Lymphatics & Acne
Why lymphatic drainage is essential for clear skin.
Your lymphatic vessels move fluids, cellular wastes, and toxins through your body. Since your lymph is made up mostly of water, think of your lymphatic channels as little rivers running through your body. The ‘rivers’ pick up wastes and toxins to be metabolized and eliminated by your liver and kidneys.
Since lymphatic flow is passive and not actively “pumped” like your blood circulation, your lymphatic system requires movement and stimulation in order to function. When the lymphatic ‘rivers’ of the body become blocked due to factors like muscle tension, tight clothing, a sedentary lifestyle, injury, or inflammation, you can imagine them as a stagnant pond below the skin rather than a clean-flowing river. Stagnant lymph can then lead to symptoms, like acne and other skin concerns.
Lymphatic acne is typically deep or cystic, and often appears on the jawline, neck, and around the ears. It may be one-sided and spots typically recur and take awhile to heal. It can also present as clogged pores along and under the jawline and near the ears.
Thank you for reading!
This article of the Skinsider Scoop was graciously written by Holistic Acne Doctor, Shannon Curtis, and edited by the Clean Skin Club team. If you're interested in more from Shannon, please shoot us an email, and follow her Instagram @dr.shannoncurtis