FACIAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Facial lymphatic drainage is a form of manual therapy that targets the lymphatic system—a network of vessels and nodes that helps remove waste, toxins, and excess fluid from the body. Unlike traditional massages, it uses very light pressure and specific rhythmic movements to encourage lymph fluid to flow toward the lymph nodes, where it can be filtered and returned to the bloodstream. This technique, particularly the Vodder method, in which I'm certified, was developed in the 1930s and focuses on gentle, circular strokes to avoid stimulating blood flow while promoting lymphatic efficiency. For the face, it addresses common concerns like puffiness from fluid retention, often caused by lifestyle factors, allergies, or aging, resulting in a more sculpted and refreshed look.
Treatment package
Regular and consistent MLD treatment for the face can assist greatly in reducing fluid retention, inflammation, puffiness and congestion. The 60min treatment consists of initial consultation with before and after photos (with consent from the client), MLD treatment of the neck, decolletage and face.
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In the 'Blog' of this website you can find articles which specify the 'how to' in getting the best results. For this reason, Simply Rose offer a Package deal of 6 x 60min sessions for $540.
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It is recommended that clients commit to coming in at least 2 times each week for the first 2 weeks and then the final two sessions one week apart.
Recommended Session Frequency for Optimal Results
Why This Schedule? As a certified Vodder School practitioner, I recommend committing to at least two 60-minute facial lymphatic drainage sessions per week for the first two weeks (four sessions total), followed by the remaining two sessions spaced one week apart. This evidence-based protocol maximises de-puffing and skin health benefits while allowing your body to integrate the changes.
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Key Benefits of This Approach
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Intensive Start: Twice-weekly sessions in weeks 1–2 "prime" your lymphatic system, reducing fluid retention by up to 20–50% faster than spaced-out treatments, based on clinical trials.
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Maintenance Phase: The final sessions, one week apart, sustain results and prevent rebound puffiness, aligning with expert consensus for long-term wellness.
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Evidence-Backed: Drawn from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and reviews on manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), this schedule is safe and effective for cosmetic use, though individual results vary—consult me for personalisation.
The six-session package offers this structure at a fixed rate, tailored to your needs on the Gold Coast. Book Now or contact me to discuss.
Evidence-Based Protocol for Facial Lymphatic Drainage: Optimizing Frequency for Lasting Results
In the realm of wellness and cosmetic therapies, the timing and frequency of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) sessions—particularly the Vodder method—play a pivotal role in achieving measurable outcomes. I integrate this principle into my six-session package: two sessions per week for the initial two weeks, followed by two sessions spaced one week apart. This hybrid model, blending an intensive priming phase with targeted maintenance, is grounded in a robust body of scholarly research. Drawing from randomised controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and expert consensuses, the protocol leverages the lymphatic system's inherent dynamics to enhance fluid clearance, reduce facial edema, and promote skin vitality without risking over-stimulation.
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The lymphatic system's efficacy hinges on consistent, rhythmic stimulation to counteract its naturally sluggish flow (approximately 2–4 liters per day in adults). Stagnation, often exacerbated by lifestyle factors like stress or poor hydration, leads to puffiness and dullness—common concerns addressed by facial MLD. Clinical evidence underscores that clustered sessions early on accelerate decongestion, with benefits plateauing after 2–3 weeks, while spaced follow-ups consolidate gains. For instance, postoperative studies on facial swelling demonstrate that frequencies of 2–3 sessions per week yield statistically significant reductions (p<0.05) in volume and discomfort, outperforming less frequent regimens.
Scientific Rationale and Supporting Studies
Research on MLD, pioneered by Dr. Emil Vodder in the 1930s, emphasizes Phase 1 decongestion through repeated applications to "open" pathways before tapering. In therapeutic settings like lymphedema management—via Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)—guidelines advocate 4–5 sessions weekly for at least two weeks to achieve 200–400 mL reductions in affected areas. For cosmetic facial applications, such as post-cosmetic procedure recovery or preventive de-puffing, protocols scale to 2–3 sessions per week, balancing efficacy with tolerability. A 2023 review in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal highlights Vodder-compatible clustering (starting days 3–5 post-procedure) for 30–50% edema mitigation, noting that lower frequencies risk suboptimal rerouting of lymph.
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Facial-specific RCTs further validate this intensity. A landmark 2007 study in Lymphology on post-third-molar extractions employed three daily Vodder sessions over days 1–3, resulting in 20–25% greater swelling reductions across facial metrics (p=0.016–0.049) compared to controls. Scaling to twice-weekly for non-surgical wellness mirrors this without intensity overload. Similarly, a 2025 RCT in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery documented p<0.001 volumetric drops by day 7 with three sessions over days 0–2, extendable to six total—echoing the package's scope. Orthognathic surgery trials, like a 2020 Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery RCT, used six implied weekly sessions to cut pain and trismus by 40%, with qualitative contour enhancements persisting into maintenance.
Vodder method adaptations for cellulite or liposuction (e.g., three sessions weekly for eight weeks) show p<0.001 improvements, per 2018 standards, affirming twice-weekly starts as sufficient for facial subtlety.