Brooks Nader Swears By This Massage Style That Reduces Inflammation and Boosts Your Immune System

Here are the benefits of the cosmetic treatment, plus the 2023 cover girl’s experience with it.

Brooks Nader was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic. 

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Five-time SI Swimsuit model Brooks Nader is always traveling. Whether it‘s a quick cross-country trip for a brand deal, or inter-continental travel for a destination location photo shoot, the 2023 SI Swimsuit cover star swears by one wellness treatment in particular: lymphatic drainage massages to de-puff and de-bloat after hours on a plane and weeks of deviating from her regular daily routine at home in New York City.

The Baton Rouge native took us along for her latest lymphatic drainage appointment as part of the “No Filter” video series, in which she tries the latest and greatest beauty treatments and shares her thoughts.

“We’re gonna drain. We’re gonna sculpt. We’re gonna lift,” Nader shares. “Should we start a band? I’m gonna let you know what’s worth it [and] what’s not. I’m going to be trying all of them out. Let’s do it!”

Nader worked with the Renuev Spa located in Manhattan’s Midtown West.

What is lymphatic drainage?

A lymphatic drainage treatment is a gentle manual massage used to relieve swelling in the arms, legs and abdomen. While swelling is typically just uncomfortable and unnatural for most, it can also be painful for some.

The swelling is caused by lymphedema, which occurs when your tissues retain fluid left behind—called lymph—after your cardiovascular system sends blood to your tissues and organs.

What are the benefits of lymphatic drainage?

When something disrupts your lymphatic system, lymph collects in your arms and legs, making them swell. The massage process helps to move the lymph to lymph nodes to assist and accelerate the drainage process.

Lymphatic drainage also helps to stimulate blood circulation and tissue regeneration, reduce swelling and water retention and minimize the appearance of cellulite. It’s a rejuvenating process that helps for an overall lighter and relaxed feeling throughout the body. Licensed massage therapists will use various tools, like large and small contoured wood pedals, gua sha stones, dry brushes, derma-globes and more.

Does lymphatic drainage massage really work?

Nader recalls her rookie SI Swimsuit photo shoot, when she traveled to Bali in 2020 after winning the ’19 Swim Search open casting call, as a prime example. She says it was the longest flight she had ever been on and by the end of it, her ankles were incredibly swollen.

Since her first lymphatic drainage massage, Nader has been “addicted.” She says it‘s her go-to beauty treatment when she needs a little pick-me-up or routine reset, and is something she indulges in especially when she returns from traveling.

“I wish you could feel this with the camera,” she says with a laugh while getting massaged. “It doesn’t hurt, it just tickles.”

The results

Nader adds that the reason she keeps coming back to lymphatic drainage is that the results are instant and don’t just look good, but they also feel incredible.

“This one, [lymphatic drainage], I feel like is special because I do actually see the results every time after I leave,” she explains. “I feel like a lot of the toxins, and liquid and fluid that my body has been holding on to, are just instantly released. This is 100% worth it—highly recommend.”

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