Should You Try Lymphatic Drainage Ahead of Your Wedding?

In years past, a bride’s pre-wedding beauty routine typically consisted of a skincare regime, in addition to hair and nail maintenance a few weeks before the big day. Nowadays, given the steady increase in “tweakments” and wholistic treatments, the bridal beauty world has transcended far beyond nails, hair, skin, and makeup. From VI peels to Botox and teeth whitening, brides now have the ability to customize their pre-wedding regime to suit their needs ahead of walking down the aisle. And if you’ve been staying up to date on the latest trends, you’ve probably come across one treatment that continues to take the world by storm: lymphatic drainage.

In general, “A lymphatic massage is a bodywork technique that stimulates the lymphatic system with intentional strokes and movements,” shares Courtney Yeager, CEO and co-founder of The Tox, a Los Ageles-based studio specializing in lymphatic drainage and full body detoxes. “These movements and precise activations of your lymph nodes help move waste to our nodes in order to process and rid your body of excess water retention, bloating, toxins, and waste.”

But while this treatment has a slew of benefits for those looking for a non-invasive detox "procedure", is it something that brides should consider ahead of their wedding? Better yet, is it safe to even try out at all? Ahead, Yeager helps answer these questions, in addition to providing the most optimal pre-wedding lymphatic draining timeline. Read on to learn more. 

Should You Try Lymphatic Drainage Ahead of Your Wedding Day?

In short, yes, there’s no harm in trying lymphatic drainage ahead of saying “I do.” In fact, it’s recommended if you’re looking for ways to prep your body for a weekend of dancing, eating, and drinking. Research also shows that this treatment can help relieve pain and inflammation depending on your specific personal and medical needs.

As noted above by Yeager, lymphatic drainage, also known as a lymphatic drainage massage, is a non-invasive treatment that focuses on lymphatic-based movements (similar to the stroke-like movements felt during a massage) to rid the body of excess water, toxins, and waste. This includes working with your entire body (including your face and neck), in order to help improve circulation and manually clear lymphatic fluid through your lymph nodes which are located in your groin, armpits, and neck.

"Our lymphatic system is referred to as our waste management system,” she adds. “By ridding your body of this waste, you can expect your full body functions to work the way they are supposed to. Less bloating, better digestion, boosted immune system, balanced hormones, and increased metabolism are some of the main benefits we love to highlight. The benefits are endless."

The best part? It’s extremely safe, though there are side effects associated with this treatment, such as headaches, body aches, and fatigue being the most common reactions. “This may happen as your body is releasing toxins. After your first one to two sessions, it’s rare we see these side effects,” explains Yeager. Therefore, with this in mind, be sure to check in with your doctor before trying lymphatic drainage if you have any pre-existing health conditions.

When to Get a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

As with every pre-wedding treatment, timing your beauty appointments is essential to getting the best results and ensuring that you aren’t surprised by any last-minute reactions. That’s why Yeager advises brides to start several weeks ahead of the big day if getting a lymphatic drainage massage for the first time. “I would never recommend a bride to come in for a treatment for the first time within two weeks of their big day,” she adds. “If you have the time to plan it out, we suggest 90 days prior to starting your lymphatic treatments and space them out every two to three weeks. The week of your wedding, you should definitely aim to do two sessions.”

However, for those who aren’t able to get a lymphatic drainage massage well ahead of tying the knot, Yeager does note that you can start a little closer to your wedding date, but does recommend that you begin at least three weeks in advance. If you can’t make an appointment that early, it's probably best to skip this treatment and consider at-home methods like dry brushing or gua sha. 

So for those considering taking the plunging and trying out lymphatic drainage prior to marrying the love of their life, go for it! You’ll feel refreshed and lighter, and will be glad to have cleansed and detoxed your body before starting your new life chapter.