The Viral Treatment That Left Me Sculpted, Less Puffy and Feeling Like Myself Again

I’m not going to lie, April threw me off a bit. There were a lot of moving parts, I was feeling run down, then got sick, which properly wiped me out.

It was a reminder to put my health first. Because if you don’t have your health, you don’t really have anything. So there I was, four months into the year, recovering from something that had been lingering around the community.

I decided to double down on my health, which meant slowing down, looking after myself, and getting back into my wellness routine. My version of self-care is pretty simple. It comes down to a good facial, new skincare, quiet days at home, walks with my dog along the river, lots of fresh fruit from the markets, phone-free days when I’m not working, getting out into nature… and just taking it easy.

But when the opportunity came up to try Brazilian lymphatic drainage, I had to give it a go. I’d seen it everywhere, all over socials, and kept hearing how good it is for bloating and fluid retention, so I wanted to see if it actually lived up to the hype.

After travelling in late March and then getting sick off the back of it, I just felt… off. Puffy, sluggish, not quite myself. I’d done the usual, infrared sauna after my flight, a run to sweat everything out, but I felt like I needed something deeper and more targeted to actually shift the fluid in my body. So naturally, I booked in.

I met with the lovely Ellen at Divine Glow Beauty, who’s a native Brazilian and specialises in Brazilian lymphatic drainage, based at Salon Lane in Teneriffe on Commercial Road (parking is surprisingly easy, which always helps). The setup feels similar to a regular massage, but the technique is a bit different. That said, it’s still 60 minutes of pure zen — switching off, lying there, and having no choice but to be completely present in the moment, which, honestly, I needed. And if you’re like me, you’ll probably drift off at some point.

So… what actually is Brazilian lymphatic drainage?

It’s a massage technique designed to stimulate your lymphatic system, basically the part of your body that helps get rid of excess fluid, toxins and waste. The movements are rhythmic and quite specific, helping move fluid through the body so you feel less puffy and a bit lighter overall.

What’s actually happening during the treatment?

Even though it feels gentle, it’s very targeted. The movements follow your lymphatic pathways and push fluid towards your lymph nodes, where your body can process and filter it. It helps reduce that congested, bloated feeling and gets everything moving again.

Why is the Brazilian version different?

The Brazilian technique is more dynamic and sculpting compared to traditional lymphatic massage. It’s still gentle, but there’s more of a contouring element, so you can actually see a difference, not just feel one.

Why is everyone suddenly doing this?

Because if it makes you feel better, why wouldn’t you? Travel, stress, sitting all day, inflammation, it all builds up in our systems. This is one of those treatments that hits both sides: you feel better, and you look a bit more snatched. (If you’re unsure, it’s always best to check in with a professional first.)

Does it actually work?

Short answer: yes. I noticed a difference straight after. My body looked leaner and more refined, flat stomach included. Less puffy, more defined, and just lighter overall. It’s not permanent from one session, but it definitely does something if you’re after a quick reset.

It also continues working in the hours after. You’ll probably find yourself making a few extra trips to the loo, completely normal, and you can feel your body flushing everything out in a natural way.

Who should try it?

Honestly, everyone. If you’re feeling bloated, holding fluid, constantly on the go, sitting all day, or just not feeling quite right, it’s definitely worth trying. It’s also great before events or after flights when you need a bit of a reset.

How do you keep the results?

Pretty simple. Drink water, go for a walk, get good sleep, eat well. Nothing extreme, just supporting your body so it keeps doing what it’s meant to do.

My honest thoughts

If you’re feeling puffy, run down, or just not quite yourself, I’d recommend trying lymphatic drainage, especially the Brazilian style. For me, it wasn’t dramatic, but it was noticeable. I felt lighter, less bloated, and more like myself again.

I’d definitely do it again. In fact, I’ll probably add it into my routine and book in monthly to keep up the effects.

If you want to try it for yourself, you can reach out to Ellen to ask any questions or book in. She’ll tailor it to you, which makes all the difference.