Lymph, a quiet network
Besides your blood vessels, your body has a lymphatic network. It collects some of the fluid found between your cells and carries it back to the bloodstream, passing through lymph nodes on the way. This network has no pump like the heart: lymph moves thanks to your body’s movements, your breathing and the contraction of your muscles.
Why the face gets puffy
After a night lying flat, fluid tends to settle in the tissues of the face, especially around the eyes. A salty meal, alcohol, lack of sleep, heat, allergies or your hormonal cycle can make this temporary puffiness more noticeable.
What drainage movements do
Manual lymphatic drainage is a very gentle massage technique. The movements are slow and rhythmic, and follow the direction of lymphatic flow, towards the lymph nodes of the neck and the hollow above the collarbones. On the face, they can help reduce puffiness and often leave a fresh feeling. The effect is mostly short-lived: it is a comfort ritual, to be repeated regularly.
Principles to follow
- Start with the neck. First open up the area above the collarbones, then the sides of the neck, before working on the face.
- The pressure of a caress. You move the skin, you don’t press into the muscles. If the skin turns red, you’re pressing too hard.
- Outwards, then downwards. From the centre of the face towards the ears, then along the neck down to the collarbones.
- Slowly. About one movement every two seconds.
- Breathe deeply. Belly breathing supports the flow of lymph.
Habits that help
- Get enough sleep, with your head slightly raised if your eyelids are often puffy when you wake up.
- Move during the day: walking is an excellent natural pump.
- Limit salt and alcohol in the evening.
- Apply cold for a few moments, with spoons or a stone chilled in the fridge.
The limits
Swelling that doesn’t go away during the day, that affects only one side, or that comes with pain, redness, fever or itching should be shown to a doctor. Therapeutic lymphatic drainage, performed by trained physiotherapists, meets different needs from the wellness movements offered here. If you have an infection, a heart, kidney or thyroid problem, or cancer under treatment, ask your doctor for advice before practising.
