Abbey Alexandra
If she’s ever feeling bloated, Abbey Alexandra has a go-to routine, using body oil and a wooden roller to perform stomach massages.
The 31-year-old from Birmingham shares before-and-after videos on TikTok, saying she feels the process leaves her depuffed and defined: “You definitely feel a lot better after, they are relaxing.”
The technique is a form of lymphatic drainage massage, adapted from a medical treatment and shared as a beauty trend. Celebrity fans include Maya Jama, who shares her clinic sessions, and actress Hailey Bieber, who told Time magazine: “I swear by them.”
Whether there is a physical change – or any need for one – is debatable, but fans of the massages claim they help “flatten” and “debloat” and give a “snatched waist” and “sculpted abs”. But what’s
Abbey Alexandra
Then begins the methodical massage in circular motions seemingly draining fluid away. By the end, her stomach appears flatter – if a little red.
But social media body trends should always be viewed with scepticism, says Dr Ella Guest, senior research fellow and health psychologist at the Centre for Appearance Research based at the University of the West of England.
“These images might be altered using photo-editing tools or filters, people standing in particular poses, use of lighting, lots could even be AI-generated,” she says.
“I think stopping to reflect on what you see and questioning whether it looks realistic, or if it’s very aligned with beauty standards, can be useful. Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps fight infection and remove excess fluid, according to the NHS.
