I Tried a Lymphatic Drainage Facial for Smoother, Brighter Skin...Here's My Honest Review (2025)

As a beauty editor, I'm constantly preaching that facials aren't a quick skincare fix. So when I tried a lymphatic drainage facial for the first time, I went into the experience expecting to feel relaxed and look maybe a tad more glowy when it was all done, but nothing beyond that. To my delight, I was so wrong lol. Yes, I was relaxed and more glowy, but I was also visibly less puffy too... and it only took one 60-minute session. 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.

To be clear, even though lymphatic drainage facials are having a moment, they're not a new concept. As I looked into them further, I realized I'd heard of something similar called gua sha, a traditional Chinese technique that uses massage to improve circulation. But what I didn't know was how effective this type of facial could be. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about lymphatic drainage facials, plus the best way to DIY one at home.

Everyone—regardless of skin type—can benefit from a lymphatic drainage facial, but if your face is looking puffy and swollen (that's likely because of lymphatic buildup) there's a good chance you probably need one ASAP. 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.

Lymphatic drainage facials aid in lymphatic drainage, which is when swelling or puffiness within the lymphatic channels around your eyes, cheeks, and jaw is relieved via specific facial massage movements. 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.

In my experience, the most visible benefit of lymphatic drainage facials is less puffiness and swelling 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.

As someone who has had lymphatic drainage facials from both Bisetti and the team at Sage + Sound, I can attest that a lymphatic drainage facial is one of the easiest (and most relaxing) ways to make your skin look fresh and glowy. After a treatment, you walk out looking like you just slept eight hours and chugged a green juice.

As for the sculpting aspect, 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. By removing that excess fluid just below the skin and also releasing muscle tension and manipulating facial tissue, facial definition is seriously amplified.

Rios-O'Leary takes things a step further and incorporates buccal massage into her lymphatic drainage treatments. "This type of massage targets the inner muscles of the cheek and jaw through the inside of the mouth and is particularly effective for reducing muscle tightness and improves jaw mobility and flexibility," says Rios-O'Leary. I tried it during lymphatic facial treatment at Sage + Sound and the way my jaw felt like jello but looked as sharp as hell was legit unreal.

Results are immediate and can continue to last up to 10 days, depending on your metabolism and lifestyle," says Rios-O'Leary. "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," she adds. Bisetti says that you can also prolong the results of a professional lymphatic drainage facial by doing your own lymphatic drainage facial at home, which brings us to...

You can do your own lymphatic drainage facial every day using your hands or a gua sha tool, says Bisetti. Ideally, you'd get a professional lymphatic drainage facial on a monthly basis with your aesthetician and then do 5 to 10 minutes of DIY lymphatic drainage every day to release toxins and improve blood circulation. Bissetti suggests incorporating these easy lymphatic drainage facial massage movements at home:

• For addressing facial puffiness: Start by creating scissors with your fingers, then hold them up to your ears with fingers on both sides. Gently press (or pump) in front and behind your earlobes to open up the lymph node. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Next, with feather-like movement, sweep your fingers from the bottom part of your nose towards your ear and down the side of your neck. Repeat 5-10 times.
• For addressing under-eye puffiness: With your index finger, do a gentle pumping motion under your eye, starting at your nose, working towards your ear, and then down the sides of your neck.

• 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.

Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best exfoliators for sensitive skin to the best body serums. She regularly tests and analyzes new skincare products and treatments, while working with the industry’s top experts to assess what's new and next in the skincare space.