Kylie Jenner Is Prepping for the Met Gala With Lymphatic Drainage Massage—an Expert Breaks Down What It Is and How It Works - AOL.com

[Sam Neibart]

Sam Neibart

May 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM

Welcome to Your Lymphatic Drainage Masterclass Dimitrios Kambouris - Getty Images


It's Met Gala Monday, which means our feeds are about to be filled with all the most fabulous celebrities looking snatched and glowy as hell as they walk up the stairs of the Met and head into the event. As a beauty editor, I know that these A-listers don't just wake up looking this good. They do buzzy cosmetic treatments ahead of events like the Met Gala, including Botox, fillers, lasers like Fraxel, and RF microneedling like Morpheus8, to smooth, light, and tighten their skin.

These treatments are all a part of the red carpet beauty prep process, and I've covered them all over the years. That said, there is one treatment that's by no means new (or invasive!) but has recently come onto my radar as another thing that all the celebs are doing before big events like the Met Gala: lymphatic drainage massage.

Tatiana Vianna, a lymphatic drainage expert and founder of Brazilian Beauty Bar in Los Angeles, says that when she first started doing lymphatic treatments in 2017, there wasn't a ton of demand for her services ahead of events, but now? She's simply another part of her celeb clientele's glam squad—just like a makeup artist or hair stylist. Vianna has become the go-to practitioner for Met Gala regulars, including Kim Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner (she's been working with all three ahead of the event this year), helping them feel their most confident and look their absolute best in whatever outfits they dare to wear.

Ahead, Vianna shares everything you want to know about lymphatic drainage, why celebrities love it, and how you can go about adding it into your own special event prep routine.

How does lymphatic drainage massage work?​

Okay, bear with me as I get a little sciency for a minute. The lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels, and nodes that helps your body filter out waste and bacteria as a critical component of a healthy body and immune system. The lymphatic system collects excess fluid from tissues, filters it through lymph nodes, and eventually returns it to the bloodstream, while the waste products are processed by the liver and kidneys, and then excreted through urine and bowel movements.

However, unlike the circulatory system that uses the heart’s contractions to move blood through the body, the lymphatic system has no central organ or pump to regulate the movement of fluid. Lymphatic fluid does naturally move via muscle contractions and deep diaphragmatic breathing, but a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, or unhealthy diet can congest it.

The lymphatic drainage massage technique involves manually moving the lymph with firm physical pressure in a specific sequence towards the largest lymph drains in the body, primarily the neck, groin, and armpits. Vianna likens lymphatic drainage massage to using a mop to direct water in a large flooded room into a single drain to expedite the process.

What does lymphatic drainage massage do?​

Moving stagnated lymph through directed massage promotes the filtration and flushing process, leading to the expulsion of excess fluid via waste. In turn, the face and body look less puffy, bloated, and/or swollen. The pressure of massage also increases blood circulation for glowier, smoother-appearing skin.

When it comes to prepping the stars for an event such as the Met Gala, Vianna will slightly tailor her signature sequence for more focused contouring. “I go based on what they're wearing,” she says. “I get the visual of a dress, and we think about what feature matters most with the gown.”

Who is lymphatic drainage massage for?​

Most of us don’t have a paparazzi-filled event to go to, but anyone can enjoy looking and feeling their best after a lymphatic drainage massage. “We all have lymph nodes, so we all benefit,” Vianna says. It helps with immune system support and reduces fluid retention. There are also additional health benefits for people who have non-working lymph nodes due to illness and need to encourage drainage to other nodes for improved lymph circulation (just be sure to get clearance from your doctor first).

How long do the effects of lymphatic drainage massage last?​

Clients see immediate results following lymphatic drainage massage, but the results improve over the next few days as the body continues its natural waste processes. Most clients see their results peak three days post-massage, Vianna says, adding that those results can last for up to 10 days but need to be maintained by healthy habits. Vianna recommends avoiding sodium-heavy foods, alcohol, and processed sugar, all of which can cause bloating in the days after a massage. She encourages her clients to drink green tea (a natural diuretic for helping with fluid retention) and suggests eating more protein and water-laden veggies like spinach, cucumber, and leafy greens.

In preparation for a major red carpet moment, Vianna’s celebrity clientele may start doing lymphatic drainage massages as often as once or twice a week in the months leading up to an event. Some may do just two or three sessions the week before. It depends on the client’s time and preferences.

Can you DIY a lymphatic drainage massage?​

Yes! You can incorporate some lymphatic drainage techniques into your routine and reap the benefits without necessarily having to see an expert. “I’ll have my clients do a mini version of my session at home,” says Vianna. If you only have a couple of minutes in the morning or at night, here are a couple of easy moves she loves for quick results:

For the face​

To make your jawline look instantly more contoured and chiseled, pinch your chin with your index finger and thumb, then move your fingers in a gliding motion up your jaw towards your ear. Then drag your fingers down the side of your neck to encourage drainage. Do this motion five to 10 times on each side. “A lot of fluid sits here, so a few motions can make a difference in how sculpted your jaw can look,” explains Vianna.

For the body​

For a fast-acting abdominal massage, put one hand on top of the other and then, starting at the top of your ribcage, press down firmly and glide your hands down towards your hip bones. Do this five to ten times on either side of your stomach to assist in debloating.

Meet the expert:​

• 
  Tatiana Vianna is a lymphatic drainage expert and founder of Brazilian Beauty Bar, where she specializes in lymphatic drainage treatments using the latest manual drainage methods from Brazil.
  

Why trust Cosmopolitan?​

Sam Neibart is a freelance writer and editor who has been covering beauty in digital and print for nearly a decade. She reports on the ever-evolving landscape of trends, tastemakers, and technology in the industry and loves nothing more than helping friends and readers discover the beauty products that are best for them. Previously, she held editorial positions at NYLON and Harper’s BAZAAR. She currently lives in Manhattan and biannually experiences the strong urge to dye her hair a new color.

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