Lymphatic facial massage in Palo Alto: three ways to book it

It is a gentle massage of the face and neck that uses light, slow, rhythmic strokes directed toward the lymph nodes in the neck. W Spa offers lymphatic facial massage in Palo Alto as a 30 or 50 minute appointment, and the pressure stays light throughout, because the technique is meant to move the skin gently rather than knead the muscle underneath.

A lymphatic facial typically works from the neck outward and back again:

People who wake up puffy, people with an event later that day, and people who want a quiet half hour of very light massage. Any change in puffiness is likely to be short-lived, so timing matters more than length: the morning of an event, or the evening before, makes more sense than several days ahead.

It also suits anyone who finds ordinary massage too firm. If you want the facial after an ordinary massage, book the 90-Min Combo and choose Swedish or deep tissue for the first hour. If you want the whole appointment light and slow, book the drainage special. If you only want your face and neck worked, book the facial on its own.

Start with 30 minutes if you have not had one before; it is also the length used in the combo and the special. The 50 minute session is $168, twice the half-hour price for 20 more minutes, so book it for the extra time rather than for value.

It uses the same light, rhythmic strokes over the arms, legs, back and torso instead of the face, in sessions of 60, 90 or 120 minutes. It feels nothing like deep tissue: the strokes move toward the lymph nodes rather than into the muscle, and there is no facial unless you book the special.

On Fresha the drainage + facial special is listed under Lymphatic Drainage rather than under the facials, so look there when you book.

No. Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema is medical care. The NHS describes it as one of the 4 parts of decongestive lymphatic therapy, alongside compression bandages, skin care and exercise, which may mean daily treatment for several weeks, usually from a specialist therapist. The National Cancer Institute describes a similar package, called complete decongestive therapy, for cancer-related lymphedema. A spa appointment is a relaxation treatment, and anyone with lymphedema, or who has had lymph nodes removed, should ask their care team before booking any massage.

Most of the evidence is about lymphedema rather than puffy faces. A 2015 Cochrane review of manual lymphatic drainage after breast cancer treatment found 6 trials with 208 participants. Compression bandaging alone reduced swelling by about 30% to 37%, adding lymphatic drainage reduced it by a further 7.11%, and people with mild to moderate lymphedema responded better than those with more severe swelling. The reviewers found drainage safe and well tolerated, and noted that the trials were small, with 24 to 45 people each.

We found little published research on lymphatic facial massage as a cosmetic treatment for puffiness, so be wary of anyone who promises a lasting result.

Lymphatic massage is also sold as a way to flush out toxins. We do not make that claim, and we know of no good research that supports it. MedlinePlus describes the job of the lymphatic system as clearing away infection and keeping body fluids in balance.

Anyone with swelling nobody has explained, and anyone whose skin or lymph nodes are already under a clinician's care. A new lump, a swollen gland in the neck or facial swelling that came on suddenly is a reason to see a doctor before booking a massage. Check first if any of these apply:

At W Spa, 441 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, half a block off University Avenue. Book the facial, the combo or the drainage special on Fresha, or call (650) 272-6881. We are open every day from 9:30 AM to 10 PM, so a 30 minute facial fits into a lunch break or an evening.

If you drive, park on the street right outside or on the streets around the spa; the City of Palo Alto lists short-term downtown parking as free, with posted signs having the final say. From Palo Alto Caltrain station it is roughly a 10-minute walk.