Beauty Skin-Care Tips

I Jade Rolled My Whole Body, and It Was Better Than Any Massage

Zoe Weiner

May 20, 2019

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Photo: Well+Good Creative

My jade rolling routine is the highlight of my day. I pull it out of the freezer, throw on an episode of Paradise Hotel, and get to work ridding my face of whatever puffiness it has. Not only do I think it works like a charm (I have before and after photos that would blow your mind, if you're interested), but it’s a luxurious experience that has become an integral part of my self-care routine. So, when I found out that there was a full-body jade roller, meant to help with lymphatic drainage, I cancelled literally all of my plans and made a self-care appointment with myself to test it out.

Before I treated myself to a full body roll-down, I checked in with board certified dermatologist Lily Talakoub, MD of McLean Dermatology and Skincare to find out if the practice was legit. Her answer? An enthusiastic: "Yes!" We already know that jade rolling is purported to increase circulation and lymphatic drainage on your face, and Dr. Talakoub confirmed that it can have the same effects on your body—as long as you do it the right way. "If you feel bloated or feel like there are areas of the body where you retain fluid, like your legs, your lower belly, your jowls, the jade roller can work like a lymphatic massage," she says. "The correct method is to follow the lymphatic channels, moving down in the linear pattern—never moving up—which can help increase the lymphatic flow out of the system and increase circulation while decreasing fluid retention."

The Esker Body Jade Roller ($65) is slightly larger than the one I use on my face, and coated in small ridges. According to the brand's founder Shannon Davenport, the texture helps to relieve tension (a la a gua sha tool) and brighten the skin. She suggests pairing the all-over roller with a body oil or lotion to help increase absorption.

On one very bloated and hungover Sunday morning, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to take my full-body jade roller for a literal spin. I used a little bit of body oil, and starting from the top of my neck rolled down to my shoulders using light pressure. The ridges made the experience slightly more intense than when I use my regular roller, in a good way. Then, I moved it down to my stomach, hips, and thighs where I was feeling extra bloated due to water retention (thanks, rosé). I rolled in a linear pattern, per Dr. Talakoub's advice, and not only did it feel ah-mah-zing, but after 10 very committed minutes I could see a slight difference.

So, now I officially have another rolling routine to permanently add to my nightly self-care ritual. Thankfully Paradise Hotel has a 24-hour live feed.

Jade rolling isn't the only full body treatment I've tried for the sake of glowing skin: Here's what happened when I orgasmed my way to better skin. And this is the lymphatic facial that celebs love.