Lymphatic drainage after a facelift in Calgary

You were ready for the new face.

Maybe not for the puffy, bruised, slightly lopsided version that shows up first.

That’s swelling. It’s temporary. And it responds beautifully to a very light touch.

What’s happening in your body

Your head and neck hold more lymph nodes than almost anywhere else in the body: in front of the ears, under the jaw, along the sides of the neck and above the collarbones. A facelift or neck lift lifts the skin right over many of those pathways, so fluid pools in the cheeks, jawline, under the chin and around the eyes.

Facial drainage is its own specialty, and it takes a delicate, trained touch around the eyes, nose and mouth.

Facial MLD always clears the neck first, then uses slow, feather-light strokes to guide fluid down and away from the treated areas… never on the incisions, never pulling on lifted skin.

Your recovery timeline

When	What’s typical	How we support you
Days 1–3	Swelling and bruising peak. Tight, numb, puffy.	Head elevated. Cold as your surgeon directs.
Days 5–7	Swelling still obvious, bruising yellowing	First session, with surgeon clearance
Weeks 2–3	You start to look like yourself in photos	1–2 sessions per week
Weeks 3–6	Subtle puffiness, especially in the morning and along the jaw	Weekly or as needed. Home self-drainage.
Months 2–6	Final result settles, numbness fades	Scar and tension care once healed, if needed

Your Renu facial surgery plan

First session: often 5–7 days after surgery, once your surgeon clears you. Eyelid surgery and neck lifts follow a similar timeline. Rhinoplasty is often closer to 7–10 days, and we never work on the nose itself.

How many sessions? Most clients do well with 3–5 sessions over the first six weeks, often weekly or twice weekly at the start.

Home self-drainage. Facial swelling responds well to a simple daily routine. We’ll teach you a few gentle strokes to do at home between visits.

What a session feels like

You’ll rest on your back with your head slightly raised. We begin at the collarbones and sides of the neck, then move up to the face with a touch so light it barely moves the skin. Clean, gloved hands, no oils near incisions, nothing that tugs.

Most people find it deeply calming… and many see visibly less puffiness the same day.

What we will never do

• Work on incisions or pull on lifted skin

• Press on the eyes, nose or any area your surgeon has asked us to avoid

• Use facial tools, gua sha, cupping or heat on fresh tissue

• Treat through signs of infection or hematoma

At home between sessions

• Sleep with your head elevated as your surgeon recommends

• Cold compresses in the first few days only as your surgeon directs, then follow their guidance

• Wear your chin strap or facial garment if prescribed

• Avoid bending low, heavy lifting and hot showers on the face early on

• Go easy on salt, and stay hydrated

• Do your home drainage routine once you’ve been taught

Call your surgeon if…

• One side suddenly swells much more than the other, or becomes very firm and painful (possible hematoma)

• Fever over 38°C or chills

• Spreading redness, drainage, or an incision that opens

• Skin near an incision darkens or turns dusky

• New facial weakness or drooping, or changes in vision

Questions

What clients ask about this recovery

How soon after a facelift can I have lymphatic drainage?

Usually 5–7 days after surgery, with your surgeon’s approval.

Will lymphatic drainage loosen my facelift?

No. MLD is extremely light and moves only the surface fluid layer. We avoid the incisions and never pull on the lifted skin.

How long does swelling last after a facelift?

Most visible swelling settles over a few weeks, but subtle swelling can take several months to fully resolve.

Do you offer drainage after eyelid surgery or rhinoplasty?

Yes, with surgeon clearance. We work around the eyes and nose, not on them.

Can I do lymphatic drainage on my own face at home?

Yes, once you’ve been shown how. Gentle self-drainage between sessions can help, as long as it’s light and avoids incisions.

Can I get a lymphatic facial instead?

Not in the early weeks. A medical post-op drainage session is gentler and more targeted. Once you’re fully healed, our lymphatic facials are a lovely way to maintain.

Page reviewed September 29, 2026 by Meeghan Mackenzie, RMT, CLT