Counting A-listers including Selena Gomez, Jennifer Aniston and Hailey Bieber as fans, lymphatic drainage is the buzzy wellness trend that everyone is talking about right now. For decades, this hands-on massage technique has been used to treat conditions like lymphedema and post-surgical swelling, but in recent years, beauty lovers have flocked to the method, calling it a secret weapon for de-puffing, relaxing, and de-stressing. Thankfully, you don't need to spend thousands at a private medical spa to reap the benefits.
With a host of new tools and gadgets arriving on the beauty market this year, it’s never been easier to tap into the trend at home. As the name suggests, lymphatic drainage involves ‘draining’ a build-up of excess fluid from your body’s lymph nodes, using a gentle, rhythmic massage technique . The idea is that kneading the bean-shaped nodes helps to flush out excess liquids and toxins from the face and body, combating swelling and water retention in the process.
“There are hundreds of lymph nodes running throughout the body’s lymphatic system, primarily located in the neck, armpits, and groin,” says Cosmetic Doctor Dr Paris Acharya who is the founder of The Ardour Clinic . “As a clear liquid called lymph passes through each node, it filters out toxins and adds immune cells called lymphocytes, which help to fight against bacteria and viruses.” According to experts, lymph can sometimes flow inefficiently while it’s travelling from node to nod.