A Lymphatic Massage Therapist's Top 3 Tips To Lift & Tone The Neck Area

Treating sagging skin on the neck is a delicate dance. Of course, you could always go the in-office route (lasers, microneedling, and such); still, experts recommend committing to at-home methods to encourage firmer skin over time—and these require proceeding with caution. Your neck skin is often way more sensitive than other parts of your face, after all, so it may face irritation from beloved topicals like retinol and AHAs. 

That's why Flávia Lanini suggests adding some gentle daily lymphatic work to your routine. A refresher: Your lymphatic system doesn't have its own "pump," so it relies on physical manipulation (as well as exercise, diet, hydration, etc.) to function normally.

You have a high concentration of lymph nodes in your face and neck, and specific movements can help encourage flow—and promoting blood circulation can lead to tighter, more supple skin. 

"The best time to perform a lymphatic massage on yourself is in the morning," Lanini declares. See, lymph buildup often results in swelling, which only gets exacerbated by overnight fluid retention. So if you frequently wake up puffy, gentle massage techniques can help drain and circulate that excess fluid. 

"Just a little time each morning is all it takes," Lanini adds. She recommends making it part of your daily skin care routine: Wash your face (she recommends using a silicone cleansing brush; "this alone is a form of lymphatic massage," she says), apply your tonics and serums, massage your face and neck, then finish with hydrating creams and sunscreen. 

As we've previously reported, the best way to drain the neck is to first locate the main collection ducts located in the hollow right above your collarbone. Apply light pressure and gently pull the skin down in a very slow motion, repeating on both sides. 

It might feel more natural to swipe with upward strokes (it's called a face-lift, after all), but Lanini encourages downward motions to effectively drain the lymphatic system. 

After cleansing, patting dry, and applying an oil for some slip, "I gently force it down, creating an open pathway to drain the knots," she explains. "When forcing the lymphatic knots to drain, it results in a clear visualization of reduced inflammation. This effect makes the area look smaller and thinner, giving the sensation of firmer skin on the neck." 

Gently is the operative word here! According to Lanini, people often apply far too much pressure on the delicate skin of the neck, where we have fewer, more delicate muscles. "We could severely damage blood vessels in that area if we do not know the proper technique or the correct way of using equipment for face-lifts," she adds. 

If you're concerned about applying too much pressure, feel free to use a facial roller for your massage—the weight of the tool itself is just enough to stimulate the lymphatic system, says Lanini.