How to Perform Lymphatic Drainage Massage At Home

If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve definitely seen some pretty impressive before and after pictures depicting the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage. The treatment—which involves gentle movements along the lymphatic channels—is known for helping flush fluid and toxins from the system, boosting circulation, improving the immune system, and even speeding metabolism. It can also help reduce bloating and create the appearance of a leaner physique.

What is lymphatic drainage massage?

Professionals say there are two types of lymphatic drainage: manual and Brazilian. The former comes from the medical world and is often used for post-operative care or to treat lymphedema. Brazilian lymphatic drainage, on the other hand, is more focused on aesthetics; this form of treatment is centered around the rapid reduction of water retention for body shaping.

Tina Spranz, a Hamburg-based massage therapist, offers both types of lymphatic drainage at her Aesthetics Care practice. According to her, lymphatic drainage is an effective complementary measure for health and can be performed at home in a similar way to how it is done in her practice: “It is important to activate the large accumulations of lymph nodes, preferably with a kind of pumping grip,” she says. With this grip, the lymph channels can be gently and correctly stroked out of the lymph nodes in their natural course. “This sequence can be used all over the body and face,” she says, noting that all pathways should be stroked several times using body oils so as not to pull or stretch the skin.

Why does the lymph need to be stimulated?

In addition to blood, another fluid flows through the body: lymph. This lymph fluid is cleansed and filtered in the 600 or so lymph nodes throughout our system, protecting the body from bacterias, viruses, and waste; lymph is super vital for our general health. If the lymphatic system does not function properly, fluid builds up in the body, usually in the legs and arms.

But unlike blood, lymph doesn’t have a built-in pulse to move on its own—in order to function properly, the lymph is dependent on movement, either through gentle manipulation during lymphatic drainage or exercise.

Does dry brushing work for lymphatic drainage?

There is currently a growing trend on TikTok that sings the praises of performing lymphatic drainage using a dry brush and castor oil. Does it really work? Spranz says she achieves the best results with her hands, but additional tools—such as the dry brush—are particularly helpful for activating the lymphatic system at home: “The use of dry brushes can have a positive effect on the lymphatic system, provided there are no secondary illnesses,” explains the expert. “First and foremost, brushing creates increased blood circulation, which can also stimulate the lymphatic system. Dry brushing can be a good complement to manual or Brazilian lymphatic drainage.” Dry brushing also has an exfoliating effect and stimulates blood circulation, making it a true multi-use tool.

Using the brush in combination with castor oil, however, has no real effect on lymphatic activity: “It’s mainly the manual application of the oil that has the biggest effect,” Spranz says, referring to the pressure on the skin that occurs when the oil is applied. “In my practice we make sure that oils are non-comedogenic. This means that they do not negatively affect the pores.”

Oils may have other benefits, including an anti-inflammatory effect that supports cell renewal and leaves the skin feeling soft.

How often should lymphatic drainage be done?

In order to maintain all the promised benefits of lymphatic drainage for as long as possible and to maximize the effect, you can combine professional treatments by trained hands with frequent self-administered massage. “It is important to create a regularity of applications, both in professional lymphatic drainage and with supplementary measures at home,” Spranz says.

To that end, the expert recommends that her clients start with several treatments, around one to two per week, to get started. “The density of the treatments can be adjusted as you progress,” she says, noting that you should be sure to drink plenty of fluids, exercise, and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle between treatments. She says dry brushing or alternating hot-cold baths to stimulate blood and lymph circulation can be used daily if you are healthy.

Lymphatic massage for the face

But what about the face? We’ve all seen impressive lymphatic face massages on TikTok, too. “Many of my patients work with Gua Sha tools on the face, but strokes with the hands work just as well—I personally prefer this method,” Spranz explains. “A daily application of ten minutes has a significant impact and improves the lymphatic system, and the face in particular can be treated very well at home.”

In general, it sounds that all kinds of lymphatic drainage massage can—and should—be done at home. Spranz puts it this way: “Activating the lymphatic system at home can have a very positive effect on the lymphatic system, especially when done in addition to manual treatments in a practice with specialist staff.” Nevertheless, she also notes that home treatment is not enough in some cases. “Areas of the body such as the legs are subject to more strain from the ground up due to gravity. In the case of persistently heavy or painful legs, it is therefore essential to have an additional treatment by a therapist,” she says.

According to the expert, timing matters too. The face should be treated in the morning “because the face tends to be more swollen in the morning due to lying down” while the legs are better massaged in the evening after gravity and the effect of standing all day has taken its toll. “However, lymphatic drainage can also be done in the middle of the day, which still has a good effect on the lymphatic system,” Spranz says.

Plus, factors such as getting regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and avoiding processed foods also have a stimulating effect on the lymphatic system. So make sure to take it all into account—and feel free to dry brush daily.