‘If it’s good enough for Hailey Bieber, it’s good enough for me’: Trying the celeb-approved wellness treatment
Updated . First published
Lymphatic drainage has been part of the wellness space for a while, but has recently re-entered the mainstream after Hailey Bieber gave it her seal of approval.
For those who’ve heard the term bandied around but still don’t quite understand what it is, a lymphatic drainage massage is a natural but specialised gentle massage technique designed to help move excess fluid and waste products away from body tissues and back into the bloodstream.
Lymphatic drainage has been part of the wellness space for a while - so I gave it a try. Siena Hocking
You might also be familiar with the DIY at-home treatment, using an unassuming silicone sucky tool – when one landed on my desk, it took me a little longer than I care to admit figuring out what it was.
Curious to know more about the popular wellness treatment, I went to The Parlour Room in Redfern to try out a Lymphatic Sculpting Body Massage in the flesh.
Admittedly, I was a little apprehensive; I prefer a thorough, elbow-grease type sports massage, but I was keen to understand the benefits of a gentler, more holistic approach.
The road test
I was led into a dimly lit treatment room where the therapist explained the massage is designed to help de-puff, de-bloat and contour the body. First, she dry-brushed my skin to physically exfoliate and temporarily boost circulation, then applied Biotyspa’s iconic Firming Body Oil, which felt soft and lightweight on my skin and smelled gorgeously warm, nutty and citrusy.
The blend of organic oils has been designed to restore the skin’s softness and elasticity by encouraging lipolysis (the breakdown of fats) and supporting the lymphatic drainage of fluid, helping reduce the appearance of cellulite. I’m always a little sceptical of beauty that conveniently ‘breaks down’ fats or cellulite, but I remained open-minded.
After a generous oiling, the ritual began with gentle rhythmic pumping and soft sweeping motions over key lymph node areas such as the neck, underarms and abdomen to prep the body.
I went to The Parlour Room in Redfern to try out a Lymphatic Sculpting Body Massage. Siena Hocking
Then the therapist applied soft, repetitive pressure alongside palper rouler (“pinch and roll”) movements to create a pathway that encourages fluid to move more efficiently through the body. She then incorporated a cupping device using upward strokes to help contour the stomach, legs, arms, smooth the look of skin, and further stimulate drainage.
And for anyone who has had cupping during a sports massage, this is a much softer experience, with no residual bruise-like marks.
After coming out of my 60-minute slumber, I stared the mirror and assessed whether I looked less puffy and more toned. I resolved that I did, feeling lighter, but could the flatteringly dark lighting of the room also be at play? Either way, I sipped a post-treatment herbal tea, feeling deeply relaxed and rejuvenated.
Why does lymphatic drainage do?
To learn more about the process behind the treatment, nine.com.au spoke with the founder of the Australian-made, French-founded skincare and wellness brand Biotyspa, Deborah Levy, whose mantra is that the lymphatic system is one of the body's most important yet often overlooked systems.
A lymphatic drainage massage is a natural but specialised gentle massage technique. iStock
“By encouraging the movement of lymphatic fluid, it helps reduce temporary fluid retention and puffiness, supports the body's natural waste removal processes, and promotes healthy circulation,” she says.
The massage is relaxing and methodical rather than forceful, with every movement designed to support the body's natural drainage pathways and leave the body feeling lighter, less puffy, and more energised.
Why is it so popular right now?
From Hailey Bieber to Jennifer Aniston to Kim Kardashian, all the celebrities are getting their fix. Levy has seen a shift in the wellness world from reactive beauty to proactive wellness, and people want treatments that will make them look better while supporting how they feel.
We are paying more attention to how everyday things like travel, long hours, a sedentary lifestyle and stress can all contribute to temporary fluid retention – or bloating and puffiness, as we’d see it – and looking for simple, non-invasive ways to alleviate it. And social media has made the results impossible to ignore.
“People see immediate changes in facial puffiness, body contour and skin appearance after treatments, which has created enormous curiosity,” says Levy. Aesthetics, beauty, wellness, and recovery are becoming increasingly connected, she adds, and lymphatic drainage sits right at the intersection of them all.
A herbal tea is supposed to hydrate and replenish the body. Siena Hocking
What are the benefits?
Levy says while lymphatic drainage isn’t a medical treatment or cure, it can be a valuable part of an overall wellness routine that supports the body’s natural functions.
With consistent lymphatic support as part of a healthy lifestyle, people may experience ongoing improvements in fluid balance, circulation, recovery after travel or exercise, and reduced feelings of heaviness or bloating, she says.
People are willing to invest in skincare, exercise, and nutrition, as consistency delivers results. Levy believes lymphatic care should be viewed in the same way. It’s a gentle, non-invasive way to support the body's natural processes while delivering visible cosmetic benefits that many people notice immediately, she says.
“The biggest misconception is that it needs to be an occasional luxury treatment,” she says.
“While professional treatments are incredibly beneficial, regular lymphatic activation at home between appointments is what helps people maintain those results over time.”
Whether you’re partial to a little indulgence or a simple at-home treatment, lymphatic drainage massage could be worth a try.
