The Lymphatic System and our skin
In the pursuit of perfectly glowing skin, we must treat ourselves from the inside out and the outside in. Lymphatic drainage is a therapeutic massage that has long been used to treat a variety of bodily concerns by stimulating the lymphatic system to promote the removal of excess fluids, toxins, and waste products from the body. But in recent years, we have welcomed this beautifully versatile therapy into the world of holistic skin care – offering a plethora of benefits for skin health.
Our lymphatic system is considered to be the “second” circulatory system. It is the sanitation and recycling system of your body. Connected to every other system in the body, the intricate network of vessels, capillaries and nodes branch out to the nervous, digestive, and neurological systems. All your organs rely on the lymphatic system for optimal functioning, from your liver to your skin to your brain.
Playing several critical roles in your body, the lymphatic system is essential to the immune system - producing and releasing lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and other immune cells. These cells look for and destroy harmful pathogens. It also acts as a garbage collector, filtering out bacteria and toxins that may cause disease; aids the digestive system by absorbing fat and fatty acids from your gut and transporting them back to your bloodstream, making them available as fuel to your cells. And finally, it maintains the fluid balance in your body by collecting, purifying and draining excess fluid so that your tissues don’t swell.
When our lymphatic system functions properly, we feel vibrant, energetic and clear-headed. But if it is congested, we can suffer lethargy and heaviness and feel sluggishness throughout the body. With congestion comes an accumulation of toxins, metabolic waste, dead cells, hormones, bacteria and water beneath the skin. This can lead to dull, uneven, puffy skin and contribute to rashes, acne, rosacea, eczema & psoriasis. An under-functioning lymphatic system can also catalyse poor immunity, which is overburdened with frequent illness. Again, this can cause less vibrant skin prone to inflammation and uneven texture.
Twice as vast as the cardiovascular system, our lymphatic system exists without a central pump, like the heart, to move the fluid around. Its flow relies on the pulsing of nearby arteries, skeletal muscle contractions, and breathing. That’s why massage, breathwork and exercise are invaluable to good lymphatic health.
What can you do to improve and maintain a healthy lymphatic flow:
· Drink plenty of water – lymph fluid is about 95% water, so adequate hydration is required to keep it flowing freely
· Exercise – our pumpless lymphatic system relies on movement to flow
· Diet – Consume “good fats” such as olive oil, flaxseed oil and avocado in your regular diet, being mindful of adding salt to your foods and processed foods such as chips, cakes, biscuits and chocolate.
· Lymphatic drainage massage – this can be done professionally or by yourself (while it is a safe practice to perform at home, always consult with a professional before undertaking).
· Lymphatic brush – Lymphatic Brushes are bristle face and body brushes with a unique bristle pattern and density combination that grip the skin in a precise way, targeting the superficial lymph vessels residing just under the skin. Combined with specialised techniques, they mimic the passive contractions of the lymph vessels to propel fluids and stimulate lymph flow manually.
If you would like to discuss further any concerns about your own skin health and how it may be affected by your lymphatic system, book a Corneotherapy Consult or Neolifting Facial Sculpting treatment with Krystyna here.
