17-07-2025
The 45-second trick to get a snatched waist for summer that Love Island star swears by as people hail it ‘new life hack'
WHETHER it's that time of the month or something you've eaten, bloating can affect many of us.
It's a common condition that leaves your body feeling tight, stretched, and swollen - and your clothes feeling uncomfortable.
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Fizzy drinks, eating certain foods and swallowing air when eating can all lead to bloating.
Water retention, constipation, stress and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can all trigger it too.
You might avoid triggers the best you can, but sometimes bloating can feel inescapable.
However, there is a treatment celebrities absolutely swear by to reduce it - lymphatic drainage.
Lymphatic drainage is a non-invasive treatment that's particularly popular in Brazil.
It's a lot like a gentle therapeutic massage and used to alleviate digestive issues, hormonal imbalance, and reduce cellulite.
Lymphatic drainage involves massaging inflamed areas with the fingertips in a clockwise motion to stimulate the lymph nodes.
And Love Island star Mal Nicol has revealed she swore by the technique on the show to look bikini-ready at all times.
in a TikTok video demonstating the technique, she said: "I genuinely did this, but I didn't know this was lymphatic drainage.
"I've always done it. Like, any time my belly's out, any time I've ever felt a bit bloated, I would put a bit of cream on so it's a bit glidy [and massage my stomach].
"I remember doing it in the villa when I was in my bikini.
"It's really gross. I do it both ways. I always end it this way, clockwise.
"It's very weird, but yeah, have a go this summer."
Mal's clip - captioned "burping my way to a flat tummy hahahahahh" - went viral with more than 1.6million views.
And social media users are loving her simple hack.
"Ur so real for this babe", one gushed.
A second insisted: "It acc helps so much."
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A third echoed: "Crying, this is my new life hack now."
"Brb, burping myself rn", joked a fourth.
A fifth added: "Why is this so funny but such a good to know hack."
Meanwhile, a sixth said: "Love thissss, my new routine."
What are the after effects of lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic drainage has physical, and mental benefits.
The treatment reduces swelling around the target area, but it can also leave you feeling calmer, energised and more focused.
Physiotherapist and lymphatic drainage expert, Flavia Morellato, has worked her wonders on Maya Jama, as well as supermodel Lottie Moss, presenters Rochelle Humes, Vogue Williams, and singers Ellie Goulding and Anne-Marie.
She explains: 'After treatment, reduced bloating or constipation are the main benefits, and it helps settle IBS flare-ups.
'You feel lighter, flatter and less bloated.
'But it also helps with brain fog, memory, and improves your mental health, as some feel more energised, with greater focus and concentration.
"But, it depends on each individual.'
When is the best time to have lymphatic drainage?
'There is no best treatment time,' says Flavia.
'Lymphatic treatments are recommended to flush out toxins and excess water retention from progesterone (PMS), but it is beneficial after a period to help with body detoxification.'
While the effects of lymphatic drainage can be noticeable immediately, they can also last for up to ten days post treatment, depending on your metabolism and lifestyle, which is why Flavia recommends MLD every ten days.
