Does the Viral Lymphatic Face Brush Actually Do Anything? I Tried It—and Consulted the Experts
If your FYP has been taken over by women brushing their faces like mine has, chances are you’ve been at least a little curious about trying this viral beauty product yourself. I mean, how could you not after seeing those results? Most videos end the same way: One side of the face looks sculpted and lifted—while the other, well, doesn’t. After what felt like hundreds of lymphatic face brush videos, I decided I had to see if it actually lived up to the hype. And honestly, my results were surprising.
In the process, I spoke with the founder of The Lymphatic Brush (the only patented brush of its kind), as well as a lymphatic drainage specialist, to better understand the practice, from its benefits and how to do it at home. Ahead, learn everything you need to know about the viral lymphatic face brush, including whether it deserves a spot in your routine (and if it might just replace your gua sha).
Carrie Riley, Clinical Lymphatic Specialist
Carrie Riley is a licensed massage therapist and clinical lymphatic specialist with a background in kinesiology and clinical mental health. She is the founder of node & needle, a specialty practice focused on lymphatic health, post-surgical recovery, and post-mastectomy care. Her work integrates lymphatic therapy with nervous system support to help clients reduce swelling, support healing, and feel more at ease in their bodies.
Cecily Braden, Founder of The Lymphatic Brush®
Cecily Braden is a pioneer in modern lymphatic therapy, a globally recognized educator, and the visionary behind The Lymphatic Brush®—a patented innovation that has redefined the art of face and body care. Through CJB Spa & Wellness and her educational platform, Cecily continues to shape the future of beauty and wellness.
What is Lymphatic Drainage?
“Lymphatic drainage is a gentle, rhythmic unidirectional manual manipulation of the superficial lymphatic vessels that reside under the surface of the skin,” says Cecily Braden, founder and creator of The Lymphatic Brush and licensed esthetician.
In simpler terms, lymphatic drainage helps the body clear out waste and excess fluid. So, when you see the amazing before-and-afters online, what you’re really seeing is built up fluid being moved through the lymphatic system to be processed and eliminated. The result? A more sculpted, refreshed appearance—at least temporarily.
“When [lymphatic facial brushing is] done correctly, it can help reduce that puffy, swollen feeling in the face, especially in the morning or after things like travel, a very salty dinner, or hormonal shifts,” says Carrie Riley, LMT, Clinical Lymphatic Specialist and Founder of node & needle. “It’s not changing your facial structure or permanently sculpting anything, but it can help you look more refreshed and less congested.”
What Are The Benefits of Using a Lymphatic Drainage Brush?
“The lymphatic system interacts with nearly every tissue in the body, including the central nervous system via the brain’s specialized waste-clearing network known as the glymphatic system, so optimizing its function is a sustainable way to care for the skin and support overall health,” says Braden.
According to Braden, regular lymphatic facial brushing using her patented brush can help “clear acne and breakouts, reduce puffiness, brighten dark circles, fade hyperpigmentation, relieve sinus congestion, minimize sagging, reduce redness, relieve tension (TMJ) and stiffness, ease headaches, calm anxiety, and soften fine lines and deep wrinkles.”
Beyond skin-deep benefits, she adds that supporting the lymphatic system may also contribute to overall wellness, from reducing inflammation and supporting a healthy immune response to promoting functions like digestion and brain health.
Comes in small, large, or a set of both
When to avoid using the Lymphatic Drainage Brush
Before adding lymphatic drainage brushing to your routine, it’s important to make sure it’s safe for you. According to Braden, you should avoid the depuffing practice if you have any of the following:
- Fever or active infection
- Unexplained or sudden swelling
- Blood clots or clotting disorders
- Pre-eclampsia or uncontrolled blood pressure
- Broken or irritated skin (you can work on unaffected areas)
If you’re unsure whether lymphatic drainage is right for you, it’s always best to consult your doctor beforehand.
Gua Sha vs. Lymphatic Face Brush
If you’ve spent any time in the beauty space, you’ve probably seen both gua sha tools and lymphatic facial brushes being used for depuffing. While they can yield similar results, the way they work—and how easy they are to use correctly at home—is a bit different.
“[The lymphatic facial brush] also has softer bristles, which is really important,” says Riley. “Most people are using too much pressure when they try to do lymphatic work on themselves. That’s actually one of the reasons I’m not a big fan of gua sha for most people at home.”
Because the gua sha tool doesn’t have any give, it’s easy to use too much pressure without even realizing it, according to Riley. And when it comes to lymphatic drainage, more pressure doesn’t mean better results—it can actually work against you.
“With the correct technique and a very light touch, both tools can be helpful,” she says. “But the facial brush naturally encourages the kind of gentle pressure the lymphatic system responds best to, which makes it a really nice option for most people.”
While at-home tools can make a visible difference, they’re not a replacement for professional treatment. “Professional lymphatic drainage is still the most effective way to move lymphatic fluid because it’s based on the actual pathways and timing of the system from a professional with specific training,” she notes. “That said, these tools are excellent for supporting that work at home and helping maintain results between sessions.”
My Experience: Does Lymphatic Facial Brushing Work?
I’ll be honest: The first time I used the lymphatic brush, I went in expecting to get instant, dramatic results like the videos I’d seen all over my feed. So, when I couldn’t tell much of a difference between the side I brushed and the side I didn’t, I was a little disappointed. And as someone with reactive skin, my face and neck also looked pretty red and slightly inflamed after each brushing, though it faded pretty quickly—and admittedly, I might have been using too much pressure.
I found myself consciously reminding myself during the sessions not to use too much pressure. Even with a brush, it’s hard to keep things light, but it does get easier to find that gentle rhythm over time. That said, even if the visible results weren’t obvious to me, I did feel less puffy and overall a little lighter in my face. If nothing else, taking a few minutes to gently massage my skin felt genuinely nice.
And as Riley mentioned, this feels like a tool that works better with consistency. Even just after a week of using it, I started to notice subtle shifts—my jaw looked a tad more lifted, my eyes looked more refreshed, and my face felt less congested overall.
“Even if the visible results weren’t obvious to me, I did feel less puffy and overall a little lighter in my face. If nothing else, taking a few minutes to gently massage my skin felt genuinely nice.”
How to Use It At Home in 6 Easy Steps
Before you begin, start with a clean, dry face (or after your skincare has fully absorbed). And remember, lymphatic drainage should always be done with a light touch and slow, intentional movements. Less about pressure, and more about direction.
Step #1: Open the terminus (hollow of collarbone)
“Terminus is the final drainage point located in the soft hollow above your collarbone, where lymph from the entire body returns to the circulatory system,” says Braden. “It’s important to open this area first before beginning any face or body routine.” Using your brush, start with a few gentle rotations in the hollow above your collarbone. Think of this step as “opening the drain” before guiding fluid downward.
Step #2: Sweep the neck
Using light, overlapping strokes, sweep from just below the jawline downwards towards the base of the neck and collarbone (the terminus). Be sure to sweep behind and below the ear, directing everything back towards the soft hollow at the base of the neck. “The neck is the gateway to the face,” says Braden. “Relieving congestion and directing fluid away from areas where it tends to pool and form pockets of accumulated waste helps maintain the health of the tissue.”
Step #3: Sculpt the jawline and cheeks
Align the brush along your jawline and sweep outward from the chin toward the ear. Then, move to the cheeks, sweeping outward toward the ear and down toward the neck. If you feel tension, Braden suggests gently pulsing the brush in place before continuing your outward and downward movements. Keep it light and rhythmic—there’s no need to press.
Step #4: Depuff the eye area
Start with short, gentle, overlapping sweeps from the base of the jawline, moving up along the laugh line and bridge of the nose toward the inner corner of the eye. Then finish with a long, downward sweep from the eye back toward the jawline. Next, sweep under and above the eye, following the natural contour of the orbital bone out toward the temple. From there, guide the movement downward in front of the ear and toward the collarbone.
To finish, position the brush just beneath the eyebrow, and “without adding pressure, gently ‘stretch and release’ the skin outward toward the temple.”
Step #5: Sweep the nose and forehead
Place the brush at the side of your nose and sweep upward toward the forehead, then outward along the brow bone to the temple. Gently wiggle the brush on the browline and sweep outward. For the forehead, use light strokes from the center outward toward the temples, following your hairline. Wiggle your brush along your hairline before guiding the movement down behind the ears and toward the base of your neck.
Step #6: Finishing sweeps
To finish, use long, gentle strokes moving outwards and downward, following the natural lymphatic pathways toward the collarbone. End how you began with a few light rotations at the terminus. The entire process should take 5 to 10 minutes, and when done correctly, it should feel relaxing, not stressful.
How Often Should You Use the Lymphatic Drainage Brush?
When it comes to lymphatic drainage, consistency matters more than intensity. Unlike some beauty treatments that promise dramatic, one-and-done results, this is more about building a sustainable routine. “If someone is using a facial brush at home, I usually recommend keeping it very simple and consistent,” says Riley. “Even a minute or two most days, especially in the morning, can be helpful. It works much better as a small daily habit than something you do occasionally and expect dramatic results from.”
In other words, you don’t need a long, complicated routine to see benefits. A few gentle passes each morning can do wonders for helping you feel more refreshed and less puffy over time.
Comes in small, large, or a set of both
Lauren Barnhill, Contributing Writer
Lauren Barnhill is a freelance writer with a passion for all things fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle. Beyond The Everygirl, Lauren has written for top outlets including Real Simple, SUCCESS, and BuzzFeed. She is also the voice behind Leisurely, a Substack newsletter all about living an unhurried, intentional life.
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