5 Dermatologist-Approved Tips To De-Puff Your Face Fast

Well, TikTok has done it again.

You may have noticed a new, slightly befuddling step in your favorite influencer’s GRWM videos as of late, and it involves wrapping a rubber band around their ears. The latest in a seemingly never-ending series of so-weird-it-might-work beauty hacks is grounded in the idea that light pressure around the ears can stimulate lymphatic drainage to help flush out fluid and de-puff your face into sculpted, supermodel territory—without so much as a gua sha or serum.

Like many a social media trend, the rubber band trick is actually based on a centuries-old wellness concept, albeit a dramatic oversimplification. The oddball hack—which, depending on which side of the algorithm you’ve fallen upon, either looks like a DIY facelift or a middle school science project gone very wrong—traces back to Korean beauty, where facial massage and acupressure have long been used to promote lymphatic flow and deliver slimmer and tightened visages.

To this day, many Korean facialists incorporate gentle rubber tools and tension-based techniques into their treatments to target swelling, or puffiness, around the jawline and cheeks. However, TikTok, in typical TikTok fashion, has commandeered that time-honored practice and run wild, with some users even stretching rubber bands across their entire heads in pursuit of an instant contour.

Unsurprisingly, many experts aren’t on board. “Skip it!” advises Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut. “This has more chance of risk than benefit since the pressure from the rubber brand could actually restrict blood flow and reduce circulation or can cause irritation and excessive tugging on the delicate skin around the ears.”

Meet the experts: Deanne Mraz, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut. Jacqueline Watchmaker, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Still, the desire to start your day less puffy and more sculpted is widespread—I mean, who among us doesn’t dread the facial bloat that comes with traveling, drinking, or even too little sleep? Luckily, not all hope is lost: there are in fact many ways to visually trim the face and reduce swelling—without risking circulation loss or injured skin. Read on for the tried-and-true, dermatologist-backed de-puffing methods that really work (and won’t leave an indentation across your forehead).

1. Lymphatic drainage massage

Lymphatic drainage has become somewhat of a buzzword in recent years, but the massage technique is actually rooted in medicine. By gently massaging the face, especially around the lymph nodes, you can encourage movement of lymph fluids—the fluid that carries waste and toxins—out of your face and into the body’s natural detox pathways. This can help reduce swelling, boost circulation, and even give your cheekbones a nice, little lift.

You can also use tools and topical products to enhance this process. “Facial massage (manually or with a Gua Sha stone) can be effective at moving stagnant lymph,” Dr. Mraz explains. “There are also products for the eye area formulated to reduce puffiness—the hero ingredient being caffeine, which has vasoconstrictive properties to improve circulation and support the body’s natural process of moving lymph.” Of course, like anything, technique matters hugely, as does consistency. Lymphatic drainage massage can be a great means for temporary depuffing and maintenance, but it’s not a miracle fix.

2. Getting a good night’s sleep

“Most of the time, puffiness is simply the result of lymphatic fluid building up around the face,” Dr. Mraz says. “This can happen for a few reasons — like how you sleep, what you eat or drink, or even after a good cry.” When you’re sleep-deprived, your body retains more fluid, especially in the face, but even the position you sleep in can lead to bloating. “I often see asymmetric facial puffiness from the way people sleep,” notes Jacqueline Watchmaker, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Typically, the side of the face they sleep on is puffier than the other side due to blocked lymphatic flow.” In addition to getting a full seven to nine hours of uninterrupted beauty sleep, she recommends sleeping on your back instead of your face and elevating your head.

3. Cold compresses and tools

There’s certainly no shortage of beauty tools on the market these days, and it can often feel overwhelming to navigate, but some can make a real, noticeable difference in your appearance. While gua shas are a popular and reliable tool for sculpting or getting in on the facial yoga trend, incorporating cold temperatures into your skincare routine can also prove extremely helpful since it constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling. “I love using cooled eye and face masks at home,” says Dr. Watchmaker. “I tell my patients to keep them in the freezer for an extra boost of cooling comfort”

She also suggests her patients keep their gua sha stones in the freezer, so they’re cold when they use them. While the results are temporary, using cold on your face is a wonderful hack before an event, photo op, or even date.

4. In-office treatments

When at-home methods simply aren’t cutting it and it’s time to bring in the big guns, there are a variety of in-office options that can offer longer-lasting contouring. “A facial done by a skilled provider can drastically improve skin puffiness by moving stagnant lymphatic fluid that has collected in this area,” says Dr. Mraz. “This can be done by hand, with a gua aha tool, or with a device like the HydraFacial.”

For persistent swelling, especially around the eyes, Dr. Mraz loves skin tightening treatments like radiofrequency micro-needling, which provides a thermal and mechanical injury to help reduce the amount of edema in a non-surgical manner. Radiofrequency and ultrasound therapies, like Sculpt&Shape, Sofwave, and Ultherapy can also help tighten and tone, with minimal downtime or side effects.

5. Decrease inflammation from the inside out

More often than not, facial puffiness can be chalked up to lifestyle factors. Obviously, sleep (or lack thereof) can be a huge contributor, but alcohol and salt intake, exercise, and even certain medications can also play a sizable role.

When it comes to diet, it’s important to focus on anti-inflammatory foods, like berries, turmeric, and leafy greens, and always, always, always stay hydrated. Ironically, when your body is holding onto fluid, it’s often because you’re not drinking enough water. “Sometimes, puffiness shows up because of a skin reaction (like dermatitis) or a dietary sensitivity that’s triggering inflammation in the body, so if you notice your facial puffiness coming along with other symptoms, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor to make sure there’s nothing more serious going on,” Dr. Mraz says. “There are some medications, such as corticosteroids and some seizure medications, that are known to cause a swollen appearance as well, so it’s good to be cognizant of this if you’re taking any of these drugs.”

The bottom line

When it comes to your face, it’s safe to say rubber bands—and any other office supplies—are best left out of it. But the good news is there are plenty of other smarter, safer, and more effective ways to fight off puffiness and sculpt your face, whether it’s a quick ice-down with cryo sticks, an intense lymphatic drainage massage, a radiofrequency treatment with your dermatologist, or simply a better night’s sleep.

So, go forth, stay hydrated, and kiss the puff goodbye.