I Tried the Sculpting Massage Loved By Dua Lipa and Shay Mitchell - POPSUGAR

[Shawna Hudson]

PS Photography | Shawna Hudson
PS Photography | Shawna Hudson

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I have a confession to make: I've never liked dry brushing. Although experts cite a litany of health benefits it can provide, dry brushing always seemed like an extra step, and my inner lazy girl craves simplicity. One of its main effects is promoting lymphatic drainage — something I've never paid much attention to. However, once I met aesthetician and lymphatic drainage massage therapist Flavia Lanini, I realized how powerful lymphatic drainage can be.

To say Lanini is an expert in her field is an understatement: her celebrity clientele list includes everyone from Dua Lipa and Shay Mitchell to Lily Aldridge, Tessa Thompson, and Kiernan Shipka. Lanini's the one to see for a full body depuff and sculpt before any major red-carpet event.

When I met her for my lymphatic drainage appointment, Lanini emphasized the importance of regular lymphatic treatments with a therapist and at-home maintenance. Her signature treatment is called The Effect, and she says clients may have more contours in some regions of the body afterward: legs can appear more toned, the stomach area can appear flatter, and so on.

I tried both of Lanini's major treatments, The Effect and The Detox Effect (a longer and slightly more gut-focused version), over a weekend. Not sure what a lymphatic drainage treatment is or what it entails? Don't worry; I'm sharing everything about the process and my results with the treatments below.

Experts Featured in This Article​

Flavia Lanini is the aesthetician, founder, and CEO of Flavia Lanini in Los Angeles, CA.

What Is Lymphatic Drainage and Why Is It Important?​

There are plenty of wellness tips around the digestive and overall immune system, but maintaining the health of the lymphatic system is sometimes overlooked. If you aren't familiar with exactly what the lymphatic system does, Lanini explains that it's a network of organs, muscles, and tissue that move a fluid-like substance (lymph) into your bloodstream. "The lymphatic system is a circulatory system in our bodies that runs parallel to the vascular system (arteries, veins, and capillaries)," Lanini tells PS. "It carries lymphatic fluid (mostly water) that is critical in eliminating waste products, fighting bacteria, promoting healing of normal wear and tear (including aging-related slowdowns), and is the main system that maintains the right balance in the continuously changing water requirements of our bodies."

If the lymphatic system runs into any issues, it'll stress the entire body. Lanini says that promoting the health of the lymphatic system is crucial to minimize stress on the body, so it can help other body systems continue to function normally.

PS Photography | Shawna Hudson

My Experience With the Celebrity-Loved Lymphatic Drainage Treatment​

To try out this celeb-loved treatment, I visited Lanini at her Beverly Hills studio. The Effect massage lasts a little over an hour and is tailored to a client's specific needs, combining lymphatic drainage, shaping, and contouring. Lanini utilizes products from her native country of Brazil. She loves Nativa Spa products because they smell amazing and contain native ingredients (like quinoa oil) that firm the skin. All treatments offered at her studio feature the Nativa Spa Quinoa Firming Body Lotion ($26) and Nativa Spa Quinoa Hydrating Body Oil ($28), including The Effect and the Detox Effect.











I removed everything I was wearing, like you do for a regular massage, and was provided with disposable underwear to wear. During treatment, Lanini used rolling pressure and massage techniques with her hands to help move the lymphatic fluid in my body. I could tell that it's not just your average massage — I could actually feel the lymph moving along certain areas. "It's a combination of complementary steps from different schools of thought in massage principles, resulting in precise and deeper movements," Lanini says. "These spur the release of abnormal tissue adherence, increasing metabolism and bringing a contouring effect."

When Lanini reached my stomach area, she could immediately tell that I was struggling with my gut health. She recommended I come in for a second treatment a few days later — her Detox Effect treatment, which lasts around two hours and is more focused on gut health. The Detox Effect also includes lymphatic massage with the additional use of a lipolysis machine on the stomach area with a clay detox in the sauna. Lanini says it's great for weight loss and helps promote long-term gut health.

After the treatments, I felt the most immediate effects in my legs, arms, and stomach area.

Lanini also sent me home with a cup of her antioxidant-packed Delbo Tea ($59), which tastes great and is supposed to aid in the detox process.

My Lymphatic Drainage Massage Results​

After receiving The Effect treatment, I started to notice a detox occurring. My throat felt a little sore the next day, but I knew that was positive. It meant that the treatment did its job, and toxins were moving out of my body. During the treatment, Lanini also showed me the difference between my left and right leg after she performed the massage on the left. It immediately appeared slimmer in comparison to the right as you can see in the photo.

PS Photography | Shawna Hudson


The Detox Effect treatment produced similar results but also massively improved my gut health. I experienced a sore throat for about a week after receiving both treatments and almost felt a light cold coming on. Lanini explained that this is normal: during the detox or massage process, the body actively releases toxins, which can sometimes lead to side effects, depending on individual toxin levels. "A client might already have underlying issues, such as a sinus infection, which can manifest more prominently as their body releases toxins, potentially causing sensations similar to a throat infection."

Mitigate any symptoms of detox with proper aftercare. "During detox, we provide clients with two types of teas and strongly encourage them to drink plenty of water and avoid sweets and carbohydrates," says Lanini. "My technique helps eliminate heavy metals, which can cause significant health issues over time. Removing them is a crucial step toward long-term wellness."

After that initial detox period, I felt better than ever. I haven't experienced any bloating or abdominal discomfort since then, and for that alone, I'll continue to see Lanini on a regular basis. Receiving Lanini's treatments also made me realize how important it is to take care of the lymphatic system, and how I was neglecting mine (oops). Dry brushing at home can be a helpful at-home maintenance practice, but it's great to see someone like Lanini regularly if your budget allows since she knows the most useful drainage spots and sculpting techniques.

How Much Does This Treatment Cost?​

You can expect to pay $350 for The Effect massage treatment but upwards of $580 if you request Lanini personally. The Detox Effect starts at $360 per treatment and is $590 for a session with Lanini. Even though lymphatic drainage is pricey, I believe it's 100 percent worth it. From now on, catch me dry brushing.

Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer whose work has appeared in Bustle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more.