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The Best Lymphatic Beauty Tools And How To Use Them, According To Experts

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Depending on which side of TikTok you find yourself on, you've likely observed numerous individuals employing at-home lymphatic drainage massage techniques and tools (like gua shas and cupping) to help reduce puffiness, eliminate toxins, and enhance overall blood circulation. Indeed, facial Gua Shas have gained such popularity in recent years that they've become a staple in many people's skincare routines.

To explore more about the tools and techniques available, we consulted with Sarka Straka and Melissa Wright, experts from Endota Spa, who detailed the essentials of lymphatic drainage, methods you can try at home, and each tool you'll require along with usage instructions.

What is lymphatic drainage?

“Lymphatic drainage involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to move excess fluid buildup away from your tissues and toward functioning lymph vessels and lymph nodes to help eliminate toxins from your body,” explains Sarka. Incorporating regular lymphatic drainage techniques into your skin and body care routine can significantly enhance skin health.

What are the benefits of lymphatic drainage?

Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling in your body and facilitate your lymph nodes in eliminating toxins, Sarka explains. “It aids in improving blood circulation, supporting the lymphatic system, and facilitating the drainage of lymph and excess fluid.”

This is why TikTok enthusiasts are reaching for their Gua Shas first thing in the morning. Puffy face, be gone!

How should you prepare for a massage with lymphatic drainage components?

If you're planning to incorporate lymphatic drainage into your massage, there are a few preparatory steps for your professional session. “Wear comfortable, loose clothing,” advises Sarka. It's also recommended to avoid caffeine or alcohol before the massage and inform the therapist about any pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.

Discussing your expectations and concerns with the therapist before the massage begins is also beneficial, so you're aware of what's to come when they start using various lymphatic drainage tools.

After the massage, ensure you drink plenty of water to help cleanse your system.

Can you do lymphatic drainage treatments at-home?

“Absolutely, whether you choose to use the facial or the body Gua Sha tool, it is a simple ritual to perform, quite calming, and can be conveniently done in the comfort of your home,” states Sarka.

If you intend to try them at home, be mindful of any potential side effects or contraindications before proceeding. “Lymphatic treatment should be avoided for cancer patients (unless conducted by a certified oncology massage specialist), during pregnancy, and if a client has recently had Botox and fillers,” explains Sarka.

Moreover, if you have any skin injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or sunburn, it's best to skip the at-home treatment until they've healed.

Can you walk us through a basic facial Gua Sha routine?

“Using a facial oil, hold the Gua Sha tool nearly flat against the skin, begin at the center of your face, and stroke the skin outwards (ensuring to be gentle yet firm),” explains Sarka.

Next, massage from your nose towards your cheeks, then focus on your neck using downward movements. The jawline can also be targeted, sliding from the chin toward the ear.

Can you walk us through a basic body Gua Sha routine?

The body Gua Sha tool is larger than the facial one, but the movements are similar; the tool is also held almost flush to the skin.

Some simple ways to start experimenting with body Gua Shas is to sweep it over the neck, arms, back, and legs—just like in the video above.

“Using a body oil, slide the Gua Sha from the top of your neck to the edge of your shoulder (repeat three times).”

“On the arms, slide the Gua Sha upwards from your wrist, using gentle but firm pressure (repeat three times). On the legs, slide the Gua Sha up from your ankle to the top of your thigh, on both the front and back of your leg (repeat three times).”

“On the back, slide the Gua Sha downwards on each side of your back, repeating three times. You will need someone to assist you with the back if you wish to try it,” says Sarka.

When using your body (or face) Gua Sha at home, be cautious not to apply too much pressure with the tool, advises Melissa. “The tool is not intended for alleviating muscle tension.”

She also suggests using it at room temperature and applying light pressure over bony areas.

Additionally, it's important to be mindful of the throat when gliding along the neck, as well as any sensitivity that may occur when going over the temples.

Can you walk us through a basic facial cupping routine?

Begin by cleansing your skin and applying three to four drops of a face oil. Melissa recommends choosing the cup size based on the area you're targeting, before applying it to the skin to create gentle suction.

“Starting at the center of the face, glide the cup in an outward direction (or downwards, if you're cupping your neck area).”

You can see a demonstration in the video below.

If you plan to try facial cupping at home, Melissa advises against cupping over open sores, warts, or acne, and if you're prone to broken capillaries or are on blood-thinning medication, it's a definite no-go.

Additionally, for those with Botox, you'll need to wait at least two weeks after fresh injections or fillers before trying at-home facial cupping.

Melissa suggests starting with a few short five-minute sessions, no more than three times a week, while you get accustomed to it.

Can you walk us through a basic foot massage routine?

Ah, the foot massage. You either love it or dislike it. If you belong to the first group (like my boyfriend), you'll want to get yourself one of these handy tools. They add an extra touch to your at-home foot massage, making it feel almost professional.

To enhance the experience, Melissa recommends starting with a foot cleanse before applying three to four pumps of massage oil to your foot. Then, using the large ball end, press into the sole of the foot and release using a twisting motion. Repeat this five times.

Next, using the flat edge of the narrow tip, twist and stroke between the toes. Repeat five times. Repeat the sequence on the other foot without a foot massage tool.

To finish, Melissa advises wiping away the excess oil with a hot towel before rubbing a foot cream into the feet.

How can we use a cork trigger ball at home?

Trigger balls are excellent at-home tools for providing targeted relief from muscle pain and releasing tension that accumulates over time. The key to using them effectively is not applying excessive pressure to the area; instead, you want to work through and release the tension.

Melissa suggests using a wall or the floor for support and rolling the ball around to relax the muscles. “When using a wall, position the ball on or near the area you want to massage, and hold it in place with the help of the wall. Then, roll the ball in circular motions, up and down, or side to side by slowly moving your body.”

It's not too different from how you'd use a foam or cork roller at home. Melissa again advises that using the floor or wall to help you work through your tension points can be incredibly helpful.

Anything else we should know about trying these at-home techniques?

Always remember to use at-home devices safely and clean them according to the manufacturer's instructions. If anything starts to cause discomfort, stop using it immediately.

You can shop Endota’s at-home range below.