Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Gentle lymphatic drainage for the face and body, designed to ease the heavy, puffy feeling of fluid retention
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a gentle massage that follows the pathways of your lymphatic system, the network of channels that drains excess fluid from your tissues. Very light, slow movements are designed to ease the heavy, puffy feeling of fluid retention, and any change is usually temporary. It is often booked before or after a flight, around the menopause, before a holiday or special event, and as part of aftercare following surgery. If you have lymphoedema or lipoedema, please speak to your GP or specialist team before booking. Every session starts with a consultation, and results vary from person to person.
When clients book lymphatic drainage
Your lymphatic system is a network of channels that drains excess fluid from your tissues. Body lymphatic drainage follows its pathways with very light, slow movements, designed to help you feel lighter.
A full-body session usually works from the neck down through the arms, abdomen and legs, where fluid tends to collect and puffiness is most often felt. The pressure is very light and it should never hurt.
Some people book a single session before an event or after a flight, and others book a course. Your therapist will suggest what suits you at your consultation.
Puffiness and fluid retention
Gentle movements designed to ease the heavy, puffy feeling of fluid retention, often in the legs, ankles, tummy and face.
Before and after flights
A calm session before you travel, and for legs that feel heavy or puffy afterwards. If one leg is painful, swollen, warm or discoloured after a flight, please do not book a massage. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111, as it could be a blood clot.
Menopause
Some women feel puffier around the menopause, and a calm session can help you feel lighter and more comfortable for a while. Your GP can advise on menopause symptoms and treatment.
Menopause →Before a special event
A relaxing session before a wedding, party or photoshoot, designed to help you feel lighter and less puffy.
Before and after a holiday
A calm way to feel lighter before you travel, and to ease tired, heavy legs when you are home.
Lymphoedema and lipoedema
If you have lymphoedema or lipoedema, please speak to your GP or specialist team before booking. With their agreement, we offer gentle drainage alongside their care, not in place of it.
After surgery
Aftercare with Sharon after body, breast and facial surgery, planned around your surgeon's advice.
Post-Operative Care →Time to switch off
A slow, quiet massage with very light pressure, designed to help you relax and unwind.
Please see your GP before booking if swelling has not settled after a few days or is getting worse. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if it is only on one side and you do not know why, or if it is severe, painful, red, hot or sudden. Call 999 if you are short of breath or have chest pain, as it could be a blood clot. Our sessions do not replace medical care, and results vary from person to person.
Treatment Areas
Facial lymphatic drainage after surgery
Our MLD Lymphatic Drainage Facial can form part of your aftercare following a facelift, eyelid surgery, or a brow or lip lift, including surgery with Mr Darryl Coombes, our consultant facial plastic surgeon.
Mr Coombes recommends that his patients see Sharon, who has over 20 years' experience in post-operative care, from seven days after surgery, then weekly until you are happy with how the swelling has settled.
The movements are very light and slow, designed to ease swelling and help you feel more comfortable as you heal. Sharon works around your incisions, never over them, and adds scar massage only once your wounds have fully healed. After other surgery, sessions begin only once your surgeon has agreed.
Post-operative care
Aftercare with Sharon, who has over 20 years' experience, after liposuction, fat transfer, tummy tucks, breast and facial surgery.
Post-Operative Care →Surgery with Mr Coombes
The Apex Facelift®, eyelid surgery, and brow and lip lifts at Eastergate Medical Aesthetics.
Cosmetic Surgery →Skin after a facelift
After an Apex Facelift®, Mr Coombes recommends RF microneedling, Sofwave or SkinPen from six weeks after surgery, to help preserve your results.
Pricing
| Treatment | Duration | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mins | 30m | from £45 | Book |
| 45 mins | 45m | from £60 | Book |
| 60 mins | 60m | from £75 | Book |
| 80 mins | 80m | from £100 | Book |
| Full Body & Face | 80m | from £120 | Book |
| Course of 6 | 60m | from £400 | Book |
| Course of 10 | 60m | from £650 | Book |
| Course of 12 | 60m | from £800 | Book |
| Course of 14 | 60m | from £900 | Book |
| Course of 16 | 70m | from £1025 | Book |
| MLD Lymphatic Drainage Facial | 50m | from £65 | Book |
| Lymphatic Body Brushing | 55m | from £70 | Book |
| Lipoedema Management Drainage | 60m | from £85 | Book |
| Wood Therapy Body Contouring | 70m | from £75 | Book |
| Brazilian Body Contouring | 60m | from £90 | Book |
| Recovery Expert Programme, 1 Session | 60m | from £120 | Book |
| Recovery Expert Programme, Course of 8 | 60m | from £750 | Book |
| Recovery Expert Programme, Course of 10 | 60m | from £900 | Book |
Prices shown are the lowest starting price across our clinics and may vary by location and individual needs. Consultation required.
What to Expect
Preparation
Your first visit starts with a consultation about your health and why you are booking. Please tell us if you have had a blood clot or have a painful or swollen leg, a heart, kidney or liver condition, an infection such as cellulitis, a high temperature, cancer or cancer treatment, or an overactive thyroid, or if you are pregnant, have had a baby in the last six weeks or have had surgery recently, as lymphatic drainage may not be suitable or may need your doctor's agreement first. Please also tell us about any medicines you take, including HRT, the contraceptive pill or blood thinners. Wear comfortable clothing and drink some water before your appointment.
Your Treatment
Your therapist uses very light, slow movements that follow the direction of lymph flow, over the face, the body or both. It should never be painful. Sessions take 30 to 80 minutes, depending on the areas you would like to focus on.
Aftercare
You may feel relaxed or a little tired afterwards. Drink some water and take it easy for the rest of the day if you can. Any change in puffiness is usually temporary, so some people book regular sessions or a course.
Frequently Asked
Ready for Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
Book a consultation to discuss your goals and create a personalised treatment plan tailored just for you.