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 node, which is exactly where the massage technique can be beneficial, helping to get things moving again.
It’s slightly different from your regular Swedish back rub, though: “These techniques are very targeted, providing ongoing stimulation to the lymph vessels under the skin, encouraging them to work harder and find new pathways to drain away the lymph from the swollen area,” says Acharya. The result, she says, is a reduction of puffiness and swelling that can manifest as a more sculpted jawline, less obvious eye bags, lighter-feeling limbs, and an overall reduction of cellulite, depending on the area of the body you choose to hone in on. Ranging from handbag-friendly, palm-sized gua shas to full-body compression boots , lymphatic massage tools come in all shapes and sizes.
If you’re looking to reduce fine lines or de-puff the tell-tale signs of a hangover, there are cooling rollers, Ayurvedic stones, and geranium jade wands that can help to soothe swelling around your cheekbones, eyes and jawline. Microcurrent devices have emerged as a popular trend in recent months too; hand-held tools that use mild electrical currents to mimic the body's natural bioelectricity, which can give skin a lifted, firmer appearance. As with most beauty trends, prices can vary widely, from budget-friendly options around £20 to advanced wellness tech costing several hundred pounds.
We tested this list of tools over a period of four weeks, rating them on ease of use, value for money, comfort and convenience, and, of course, the overall aesthetic results. We evaluated how intuitive and user-friendly each tool was, considering factors such as setup, handling, and the clarity of the instructions provided. Whether you’re on the quest for a snatched jawline or you need to de-puff after a long-haul flight, we’ve got you covered in our pick of the best lymphatic drainage tools.
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