The reality behind the Met Gala’s favorite "detox" treatment

Are you someone who is absolutely starstruck by this year’s Met Gala looks and wonders how these celebrities look so perfect each time they walk down that exquisite red carpet? Well, for most modern celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Nicole Kidman, or Jennifer Aniston, their pre-red-carpet non-negotiables include "lymphatic drainage," which is one of their go-to treatments right before any big event. Here’s all you need to know about this viral de-bloating treatment.


The lymphatic drainage treatment
This treatment has become a staple for the rich and famous before major events like the Met Gala to "de-bloat" and "detoxify" the body, with some treatments costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, health experts reveal that while the gentle massage is highly relaxing, its popular claims of boosting detoxification and curing everyday "puffiness" do not align with clinical evidence.

Manual lymphatic drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage started a time ago, in the 1850s. It was made to help people with lymphedema. This is a condition where the lymphatic system does not work right. It causes the body to hold much fluid and swell up, usually in the arms or legs.


How is it done?
There are many ways in which the body can de-bloat itself and reduce inflammation, but this technique is different from massages; it needs a gentle touch. The person doing the massage uses motions on the lymph nodes. They have to be careful not to press hard; if they press hard, it can block the flow. So, they keep the pressure light; this helps the fluid move under the skin. Where they treat swelling, the proof that this massage works is not very strong. Experts say it only works well when it is used with treatments like special clothes that squeeze the body.


The idea that it cleans your body?
Some people say that lymphatic drainage massages can clean your body. This is not true; there is no proof that it does this. Your liver and kidneys are what clean your body, not a massage.


How does the body clean itself?
If your lymphatic system is working right, it can move fluids and clean out things on its own. For people with a system, this massage does not do anything special that a regular massage would not do.


Sports medicine claims
While some athletes and sports medicine circles discuss the potential benefits of these massages for recovery, a 2009 review published in The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy found the evidence to be entirely limited and inconclusive.


The rise of "sculpting" treatments
Because high-paying clients want to look and feel their best for special occasions, high-end spas have evolved the practice. Spas like Venustus in Sydney now blend traditional clinical drainage with high-definition "sculpting" methods to meet celebrity demands.


Why do people feel "de-bloated"?
The physical lightness and renewed energy people experience post-massage aren't from an altered lymphatic system. Instead, these feelings are the natural result of lying in a deeply relaxing environment that encourages rest, deep breathing, and hydration.