Lymphatic drainage or facial lifting massage: which one do you need?
Both make your face look fresher. Both are done by hand. But they work on different layers and solve different problems. Here's how to choose, and why the best results usually come from combining them.
The short answer
- Puffy, swollen, tired? Start with lymphatic drainage.
- Sagging contour, loss of tone, deeper lines? Choose facial lifting massage.
- Both? That's most of us after 35. A lifting session with a drainage stage does both.
Side by side
| Lymphatic drainage | Facial lifting massage | |
|---|---|---|
| Works on | Fluid just under the skin | Facial muscles and the tissue around them |
| Pressure | Very light, slow, rhythmic | Active, deeper, with varied techniques |
| Best for | Puffiness, morning face, heavy eyes, after flights | Tone, contour, lifted cheekbones, softer lines |
| Feels like | Deeply relaxing, often sleepy | Energising, like a workout for the face |
| Effect | Visible straight away, lasts days | Visible straight away, builds up over a course |
| At 360°FACE | Drainage for face and body, from €40 | 4 packages, 30–65 min, €40–€68 |
Why one without the other isn't enough
Drainage alone removes swelling, but if the muscles underneath have lost tone, the contour will still look soft. Lifting alone trains the muscles, but if the face is full of fluid, you won't see the definition you've worked for.
Think of it like this: drainage clears the space, lifting builds the shape. That's why every facial lifting package at 360°FACE ends with a drainage stage and gua sha, and why our Japanese Kobido massage mixes lifting movements with lymphatic drainage in one session.
How to choose by situation
- Big event tomorrow: drainage, or a 30-minute "Express to impress" lifting with drainage.
- Just landed from a long flight: body lymphatic massage, legs first.
- Face looks "heavier" after 40 or during menopause: a course of lifting massage with drainage. Read Skin after 45.
- Stress, poor sleep, clenched jaw: Kobido, which includes drainage, or buccal massage for the jaw.
- Want to see your cheekbones again: Korugi or facial lifting, plus regular drainage.
How often
For a visible, lasting change, regular sessions work better than a one-off: your therapist will suggest a rhythm after the first visit. Read more in How often should you get a face massage?
FAQ
Can I do both in one visit? Yes. All our facial lifting packages include facial drainage. For the body, book a body massage with the lymphatic technique.
Which is better before an event? Drainage, one or two days before. Your face will look fresher and less puffy, without any redness.
Which is more relaxing? Drainage. Lifting massage is more active, though most clients still find it relaxing.
Lymphatic drainage at 360°FACE
More articles
- Clenched jaw, sore temples? Your face might be holding your stress
- Laptop all day, shoulders up to your ears?
- Your face looks tired, even after a good night's sleep?
- Can face massage really make you look younger?
- Puffy eyes in the morning, dark circles all day?
- Skin after 45: what changes in menopause, and what you can do
- Neck lines and a softer jawline: what you can actually change
- Dull, tired skin: how to bring back your glow
- How often should you get a face massage?
- Stress lives in your face: scalp and face massage for calm and better sleep
- Lymphatic drainage: what it really does (and what it doesn't)
- Fascia: the forgotten tissue behind a puffy, tired face
- Stress, breathing and a puffy face: a 3-minute reset
Where to find us
Main studio (Parede): Rua Almeida Garrett 112B, Rana, 2785-344 São Domingos de Rana · Directions
Lisbon studio: Rua Azedo Gneco 48B, 1350-036 Lisboa (Campo de Ourique) · Directions
Phone / WhatsApp: +351 915 311 522 · 360face.portugal@gmail.com