It's time to talk about lymphatic drainage

Sabrina Sweet, a.k.a. "Miss Lymph," is answering ours FAQs

Jul 11, 2025

At this point, it wouldn’t be my Instagram explore page without a woman either a) taking a wooden paddle to her own stomach or b) getting her thighs kneaded like dough on a massage table. This is all in the name of lymphatic drainage, of course.

Over the past few years, I’ve become nonconsensually familiar with this whole ordeal. I know it involves terms like “Brazilian method” and “toxin flushing,” and if you really wanted me to, I could probably offer a very cursory demonstration on myself.

The (self-)flagellation no longer bothers me — I guess it’s just par for the course when you write about wellness and beauty in the internet era. I do, however, have plenty of questions (shocker). That’s why I’m keeping this intro short and sweet today because we’re about to cover a lot of ground, courtesy of our resident lymphatic drainage expert, Sabrina Sweet.

Sabrina Sweet, a.k.a. Miss Lymph, is a lymphatic drainage specialist based in Los Angeles. What started as a 2020 side hustle turned into a full-blown business, through which she blends holistic healing with results-driven care to help women reconnect with their bodies. I asked Sabrina an ungodly amount of questions, which she so graciously answered for us all today.

First of all, what is the lymphatic system?

Okay, let’s break it down real quick — your lymphatic system is like your body’s internal cleanup crew. It helps drain toxins, flush out waste, reduce inflammation, and boost your immunity. It doesn’t have a pump like your heart, so it needs you to help it flow through movement, breath, hydration, and massage.

misslymph

A post shared by @misslymph

Why does it need draining?

Love this question! Your lymph system needs draining because unlike your blood (which has the heart to pump it), your lymph has no built-in pump — it literally depends on you to move it. When it gets stagnant you start to feel puffy, bloated, sluggish, tired, and just off. So think of lymph like a river — if it’s not flowing, it gets murky. But when it moves, you feel lighter and clearer.

When we talk about lymphatic drainage, we’re talking about helping your body move stagnant lymph fluid so it can properly flush out toxins, reduce swelling, and support your immune and digestive systems. It’s like giving your body a reset from the inside out.

What are all of the types of lymphatic drainage treatments?

There are so many different styles of lymphatic drainage massage — like Vodder, which is super gentle and medical-based, and Brazilian, which is faster and firmer with more sculpting. I personally do something in the middle (the Miss Lymph Method).

PS Jolie and I talked about facial lymphatic drainage here

I’ve definitely heard of Vodder and Brazilian, but are there any other types? Can you compare them all?

Absolutely! (There are so many different methods and styles, but I’ll differentiate the most popular ones out there right now in my opinion).

Manual:

Vodder Technique (Classic European Style)
- Developed by Dr. Emil Vodder
- Very medical, gentle, and slow. Uses light, rhythmic, repetitive strokes.
- Focuses on lymph node stimulation and fluid direction so it’s less sculpting and more about supporting internal function.
- Often used in hospitals or for post-cancer care because it’s very effective for chronic swelling, lymphedema, or post-surgical needs.
Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage
- Known for being aesthetic and results-driven (for sculpting, toning, and debloating)
- Faster-paced, includes deeper pressure, contouring, and some abdominal massage
- Often paired with oils, creams, or tools
- Very popular on social media and among influencers/models because of its immediate “snatched” effect but it’s not always suitable for all conditions.

(The Miss Lymph Method™ is a modern, intuitive blend of those two. It uses breath work, energy awareness, nervous system support, and guided touch to balance functional drainage with light sculpting.)

And then there’s options that involve a machine or tools (rather than manual/hands on approach:

Lymphatic Compression Machines (Body Suits / Boots like Ballancer Pro, Normatec, etc)
- Uses air pressure in cycles to stimulate lymph flow, mimicking the squeezing motion of manual lymphatic drainage
- Great for reducing swelling and improving circulation, so it’s often used for post-travel or post-workout recovery
- The results are mostly short-term, but it’s good for regular maintenance
Icoone Machine
- Uses mechanical rollers with vacuum technology to provide multi-level skin and fascia stimulation
- Can support lymph flow, but the focus is more aesthetic + cellular rejuvenation, (targets cellulite, tissue detox, and circulation)
- Must be used with a technician and in a structured treatment plan
Endosphères / Endermologie
- Use vibrating rollers + mechanical pressure to stimulate the skin and deeper tissues
- Improve circulation, lymph flow, muscle tone, and cellulite appearance
- Feels like a firm massage, often done on full body or targeted areas.
- It’s more mechanical and aggressive than manual lymphatic drainage, so it’s not recommended right after surgery
- Usually requires multiple sessions for visible change
Wood Therapy (Maderoterapia)
- Uses wooden tools (rollers, cups, sculpting sticks) to move lymph and break up fascia to promote fluid movement
- Commonly seen in Brazilian-style body sculpting
- Focused more on aesthetics rather than detox; has a temporary slimming effect
- Can be too aggressive for sensitive bodies, post-op clients, or true lymphatic focus so it’s best used in moderation or combined with softer techniques

I always encourage my clients to explore, try different approaches, and tune in to what feels best in their body. Personally, I believe in an all-hands, less-is-more approach—because that’s where you really start to feel what’s happening beneath the surface. But at the end of the day, it’s all preference, and it’s all valid!

Why did lymphatic drainage suddenly become popular over the past few years?

Lymphatic drainage has been around forever — like, ancient healing forever — but it’s only become super popular in the last few years because people are finally realizing that wellness isn’t just about working out or eating clean, it’s about what’s happening internally too.

Obviously, social media started showing the instant results, so it became the go-to ritual for models, celebs, etc. But also, during the pandemic, people’s focus shifted more towards immune health, detox, and nervous system regulation as we became more aware of inflammation, gut health, and hormone balance.

So yeah, it’s trendy now, but it’s also timeless. And while there are aesthetic benefits, there are energetic benefits too.

real screenshot from my Instagram, case in point

Is this the sort of thing I can do once and see a result? Or is this meant as a regular practice?

I get this question all the time. Yes, you can absolutely feel a difference after just one lymphatic drainage session. A lot of people leave feeling lighter, less puffy, more relaxed, and even notice their digestion or energy shift within hours. So if you're prepping for an event, a flight, your period, or just need a reset, you’ll definitely benefit from a single session.

But the real magic comes with consistency. Lymphatic drainage is like movement, hydration, or skincare — it works best when it’s a regular ritual. The more often you support your body’s natural detox systems, the more balanced, sculpted, and in tune you feel. It becomes less about “fixing” something and more about maintaining flow.

What are some easy, at-home ways to practice lymphatic drainage / detox?

You don’t need a spa or fancy setup to support your lymph! There are so many easy, at-home ways to help your body detox and flow.

Start with warm lemon water in the morning to wake up your system.
Do a quick dry brush before you shower, brushing toward your heart to gently stimulate lymph movement.
Deep belly breathing — literally just in for 4, out for 4 — helps move your lymph.
A little face massage or gua sha works wonders. Just remember: always finish by sweeping down your neck.
A castor oil belly wrap with heat is one of my go-tos. It's amazing for digestion, hormonal support, and lymphatic detox.
If you want something passive but super effective, hop on a vibration plate. Even 5–10 minutes helps stimulate lymph flow, improve circulation, and reduce water retention, plus it feels sooo good after travel or sitting all day.
And of course, never underestimate a good walk, stretch, or bounce session — lymph loves gentle, intentional movement.

Quick Fire Myth-Busting:

Does it have to be super deep to work?

Nope, lymphatic massage is not deep tissue. Your lymph vessels live just under the skin, so gentle, rhythmic touch is actually way more effective than digging in. More pressure does not equal better results.

You can’t do it yourself, right?

Yes you can! There are plenty of ways to support your lymph at home — gua sha, dry brushing, breathwork, self-massage, and movement. (That’s why I created my self-lymph offerings, to teach you how.)

Is CoolSculpting Lymphatic Drainage?

No, CoolSculpting is a cosmetic procedure designed to freeze and eliminate fat cells in targeted areas. It’s all external. You’re not addressing inflammation, circulation, or the root cause of bloating or swelling. In fact, a lot of people get lymphatic drainage after procedures like CoolSculpt to help with recovery and fluid buildup.

The biggest thank you to Sabrina for answering all of our lymphatic drainage related questions. I personally just learned so much. If you’re ever in Southern California, promise to go pay Miss Lymph a visit for me and I’ll live vicariously through you.

Food for Thought

Rounding this out with some random musings as of late, lymphatic drainage-related and otherwise…

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Tronque makes the best dry brush.
After her Into the Fridge feature, I revisited one of my favorite
Erica Chidi
podcasts, and I highly recommend you listen if you haven’t already. Or even if you have.
Two things I’m doing even when it’s hot out: lighting candles and drinking tea. And just because I’m crazy, the candle is sweet and the tea is savory. I know, I’m out of control.
I’m trying meal delivery services for an upcoming post, so if you have recommendations or ones you’re particularly curious about, go ahead and bang my line.