The At-Home Lymphatic Drainage Face Massage That Will Sculpt Your Jawline and De-Puff Those Tired Eyes
- jennysmithmattfeldt
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
The simple face massage I teach all my lymphatic clients for lifted cheekbones, a sculpted jawline, and de-puffed eyes (that you can do it at home in minutes.)
By Jenny Smith Mattfeldt | Published July 31, 2025
Article does contain affiliate links for my most used tools.
SKIP TO THE GOOD STUFF
When to do it // Tools // Do's & Don't // FAQs // Try it Tonight
You wake up with puffy eyes. You indulged a little over the weekend. You hit the salt hard last night. Or maybe you’ve got an event tomorrow and you just want to feel snatched. These are the moments you can use lymphatic drainage massage to really make a difference.
What Is Lymphatic Drainage, Really?
Like so many wellness trends that blow up on TikTok (castor oil packs, gua sha, oil pulling) lymphatic drainage popped off everywhere because it works. But when trends go viral, they can also get misunderstood and watered down.
So here’s the actual deal: your lymphatic system is part of your circulatory system, working alongside your blood vessels. But unlike your blood system, which has a pump (your heart), your lymph system has no pump. It relies on muscle movement, breath, and gravity to function, and can sometimes can get a little sluggish without help.
An RN friend once described lymph nodes to me as TSA checkpoints. All of your lymphatic fluid gets screened and anything that shouldn’t be in your system (think bacteria, viruses, toxins, abnormal cells) gets kicked out. That’s why you feel swollen under your jaw when you're sick or tender in your armpits when you're inflamed.
A sluggish lymph system can show up as puffiness, bloating, dull skin, or just that blah feeling you can’t quite name.
Benefits You’ll Actually Feel
You can see and feel the effects immediately, but it gets better the more consistent you are. Some of the benefits you might notice are:
De-puffed face and eyes
Reduced bloating
Improved skin glow and tone
Less swelling in feet, ankles, and legs
Boosted immunity
Overall sculpted, healthy, lighter feeling
How to Do It at Home
Let’s walk through it step-by-step. This is the exact way I approach the face, both for myself and my clients.
The lymphatic system is a one-way road, not a two-way street. Think of it like backed-up traffic. You can’t just start pushing cars from the back, you need to clear space ahead first. That’s why we always start by clearing the major drainage points, so the rest of the fluid has somewhere to go.
Where does the lymph fluid drain to?
Just above your right collarbone (the final exit point into your bloodstream)
Center of your upper belly, just below your ribs (this is where lymph from the left side of the body and the lower body collects before moving up)
Step 1: Clear the checkpoints
Using a soft pulsing motion with your palm or fingertips, gently pump these areas:
Below the ribs (center of your belly)
Armpits
Just above the collarbones
Under the jawline
Along the jaw muscle
In front of and behind the ears
Along the sides of the nose
Inner eye
Take deep breaths as you do this step the motion will help even more. This step is like “opening the gates” so everything can start flowing.
Step 2: Move the fluid
There are two main movements:
Sweeping/gliding strokes: Be intentional and always direct your movements toward the drainage point.
Pulsing/pumping: Stationary pressure and release, like you’re nudging the fluid along.
You can use your hands or tools like a gua sha or roller, whatever feels good.
Tools aren't necessary, your hands will get the job done, but they're such a fun investment if you find yourself loving this type of massage. With my clients (and at home for myself) I use wood tools, gua sha, and facial cups.
Best Times to Do It:
In the morning to reduce puffiness or at night set yourself up for success tomorrow
After travel or a long flight
After alcohol, salt, or PMS bloating
As a reset ritual at the start of the week
Literally any time you want to feel lighter, leaner, and less inflamed
My Quick Dos & Don’ts
Do's:
Use oil or cream for slip
Keep your touch firm but gentle
Drink lots of water before and after (dehydration = sluggish lymphatic system)
Focus on consistency more than intensity
Don't:
Press or pull too hard on your skin
Skip straight to massaging without clearing your drains first
Expect weight loss, it’s sculpting, not shrinking
FAQs I Get as a Massage Therapist
Can I do this every day? Yes, especially if you’re being careful not to pull too hard on your skin. Your body will love the consistency.
Will it help with weight loss? Nope, but it can help with inflammation, puffiness, and water retention, which makes your body feel and look leaner.
Are there any weird side effects? Sometimes! You might notice unusual urine after, you’re literally flushing out waste your body was holding onto.
What if I have acne? You’re good to go. Lymphatic drainage can even help reduce inflammation and bring fresh blood to the skin. Just always wash your hands first, and avoid painful breakout areas.
Can I do it on my legs? Absolutely, lymphatic drainage for swollen feet and ankles is one of the most common treatments I do. Same rules apply: start by clearing the nodes (groin area, back of the knee), then work from the top down, always directing it upward toward the groin.
Try It Tonight
Your body’s natural detox system is already working sometimes it just needs a little encouragement. Try this routine tonight and see how you feel! And if you loved this, don’t miss the next article in the series: 15 Lazy Girl Habits That Support Your Lymphatic Drainage (Without Even Trying.)
Sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss it. And leave me a comment if you'd like me to do the abdomen or lower body next!
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