Lymphatic massage is indicated in facelift clients with a history of minimally invasive treatments (MIT)

In the article 'Optimizing Aesthetic Facial Surgery Outcomes Following Minimally Invasive Treatments: Guidelines for Perioperative Management,' an expert panel of 7 plastic surgeons and 1 dermatologist stated that "patients with previous MITs can be candidates for facelift surgery if perioperative strategies are followed to mitigate risks associated with plane distortion and vascular compromise."

The authors share that "prolonged postoperative swelling, attributable to lymphatic blockage caused by fillers, has also been observed in patients who have received multiple injectable treatments."

The panel stated that "lymphatic massage may also have beneficial effects on the arteriovenous system, increasing peripheral arterial blood flow through superficial or skin circulation. Lymphatic massage has thus been incorporated into the postoperative recovery for various cosmetic procedures and is recommended by the authors for patients with a history of MITs, prolonged edema, and vascular compromise"

Shridharani, S. M., Palm, M. D., Jarmuz, T., Somenek, M., Nayak, L. M., Saadat, D., ... & Sykes, J. (2025). Optimizing Aesthetic Facial Surgery Outcomes Following Minimally Invasive Treatments: Guidelines for Perioperative Management. In Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum (Vol. 7, p. ojaf087). US: Oxford University Press.

https://academic.oup.com/asjopenforum/article/doi/10.1093/asjof/ojaf087/8186242