We’re all just living our lives at the mercy of the almighty algorithm—and if you’re as beauty obsessed as we are, you’ve likely stumbled upon those lymphatic face brushes on TikTok or Instagram. It’s happened to me, Vogue’s beauty editor Kiana Murden, and even comedian and recent Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser who whipped out the tool in her Beauty Secrets video.
Though she was initially skeptical about their efficacy, Glaser methodically sweeps one of the brushes from the center of her face outward, until she suddenly pauses and exclaims, “Oh my God—it’s working.” The side of the face she was working on appears noticeably more chiseled and defined than the other, so she gets back to brushing, this time switching to the second side.
To wit, lymphatic brushes join the ranks of depuffing tools like gua shas, face rollers, and dry brushes; most working to stimulate lymphatic drainage, your body’s natural detoxification process. “Unlike the vascular system, which relies on the heart to pump blood throughout the body, the lymph system doesn t have its own pressure pump,” explains Tammy Fender, holistic practitioner and founder of eponymous skin-care line and spa. “Instead, lymph collects the body’s metabolic waste and toxins, then drains based on our movement, like walking or exercise, but also through manual movements.”
However, not all methodologies are actually meant to promote lymphatic drainage, says Cecily Braden is an esthetician, spa educator, and eponymous brand founder. For example, gua sha and dry brushing are best used to support blood flow and microcirculation, which helps feed the cells nutrient-rich plasma. “Beauty rollers can promote lymphatic flow, but to effectively increase lymphatic circulation, the tissue must be engaged in a precise way that supports the natural function of the lymphatic vessels,” she adds.
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According to Braden, the best methods to increase lymph flow to drain fluid and waste from tissue are manual lymphatic drainage (using one’s hands) or using her proprietary lymphatic brushes. “To manually manipulate the lymphatic vessels, it takes a deeper understanding of the pathways and plenty of patience to consistently gauge and apply the correct pressure throughout your routine—and performing the movements on yourself is very different and often much harder than working on a client,” she explained. To create an accessible self-care option, she spent years developing The Lymphatic Brush, which launched in 2023.
Her offering features both large and small brush sizes, which look similar but feature differing bristles to provide the right pressure for their corresponding treatment areas. The smaller brush is best for the face due to its longer, softer bristles, while the larger brush has shorter, firmer bristles meant to be used on the face, neck, crown, and the body. Braden recommends using both in tandem. “It’s a common misconception that the small brush is for the face and the large brush is only for the body,” she says. “In truth, the large brush plays the leading role in facial care, making up about 75 percent of the protocol. By focusing on the neck and jawline, the key zones that influence skin vitality, it helps reduce puffiness, dark circles, acne, and inflammation.”
Do lymphatic brushes actually work?
Fender notes that lymphatic brushing can be very effective, but it’s best done consistently and over time to achieve cumulative effects, rather than a one-and-done treatment. “That said, for some who experience very intensive puffiness or whose skin has taken on a dull pallor, the results might be powerful—and quick,” she says. Braden emphasizes that not all lymphatic brushes are created equally, and her patented tool was engineered to work with facial tissue and the lymphatic vessel system to target inflammation.
There are many dupes of her original design, which Braden says “are either too hard or too soft and with unknown bristle materials that are reported to scratch the skin and cause sensitivities.” The right brush will help quell inflammation and promote lymphatic drainage to deliver multiple and lasting benefits.
The Benefits of Lymphatic Face Brushes
Using the right tool is essential; Braden designed her double-bristled brushes to soften the tissue fluid, open the lymph vessels and increase flow of lymph through them, creating a quick and efficient way to drain stagnant fluid. Of The Lymphatic Brush, Braden cites myriad cosmetic and therapeutic benefits from head to toe, inclusive of clearer, brighter, smoother, and firmer-looking skin; reduced bloating and fluid retention; expedited post-surgical healing and healthy immune response; a calmer central nervous system and alleviated anxiety, physical stress, and brain fog, just to name a few.
In general, the benefits of lymphatic drainage far outweigh any drawbacks. “If you think of the skin as a fish tank, it’s easy to understand the importance of keeping the tissue fluid, the immediate environment around the cells, clean and pristine,” says Braden. “By supporting lymphatic drainage to filter out cellular waste, it enables the fish—your cells—to get nutrients without obstruction, all while reducing inflammation in the tissue, which is the common denominator for most skincare concerns.” Fender agrees, adding that removing toxins helps your skin (the body’s largest organ, by the way), to shift from “defense mode” to “repair mode.” “This brings a fresh new radiance to the complexion and can help increase a revitalizing feeling for the whole being,” Fender says.
The Drawbacks of Lymphatic Face Brushes
In most cases, any downsides of lymphatic face brush usage will come courtesy of user error. “The pressure you use with a lymphatic face brush should be so very light—never tugging or pulling in a way that would cause aging to the skin,” says Fender, noting that when people think ‘detoxification,’ they tend to go overboard. “The lymph layer sits very close to the skin’s surface, and if you use too much pressure you can’t move the fluid—you actually trap it.” Let the tool do all the work; Fender adds that it can’t hurt to book a professional treatment like her Manual Lymphatic Drainage facial to get a sense of the movements and sequencing used by skilled practitioners ahead of starting your own practice. It’s also worth noting that using too much pressure or a lymphatic brush with coarse bristles may irritate rosacea- or acne-prone skin.
Because the lymphatic brush is used regularly, you’ll want to make sure you stroke it across clean, dry skin (or directly after you’ve let a product like Tammy Fender Plant Milk Serum fully absorb) and quickly clean it with a 70 percent alcohol spray after your treatment session. You can do a deeper clean with antibacterial soap (like you would a makeup brush) as needed.
Everything You Need to Know
What are signs that your lymphatic system is draining?
The two easiest ways to tell if your lymphatic system is draining well is noticing clearer, brighter skin and reduced puffiness around the eyes, says Fender. “Some of the most important signs are also very subtle,” she adds. These signs can include a wide range of sensations and physical changes, notes Braden. This could be everything from improved mental clarity, focus, and stress response to a reduction in bloating, gastrointestinal discomfort, and headaches.
However, if you’re feeling a little discomfort or nausea immediately after a lymphatic drainage treatment, that’s normal: “As the body processes and drains excess fluid, congestion, and the accumulation of wastes, it may cause temporary pain,” says Braden. As the fluid drains and tissues soften, pain should be relieved (with restored mobility, too).
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
Meet the Experts
- Tammy Fender is a holistic practitioner and founder of eponymous skin-care line and spa Tammy Fender.
- Cecily Braden is an esthetician, spa educator and founder of The Lymphatic Brush.
