Why Lymphatic Drainage Matters

Your lymphatic system is your body’s natural detox system, filtering waste, toxins and excess fluid through lymph nodes. Unlike your circulatory system (which has the heart to pump blood), the lymphatic system relies on movement, muscle contractions and manual stimulation to keep it flowing. It needs a little help from its best friend. That friend is YOU!

When lymph fluid becomes stagnant, it can lead to:
✅ swelling, puffiness and fluid retention
✅ increased toxin buildup
✅ weakened immune function
✅ slow healing and recovery

Moving your lymphatic fluid more freely throughout your body allows more waste products, toxins, bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, dead cells and debris to be filtered by your lymph nodes.

Simply put:

better lymphatic flow → more efficient filtration by lymph nodes → reduced buildup of harmful substances

For those recovering from cancer or surgery and those living with chronic illness or obesity (no judgment here – that’s 40% of adults in the US), proper lymphatic drainage can help reduce swelling, support detoxification and promote healing.

Natural Botox for the Face?? Benefits of Facial Lymphatic Drainage:

✔️ Reduces Puffiness & Swelling – Helps drain excess fluid, especially around the eyes and jawline.
✔️ Tighter, Firmer Skin – Stimulates circulation, which can improve skin elasticity and give a lifted appearance.
✔️ Improves Complexion & Glow – Enhances blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients for radiant skin.
✔️ Reduces Fine Lines & Wrinkles – Gentle massage helps release tension in facial muscles, which can contribute to fewer expression lines over time. Ahem, that means less wrinkles!
✔️ Clears Congestion – Helps drain sinus buildup, reducing pressure and puffiness in the face.
✔️ Enhances Product Absorption – Prepares the skin to absorb skincare products more effectively. I’ve linked my favorite (clean) skin care below!

How to Perform Facial Lymphatic Drainage Correctly

(Bottom to Top, Then Final Drainage)

1️⃣ ALWAYS Start at the Clavicle (Collarbones) – Open the Drainage Pathway

✔️ 10 Pumps – Gently press and release on both sides of the collarbone. You’re not trying to perform CPR up there, friends. Gentleness is the key!

2️⃣ Move to the Neck (Before the Face)

✔️ 5-10 Downward Strokes – From behind the ears, gently sweep downward to the collarbones. It’s easiest to make a V with your fingers – place your index finger on the front side of your ear and your middle finger behind. Soft and smooth—think relaxing, not rushing.
✔️ 5-10 Downward Strokes – From the front sides of your neck, glide gently downward toward the collarbones again. At this point, you might start to notice a little more drainage in your throat. This is a good thing! You’re not just moving lymph fluid, by doing this. It’s also great to move that unwanted sinus fluid from your ears.

3️⃣ Start at the Bottom of the Face & Work Up

📌 After working on each section, sweep out towards ears, down the sides of the face & neck 5-10 times before moving to the next area. Imagine gently pushing that fluid out of the area you’re working on and down to the collarbone. When I’m doing my movements to the collarbone, I’m generally using my middle three fingers.

• Chin & Jawline
  ✔️ 5-10 Pumps at the center of the chin. This can simply be done by placing your chin between the pad of your thumb and middle knuckle of your index finger. Just remember you’re “pumping,” not squeezing.
  ✔️ 5-10 Pumps outward along the jawline toward the ears. This is easily done between the bad of your thumb and side of your index finger, the same as when you did the pumps for your chin.
  ✔️ 5-10 Sweeps outward along the jawline toward the ears. You can do this with the same finger placement as with the pumps.
  ✔️ 5-10 Strokes down the neck to the collarbone.

• Corners of the Mouth
  ✔️ 5-10 Pumps at the corners of the mouth. I usually do this with the sides of my pinky fingers.
  ✔️ 5-10 Sweeps outward toward the ears, usually done with the thumb side of my index finger.
  ✔️ 5-10 Strokes down the neck to the collarbone.

• Nose & Cheeks
  ✔️ 5-10 Pumps at the sides of the nose. I use the sides of my pinkies for this, as well.
  ✔️ 5-10 Sweeps outward across the cheeks toward the ears. I will generally use my ring fingers for this, dragging up under my cheek bones.
  ✔️ 5-10 Strokes down the neck to the collarbone.

• Under-Eyes
  ✔️ 5-10 Pumps at the inner corners of the eyes. The ring finger is the best one to use with the eyes, because it has the least muscles.
  ✔️ 5-10 Sweeps outward under the eyes toward the temples. I follow the orbital bones here.
  ✔️ 5-10 Strokes down the neck to the collarbone.

• Between Eyebrows
  ✔️ 5-10 Pumps between the eyebrows.
  ✔️ 5-10 Sweeps upward toward the forehead, over eyebrows.
  ✔️ 5-10 Strokes down the face and neck to the collarbone.

• Forehead & Temples
  ✔️ 5-10 Sweeps outward from the center of the forehead to the temples.
  ✔️ 5-10 Strokes down the neck to the collarbone.

✅ Final Step: Always Finish by Sweeping Everything Down the Neck to the Collarbone

✔️ 10-15 Strokes down the sides of the face and neck to fully drain the lymph.

Benefits of Full-Body Lymphatic Drainage

✔️ Supports Detoxification – Helps remove waste and toxins from the body.
✔️ Boosts Immune System – Encourages lymph flow, which is essential for immune function.
✔️ Reduces Fluid Retention – Helps minimize bloating and water retention in the limbs and abdomen.
✔️ Promotes Circulation & Energy Levels – Keeps blood and oxygen flowing for better overall health.
✔️ Can Help with Post-Surgery or Cancer Recovery – Supports healing by reducing swelling and improving lymphatic function.

Full-Body Lymphatic Drainage

The first two steps and their methods are exactly the same as in the facial drainage.

1️⃣ ALWAYS Start at the Clavicle (Collarbones) – Open the Drainage Pathway

2️⃣ Move to the Neck

3️⃣ Clear the Armpits (Axillary Nodes)

✔️ 10-15 Gentle Circular Pumps – Place your hand gently into your armpit and softly pump in small circles. Imagine softly pressing water out of a sponge—be gentle!

4️⃣ Time for the Abdomen!

Anyone else holding fluid here?!

✔️ 10-15 Clockwise, Circular Strokes – Gently circle your hands around your belly button in a clockwise direction. We’re gently waking up those digestion-supporting lymph nodes.

5️⃣ Work the Groin Area

All jokes aside, this area is the primary draining ground/first filter for the lower half of the body’s lymphatic fluid.

✔️ 10-15 Gentle Pumps – Softly pump upward and inward at the crease of your hips (groin area, where your legs meet your pelvis). The key is gentle—no force needed!

6️⃣ Finish with Legs & Feet

✔️ 10-15 Gentle Pumps – Softly pump the backs of your knees and then around your ankles.

✔️ 10-15 Upward Strokes – Gently stroke from your feet toward your knees, helping fluid move upward toward the lymph nodes.

✔️ 10-15 Upward Strokes – Move from your knees toward your upper thighs, always moving fluid gently upward toward the groin nodes.

🌿 Why This Order & Stroke Count Works

✔️ Collarbone pumping starts the drainage process—no unnecessary sweeping there.
✔️ Face: Bottom-up ↑ opening and drainage and final top-down ↓ sweeping from the face ensures no fluid gets trapped in blocked areas.
✔️ Draining upper body (arms/chest/face/neck) sweep ↑↓ toward collarbones ensures no blockage there.
✔️ Draining abdomen ↻ gentle circular strokes toward ↓ groin and upwards ↑ toward the chest (depending on if you’re below or above the belly button).
✔️ Body (legs & feet): Top-down ↓ opening and drainage and final bottom-up sweep ↑ upward toward groin.
✔️ Outward sweeps direct lymph fluid toward natural drainage points.
✔️ Final sweeping ensures proper elimination of excess lymph fluid.

🌟 Remember:

• For best results, incorporating both facial and body lymphatic drainage into your routine ensures that your entire system is functioning optimally, leading to better health, clearer skin and overall well-being.
• Gentle is always best! Lymph fluid is near the skin surface; no deep pressure needed.
• Always move fluid toward lymph major node areas (collarbone and groin).
• Drink water afterward—flush out those toxins!