Lymphatic Drainage Massage for Double Chin: A Natural Way to De-Puff

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist @ ABZ

Ever catch your reflection and think, “Where did that double chin come from?” You’re not alone—almost every woman I know has worried about it at some point. 

But here’s something most people don’t realize: sometimes it’s not fat—it’s fluid. Lymphatic congestion (aka trapped fluid under the skin) can make your face look puffier, especially around the jawline and chin.

The good news? There’s a simple, soothing way to help—and you can do it at home with just your hands or a small tool. No fancy treatments required.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to do a gentle massage that supports lymph flow, reduces chin puffiness, and brings back a more sculpted look—naturally.

Why it might be bloating

Your Lymphatic System Runs Through Your Face & Neck

Your lymphatic system is like a drainage network just under your skin. It helps carry away fluid and waste—but it doesn’t move on its own. It relies on movement and gentle pressure.

The arrows in the image above show how lymph naturally flows from your face—out and down toward your neck and collarbone.

Sometimes it’s not fat—it’s just trapped fluid under the skin, known as lymphatic congestion, that makes your face look puffier.

A double chin isn’t always caused by excess fat. Sometimes it’s just fluid trapped under the skin (called lymphatic congestion)—that can make your lower face look a little bloated.

Things like sitting too long, eating salty foods, hormone shifts, or even travel can slow down lymph flow and lead to that heavy, swollen feeling—especially around the cheeks, jawline, and chin.

That’s where lymphatic massage comes in. It helps guide that trapped fluid through natural drainage pathways, reducing bloating and bringing back a more sculpted, refreshed look.

How to do a double-chin massage

You don’t need to be an expert to do this. Just go slow and gentle. The key is to massage in the direction of lymph flow, which is usually down and out—toward your neck and collarbone.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage for Double Chin: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Warm Up Area with Moisturizer or Oil

Start with clean skin. Apply a few drops of facial oil or serum under your chin, along your jawline, and down your neck. As you massage the oil in with light strokes, you’ll naturally start to warm up the area and get circulation going. Do this for 5–10 passes

Step 2: Sweep Down Sides of Your Neck

Place your fingertips just under your ears, spread fingers out and gently glide them down the sides of your neck toward your collarbone. This clears the main drainage pathways. Repeat 5–10 times.

Step 3: Sweep Under-chin

Tilt your head up a little to stretch the area under your chin. Use the flat part of your hand to gently sweep from the center of your chin out toward your jaw—just under your ear. Do a few sweeps back and forth on one side, then switch hands and do the other side. Repeat 10 times.

Step 4: Final Sweep

After that, use your fingers to glide down the sides and front of your entire neck to help drain the fluid.

You can do this routine 3–5 times a week. It takes just a few minutes and feels really relaxing—especially at the end of the day.

Bonus: My favorite under-chin massage

Once you’ve finished your lymphatic drainage routine, there’s one more move I always add—and I swear it makes a difference.

This next massage isn’t part of the traditional lymph flow, but I like to use it as a bonus step to help stimulate the area under the chin and give everything a little lift.

Using the flat part of my hand, I gently stroke upwards under the chin, then glide my palm up the side of my face toward my temple. It’s energizing, boosts circulation, and gives the area a firmer feel.

ABZ Tip: You can try it right after your drainage massage—or on its own whenever you need a quick refresh. Video courtesy of CFF.

Tools for easier massage

Can you use tools to make it easier? Yes!

You can absolutely use massage tools. This is especially helpful if you have stiff fingers, arthritis, or just want to take things up a notch, massage tools make it easier to reach certain areas and let you massage longer without tiring your hands.

Always use it on clean, lightly oiled skin for a smooth glide. You can follow the instructions that come with the tool or just start at the forehead and work downward.

Here are a few of my favorites:

🪄 Kansa Wand
This one’s great for the jawline and under-chin area. It’s easy to hold, glides smoothly, and gives just the right amount of pressure. I use it when my fingers feel tired or if I want a deeper massage. It also comes with oil, but any facial oil will work.

💎 Gua Sha
This flat tool is designed for face sculpting, and it works beautifully under the chin. Just be gentle and keep the strokes slow and downward.

🥣 Facial Cups
Facial cupping creates a gentle suction that stimulates circulation and lymph flow. It takes a little getting used to, but it can really help with puffiness—just don’t use too much pressure, use gentle suction and (always keep the cups gliding) to avoid irritation.

ABZ Tip: No matter what you use, always apply oil first so your skin doesn’t tug. And remember: gentle pressure works best. You’re helping your lymph system, not kneading dough!

How soon to see results

If your double chin is caused by fluid buildup, you might notice a difference after just one massage—especially if you’ve been feeling puffy.

For most people, it takes about 1–2 weeks of regular massage (3–5 times a week) to start seeing changes. The key is consistency.

Some see bigger improvements after a month or so—especially when combining massage with facial exercises or healthy habits like drinking more water and cutting back on salty foods.

You can even take before-and-after pictures every few weeks to track progress. Sometimes the change is gradual, but once you see it, it’s hard to unsee. 😉

Who it works best for

Lymphatic drainage massage works best for people dealing with facial puffiness, not necessarily fat. If your double chin looks worse after eating salty food, traveling, or sitting too long—it’s probably fluid buildup.

When Lymphatic Massage Might Help You:

• Your face or jawline feels a little puffy sometimes
• Your double chin seems to come and go
• You notice more swelling in the morning or after flying
• You want a natural way to refresh your look—no treatments required

This type of massage won’t remove fat, but it can help de-puff and sculpt your lower face—especially if you stay consistent. If you have a fuller face due to genetics or weight, this can still help improve circulation and reduce that heavy feeling under the chin, but results will be more subtle.

If you’re also doing facial exercises, this massage pairs perfectly—it helps clear fluid while the exercises tone the muscle.

Massage vs In-Office treatments

Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle, natural way to reduce puffiness and improve how your double chin area looks. But if your double chin is caused by fat or loose skin—not fluid—you might need more than massage to see a big difference.

In-office treatments like Kybella, CoolMini, or RF therapy are designed to target fat directly. They can work well for people who are already at a healthy weight but still have that stubborn pocket under the chin.

If you're dealing with sagging skin from aging or facial volume loss, tightening treatments or fillers might be more helpful.

The good news? You can combine approaches. Many women start with facial massage to reduce bloating and improve circulation, then add facial exercises or talk to a provider about other options if needed.

If you're not sure which category you fall into—or if you're looking for more ways to tackle a double chin naturally—check out my full guide here:
👉 How to Lose a Double Chin and Firm Your Lower Face

Takeaway:

This isn’t just another beauty routine—it’s a small act of self-care that can make a big difference over time. Chin-toning massage is gentle, simple, and surprisingly relaxing. You can do it while watching TV, winding down at night, or even sitting in bed.

It’s not about chasing perfection—it’s about helping your face feel a little lighter, less puffy, and more like you.

I’ve been doing this regularly, and it’s honestly helped me feel less bloated around my jawline. On days when my face feels heavy or off, this massage always helps me look and feel more refreshed.

If you try it, let me know how it goes—and don’t forget to check out my full guide for more double chin tips and tricks.

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