Lymphatic drainage massage trends face skepticism over social media accuracy

A growing beauty trend on social media involves lymphatic drainage massage, a medical technique adapted for aesthetic purposes. Influencers like Abbey Alexandra use body oil and wooden rollers to claim they can ‘depuff’ the abdomen, achieve a ‘snatched waist,’ and create ‘sculpted abs.’ The trend has gained celebrity traction, with figures such as Maya Jama and Hailey Bieber endorsing the practice.

However, experts urge skepticism regarding the before-and-after videos frequently seen on platforms like TikTok. Dr. Ella Guest, a health psychologist at the University of the West of England, notes that the visual results shown in these videos may be deceptive. She suggests that the perceived physical changes could be the result of photo-editing tools, filters, specific posing, lighting adjustments, or even AI-generated imagery designed to align with unrealistic beauty standards.