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When it comes to wellness and health, I’m always looking for a suitable shortcut. From Infrared Sauna Blankets that burn calories just by laying down to body-contouring shapewear to hide the aftermath of a super-sized dinner, I’m here for all the hacks that promise to work their magic without requiring me to actually work harder. With that being said, it comes as no surprise that when I learned that lymphatic drainage leggings (they’re usually referred to as compression massage leggings) were an actual thing, I knew I had to give this burgeoning activewear-meets-wellness “trend” a try ASAP.
Lymphatic drainage is nothing new in the holistic healthcare sector, but when it comes to functional activewear, it seems that lymphatic drainage compression leggings have officially entered the chat. Our lymphatic system functions as our bodies’ built-in detoxifying center, which helps to remove toxins and excess fluids, and decrease the accumulation of fat buildup. Stan Kapica, President of Skin Science Solutions and holistic health expert, explains that the lymphatic system has three primary functions for our overall health. “[The lymph system] maintains the balance of fluid between the blood and tissues, known as fluid homeostasis; it forms part of the body’s immune system and helps defend against bacteria and other intruders, [and] it facilitates absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients in the digestive system,” she previously told The Daily Beast.
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Techniques and treatments used to jumpstart the drainage process, like massages and dry brushing, have been shown to offer a laundry list of impressive health and beauty benefits, from boosting immunity (the lymph system is actually a part of the immune system), reducing unwanted fluid retention and bloating, improving energy levels, combatting chronic inflammation, and yes, even getting rid of cellulite. Unfortunately, many of these treatments are time-consuming and costly, which is what led Emeline Kuhner-Stout, founder of Elastique, to launch her brand of patented Micro-Perle lined leggings designed to help give you a “wearable massage” while supporting lymph flow while you wear them.
Elastique’s lymphatic drainage leggings work to help stimulate the lymph, expel bacteria-laden pools of fluid, and boost circulation by not only heightened compression but also by way of their built-in micro-massage technology. Essentially, the leggings are designed with embedded, woven massage beads and strategically placed indentations aligned to your lymph nodes that apply pressure to your legs, hips, and behind. As you move, these ridiculously innovative design features “massage” you and stimulate fluid release.
The logic behind how these so-called lymphatic draining leggings actually work is more or less aligned with several tried-and-true compression-based therapies, including belly binding wraps used to speed up recovery and get rid of excess fluids postpartum or compression socks worn to prevent blood clots during long flights or other periods of prolonged stagnation—they're just majorly upgraded with “wellness-wear” bonus features.
As someone who sits at a computer literally all day long, almost every day, and has fallen into the habit of avoiding the gym at all costs (blaming the pandemic on this one!), this lazy-girl-approved activewear trend is basically a dream come true. Scroll through below to check out the best pairs to shop.
Also dubbed as a “wearable massage,” I first discovered Élastique Athletics's lymphatic-system-boosting leggings when Instagram served me the “wellness-wear” brand's ad, and now that I’ve owned a pair of French-made leggings for over a year, I can honestly say they are worth every penny and more. These compression leggings are engineered with graduated compression to give the circulatory system a boost and strategically placed MicroPerle beads that help promote lymphatic flow as you move. “I have been wearing these leggings religiously since having my second child and can’t see myself stopping anytime soon! They are so comfortable and flattering. They made me feel great at a time when my body was still recovering from pregnancy, and they helped me get back into shape. I absolutely love them and recommend them to all active women,” one reviewer wrote.
These therapeutic leggings feature a high compression level of 20-30 mmHg, a controlled top for a slimming effect, and a graduated design (tighter in the ankles) for optimal circulation-boosting benefits. “I have some circulation problems and have been wearing compression socks for a while now. But I always felt like I can do better than that and decided to try compression leggings. After researching I ordered these ones and I'm glad I did! I'm 5'7 and these are long enough to reach my ankles and even go beyond that! They are very thick and of nice quality. Extremely comfortable!!! I wear them with a tunic on the weekend and I can run around doing household stuff or errands all day long. And the best part is I do notice that my leg swelling decreased,” said one Amazon shopper.
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