THE Western beauty world is giving lymphatic drainage the attention it deserves for de-puffing and revitalising skin.
The technique has been practised by Korean Beauty experts for centuries, and it’s acknowledgement in Western cultures has skyrocketed in recent years.
However, a good lymphatic drainage facial massage can cost you over £100 – outpricing many of us.
So frugal skincare and beauty lovers have taken to the internet to learn tips and tricks on DIY lymphatic drainage techniques they can do at home for free.
One strange trick has taken the internet by storm – and all you’ll need is an elastic hair tie.
TikTok user @addie.beckman posted a tutorial to her page, showing viewers how to use the hair ties to get snatched, quickly.
Addie jokingly captioned the video: “Who is this diva with the hair ties around her ears?”
In the video, she stands facing towards the camera and turns to the left and right to show what she looked like before the hack.
Addie then demonstrated how you would attach the ties to your ears – she loops them round her fingers and then hooks one over each ear.
The TikTokker leaves them on for 30 minutes, before returning to show some impressive results.
Her face appears less puffy and her skin looks tighter than before.
Viewers were quick to comment on her transformation, with one writing: “I tried this for fun a few weeks ago and now it’s a staple because it also clears my sinuses so well!”
Another wrote: “yes, I do this every morning and it works for me!!”
And someone else claimed: “I tried this and it got rid of my sore throat lol!”
But not all viewers were convinced.
One user commented: “How does this work? I don’t understand how just the hair tie would drain without any massage.”
In the replies, Addie admitted: “Honestly, no clue. I did little to no research.”
Your lymphatic system is made up of multiple lymph nodes and tubes, which run all around the body and ensures that lymph (a colourless, watery substance that carries nutrients and proteins to your cells and tissues) is transported back into the blood stream.
You can sometimes get a blockage in your lymphatic system (you may have felt swollen lymph nodes when you’ve had a cold) which need a massage to break down and smooth out.
According to Harley Street’s Neo Health Clinic: “The drainage of the lymphatic system can lead to a reduction in swelling of the face, and some feel it leads to a more glowing complexion.”
Facial drainage massage sees a professional applying gentle pressure in ‘a range of different rubbing, tapping and pushing movements’.
However, the clinic advises that the procedure ‘should always be carried out by a professional’.
Katya Khayutin, Owner of BelVer Studio and master aesthetician, spoke to Popsugar on the credibility of the hair tie method: “Wrapping rubber bands or hair ties around your ears is not an effective or safe method for de-puffing your face.
“While manipulations around the ears are indeed a part of lymphatic drainage massage, a technique used by professionals to reduce puffiness, these require specific, trained motions to be effective.
“Simply wrapping rubber bands or hair ties around your ears won’t achieve the desired effect.”
