, you may be wondering why we should do anything to encourage our immune system to work. After all, isn't it supposed to perform this function on its own? Well, yes, but not when we constantly expose our lymphatic system to things like poor diet, free radical accumulation from a polluted environment, chemicals from our cosmetic products that are hard to process, artificial hormones from medications such as birth control pills, stress, etc. All of these factors cause your lymphatic system to become sluggish or stagnant and reduce its ability to fight off infection, which can lead to visible issues on the skin, such as dullness, puffiness, inflammation, breakouts, premature signs of aging, etc.

This is why a lymphatic drainage massage can be useful, as the gentle movements help improve blood circulation in the face while removing toxins and cellular debris accumulated in the lymphatic fluid, resulting in healthier skin. Also, since massage encourages lymphatic circulation and stimulates our nervous system, it can lead to better sleep quality, reduced stress, and the relief of frequent headaches or migraines, which many of us struggle with on a daily basis.

Keeping all of these benefits in mind, I decided to try this massage technique for a month and note any changes I noticed along the way. And in this article, I will break down my preparation process and massage techniques, as well as the results I experienced from this daily routine.

My Preparation for Lymphatic Drainage Massage

The preparation for a lymphatic drainage massage is quite simple, which is another reason why accomplishing this experiment was easy and enjoyable. 

Before starting my massage, I thoroughly cleansed my face and neck using a gentle foaming cleanser and allowed my skin to dry on its own. Once fully dry, I applied non-comedogenic facial oil all over my face and neck and massaged it gently for even coverage. My personal choice was pure squalane oil, as this is a non-comedogenic oil and a component naturally found in our skin oil. However, you can choose any oil that works for your skin and doesn't cause you to break out. Those with normal to dry skin will likely be fine with any heavier oils, including olive, argan, or almond, while those with oily and acne-prone skin should be a bit more careful and opt for light oils like squalane, jojoba, or grapefruit oil.

How I Performed a Lymphatic Drainage Massage on Myself

Once my face and neck were evenly covered with oil, I started my massage. The first few days, I used my fingers, but once my gua sha tool was delivered, I started using this method, which I found to be much more efficient.

While using my fingers, I used circular motions with light pressure, starting from the sides of the neck and moving down to drain the lymphatic fluid. I then moved up to the jawline and cheeks, lightly pinching and massaging toward the parotid lymph node located just in front of the ear.

Finally, I would move on to the forehead, using gentle pressure and circular motions toward the temples to bring the lymph down to the parotid lymph node and drain down the neck. Once done, I would gently wipe off the excess oil and proceed with my skincare routine as usual.

However, after I started using my gua sha tool, I found that this was much easier and more effective. I applied the same movements because the goal is to drain the lymph into the lymph nodes while holding my gua sha tool flat against the skin and applying very gentle pressure to avoid squashing the lymph nodes, as they are close to the skin's surface and can become blocked if too much pressure is used, which is something we are trying to avoid.

My Results after Giving Myself a Lymphatic Drainage Massage for a Month

After a month of giving myself a lymphatic drainage massage every single day, I not only noticed that my cheeks looked slightly lifted, more sculpted, and less puffy, but I also found that my skin was less prone to acne breakouts and that it was starting to have a beautiful glow to it. It also helped improve some textural issues I've had in my lower cheek area, and flushed, rosy cheeks and a brighter overall complexion replaced the general dullness. My results show that lymphatic drainage massage isn't the bogus treatment many people believe it to be and actually provides these results by stimulating several important skin functions.

A lymphatic drainage massage will help lift your face temporarily by "teaching" the muscle to stay lifted and sculpted, as well as improve issues like dullness by boosting circulation to the area, reduce breakouts by draining lymph that contains cellular debris and floating bacteria, including numerous strains of the acne-causing bacteria which can be found in lymph, and minimize puffiness by helping move the fluid around and drain it into the lymph nodes.

However, while these effects are clearly visible after as little as a week of giving myself a lymphatic drainage massage, they aren't permanent, or long-lasting for that matter, and I found that repeated application of the massage is necessary to maintain the effects.

Changes I Noticed after Giving Myself a Lymphatic Drainage Massage during the Month

Besides decreased swelling, a lifted appearance, fewer breakouts, and a glowy complexion, giving myself a lymphatic drainage massage led to a few unexpected improvements in my overall health and well-being. Here are some of them:

Improved Sleep Quality

After I started giving myself a lymphatic drainage massage every night, I noticed that my sleep improved and that I could fall asleep much faster than before. This could be due to the circulation-boosting effects of the massage and its ability to relax the muscles and calm my mind by spending some quiet time of self-care right before bed.

Relieved Sinus Blockage

The massage also helped relieve my chronic sinus blockage, giving me difficulty breathing and the need to frequently blow my nose throughout the day.

Eased Tension

I also noticed that the tension headaches I get around my temples due to staring at a screen for at least 10 hours a day were becoming less frequent, and this could be due to the massage's ability to release the built-up tension in my facial muscles.

Overall, I found that giving myself a daily lymphatic drainage massage improved my facial appearance and overall health, which was unexpected but definitely a much appreciated bonus!

Tips for Fitting Self-Massages into Your Busy Lifestyle

If you're interested in trying out a lymphatic drainage massage but struggle with making time to implement this technique into your daily routine or remain dedicated, here are a few tips on how to fit this effective self-care method into your busy lifestyle:

1. Set aside five minutes a day to do a quick lymphatic drainage massage on yourself.

2. Start with the easiest areas, such as your cheeks and temples, and after doing it for some time, you will likely be willing to give yourself a full-face massage as you go along.

3. Don't look at the time, as this will make you feel like you are doing too much or can cause you to think of some last-minute chores, which can make it hard to relax and enjoy the few minutes of self-care.

4. Make it a habit, and try to do it at the same time every day for maximum efficiency. Just like you brush your teeth every night before bed, make it a point to give yourself a quick massage before you hit the hay.

5. Monitor physical and mental changes to help motivate you on days when you don't feel like doing the massage.

Once you start seeing the positive changes that come with a daily lymphatic drainage massage, sticking with it and making this self-care practice a part of your daily routine will be easier.

Is a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Worth It in the Long Run?

As I already mentioned, the effects of a daily lymphatic drainage massage are visible but aren't permanent, and repeated application is necessary to maintain the results. This is why many people consider lymphatic drainage massages a scam and refuse to do them because they don't provide permanent results.

And while the part about temporary results is definitely true, I still think that performing a lymphatic drainage massage on your face for five minutes a day is better, cheaper, and safer than getting procedures like Botox, fillers, and expensive laser treatments for, again, results that aren't permanent yet come with a high cost and many potential side effects.

Besides that, none of these treatments, except for Botox, which is used for migraines in some cases, can help with other health benefits like relieving stress and sinus blockage the way a lymphatic drainage massage can do it free of charge and with very little time investment.

So, if you're looking for a safe and free way to improve your facial appearance while also enjoying numerous health benefits, then I definitely think giving yourself a lymphatic drainage massage on a daily basis is worth it in the long run.

Closing Thoughts

A lymphatic drainage massage is an incredibly effective and safe way to improve the appearance of your face while also enjoying some unexpected health benefits. By performing a quick five-minute massage on yourself every day, you can maintain the results and gradually reduce tension headaches and sinus blockage, and get those chiseled features you've been told can only be attained through a series of expensive treatments.

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