Looking to De-puff Quickly? Book a Lymphatic Drainage Facial

How do I know if I need a lymphatic drainage facial?

As a beauty editor, I have tried almost every type of facial known to man. (Talk about a serious work perk.) I’ve done resurfacing laser facials that require several days of downtime before experiencing results, Hydrafacials that instantly flood my skin with hydration, and my favorite: Lymphatic drainage facials.

Few facials give me an immediate de-puffing and sculpting effect quite like a lymphatic drainage facial. All it takes is 60 minutes, and I’m magically less puffy and look like I got a full night’s sleep. Given this level of instant gratification and our collective obsession with looking “snatched,” it's no wonder lymphatic drainage facials are blowing up on social media.

This no-downtime facial could be exactly what you need before your next big event. But before booking an appointment, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about lymphatic drainage facials, plus the best way to DIY one at home.

Everyone can benefit from a lymphatic drainage facial, regardless of skin type. But if your face is looking puffy and swollen—which is likely because of lymphatic fluid buildup—this type of facial can make a major difference.

Before booking a lymphatic drainage facial, celebrity facialist Vee Mistry suggests taking a close look at your face: Does your lower jaw look more rounded than usual? Are your under-eyes swollen? (This area, in particular, is known for holding fluids.) Do your cheeks look and feel puffy? If so, it’s time for a lymphatic drainage facial.

Mistry also says lymph fluid buildup can make your face feel quite achy. A treatment won’t just lift, sculpt, and de-puff, it will also release the stagnant fluid and remedy the pain.

What does a lymphatic drainage facial do?

“Lymphatic drainage facials help drain lymphatic fluid, which is trapped between skin and fascia (fibrous connective tissue),” explains Mistry. When the fluid is stagnant, it creates swelling or puffiness within the lymphatic channels around your eyes, cheeks, and jaw. Specific facial massage movements get the fluid moving and flushed out of your body.

Most often, this stagnant lymph fluid won’t drain on its own. Board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD, says that like the circulatory system, the lymph system is a series of channels in the body that connect the lymph nodes (tiny bean-like structures in the body that are part of your immune system). “Unlike the circulatory system, lymphatic channels do not have valves or muscle in the vessel walls, so fluid can go to areas of most gravity, resulting in swelling,” Dr. Patel says.

During a lymphatic drainage facial, your therapist or aesthetician will use light pressure and rhythmic strokes to flush out stagnant fluid or congestion within your lymph channels. The exact technique may differ from therapist to therapist, but the idea is to move fluid just below the skin in the direction of the lymph nodes to support its removal. As a result, “your face looks incredibly sculpted, lifted, and chiseled, too,” adds Mistry.

Mary HonkusMistry uses her Gua Sha Cryosticks during her lymphatic drainage facials.

What are the benefits of lymphatic drainage facials?

In my experience, the most visible benefits of lymphatic drainage facials are less puffiness and swelling, as well as less noticeable dark circles, but experts say there's more to them than just that.

"These facials can help minimize fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture," says Micaela Rios-O'Leary, a lymphatic therapist at Sage + Sound in NYC. Rios-O'Leary also notes that her clients say that their faces look more sculpted, lifted, and defined after a treatment. "Lymphatic drainage massages can even reduce dark circles by relieving trapped lymphatic fluid and promoting blood flow and circulation," explains licensed aesthetician Josie Bisetti. "Increased blood flow can help revive dull, tired-looking skin too," she adds.

I’ve continuously returned to Mistry when I need a customized lymphatic drainage facial. During the treatment, she combines lymphatic drainage massage with deep sculpting and buccal massage to remove excess fluid and release muscle tension. After a treatment, I walk out looking like I just slept eight hours and chugged a green juice. (Seriously, look at my before and afters below.)

Keep in mind that if you're purely doing a lymphatic drainage facial, the depuffing benefit will temporarily give you the look of more sculpted and lifted skin. But if you really want to notice a difference in your cheekbones and jawline, book an appointment with a pro who can combine lymphatic drainage massage and a deeper sculpting massage into the same facial treatment. The combination seriously amplifies the results.

Mary HonkusThe before and after results of my SKINBYVEE lymphatic drainage facial

How long do the results of a lymphatic drainage facial last?

Results are immediate, and, depending on your practitioner, metabolism, and lifestyle, can last between 10 days to three weeks. To prolong the benefits of a lymphatic drainage facial, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by staying hydrated, exercising regularly, practicing deep breathing, and avoiding excessive salt intake, says Rios-O’Leary.

You can also extend the results of your professional lymphatic drainage facial at home by incorporating lymphatic massage techniques into your daily skincare routine, which brings us to...

How do you drain lymphatic fluid from your face?

You can do your own lymphatic drainage facial every day using your hands or a gua sha tool. First, you’ll want to open the facial nodes in front and behind your ears, the corners of your jaw, and at your clavicle with five to six pumping or pressing motions. From there, Mistry says you’ll take your tool—or hands—and create slow swiping motions from the center of your face, outward.

“You’re moving fluid from the midline, where everything feels quite heavy and puffy, and draining it all the way to the gutter, which are the nodules located on the outer perimeter of our face,” Mistry explains. Go over each section of your face five times before moving to the next for the best results.

Meet the experts:

• Vee Mistry is the founder of SKINBYVEE. She is known for her lifting and sculpting facials, and has worked with celebrities including Lenny Kravitz and Hudson Williams.
• Purvisha Patel, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs and cosmetic surgeon, and the owner of Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Associates. Dr. Patel is also the founder of Visha Skincare.
• Micaela Rios-O'Leary is the lead lymphatic therapist and trainer at Sage + Sound, a wellness destination in New York, NY.
• Josie Bisetti​ is the owner of Skin Peace by Josie B in New York, NY. She specializes in bespoke facial treatments and is an expert in lymphatic drainage face and body massage.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories. She’s an authority in all beauty categories and will try just about any treatment. For this story, she tried a lymphatic drainage facial and consulted with experts to learn about the benefits.

Mary HonkusMary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.