I Wore This Viral Lymphatic Drainage Catsuit Everywhere I Went For 30 Days

When Pilates onesies took off, my first reaction was apprehension — mostly because I thought I might feel restricted in a workout bodysuit. But after taking a Solidcore class in one, I was hooked. When onesies are well-made and packed with compression, they can actually be quite flattering and energizing. So when I heard about Heat Healer's Activated Lymphatic Onesie ($170, originally $200), a TikTok-viral product that could offer legitimate long-term benefits (on top of just looking really cute at the studio), I was instantly intrigued. I saw folks taking similar Pilates classes in it, lounging in it, and pretty much just living in it because of how great it made them feel.

The brand's founder Lauren Dovey launched the onesie in July 2024 after discovering that it was possible to embed infrared technology into compression garments to activate and accelerate the lymphatic effect. "I flew straight from Sydney to LA and went directly to a lab after a 14-hour flight to test it on my own body, because like all Heat Healer products, it's not just rigorously third-party tested. It has to pass my own test, too," she says. "I have to be obsessed with a product before I bring it into the world. And when I saw the results, that's when I knew it was time to hit the go button."

After Dovey personally posted an Instagram Reel explaining how it worked to coincide with the release, the onesie sold out in six hours without any paid marketing. Today, customers dealing with lymphatic issues, POTS, PCOS, varicose veins, post-surgery recovery, and lymphedema have reported improvements in symptoms, deeper sleep, and increased energy, whereas athletes love how it enhances recovery by soothing their muscles.

As a runner who is slowly ramping up my workouts after dealing with patellar tendinitis in my right knee, I was curious if wearing the onesie would speed up the process. Not only that, I suffer from Raynaud's syndrome, so I already know how much compression helps with blood flow, and infrared fabric can, too, according to a 2018 study published in the National Library of Medicine.

To put the onesie to the test, I embarked on a 30-day journey to explore the benefits of my spiffy new catsuit. I also tapped lymphatic drainage expert Lara Henderson, who has been training in the field since 2002, to help me with my research. Ahead, read my full review.

Experts Featured in This Article

Lauren Dovey is an entrepreneur and the founder of Heat Healer.
Lara Henderson is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), and Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CMF) who works with the Chikly Health Institute and the Academy of Lymphatic Studies.

About the Heat Healer Activated Lymphatic Onesie

What I Like About the Heat Healer Activated Lymphatic Onesie

Dovey says that the creation of the onesie came from a lightbulb moment when she realized she'd been layering multiple products to get the benefits she wanted in the lymphatic drainage, circulation, and recovery area. I, too, wear compression stockings under my clothes and often feel frustrated by the bulkiness they add, not to mention the less-than-ideal effect on my style. I love that this onesie actually looks sleek when incorporated into an athleisure look on the weekend, seamlessly integrating into my wardrobe. Every time I wear it, it gets easier to pull on and molds more effortlessly to my shape.

Another quality that's super unique is its versatility. We often see fitness products made specifically for exercising or post-workout recovery, but rarely both — and that's exactly why it's a game-changer. "Working out, walking, etc. while wearing compression is especially beneficial as the garment increases tissue pressure and therefore works against the muscle pump of movement to increase flow and circulation," Henderson explains, also noting that Heat Healer uses certified graduated 3D compression. "The reason medical grade, or certified, is important to look for is because compression gradient must be higher in the distal areas, and less in the proximal areas (further and closer to the heart) to be effective." I've worn the onesie both during activity and afterwards, for recovery, and find both situations to be beneficial. When I'm walking, I feel like my steps are lighter and more fluid, and my knees don't feel as strained. And when I'm recovering or working from home, I feel more energized to sit up straight in my chair and focus on my alignment. At the end of the day when I take it off, my skin feels firmer and more toned.

As for monitoring my Raynaud's syndrome in the onesie, I find that I'm less likely to lose feeling and blood circulation in my peripherals when I have it on. "Anytime we can improve circulation of the venous system and/or lymphatic flow, the symptoms of any joint or connective tissue issues will be lessened," Henderson says, validating my experience. Dovey notes that the graduated compression (tighter at the ankles and softening towards the hips) also helps with this as it's engineered to improve local blood flow.

My sister-in-law, who has POTS, particularly likes that the onesie fabric is temperature-regulating, since overheating can trigger her POTS symptoms; and that the design promotes full-body circulation, rather than just below the knees. On her bad-symptom days, she can sense that her nervous system is out of whack, but the jumpsuit makes her feel more grounded and stabilized. "I know compression garments aren't a cure, but for POTS management, having support beyond just socks makes a huge difference," she says.

What to Consider Before Buying the Heat Healer Activated Lymphatic Onesie

While the onesie gets easier to put on over time, the process takes some getting used to. The first time I shimmied into it, it took exactly one minute and 38 seconds to comfortably position it properly. And everyone knows jumpsuits of any kind don't make things a breeze in the bathroom. "The public restroom struggle is real," my sister-in-law laughs. "Maybe I'm just not used to full-body onesies, but man, this part is awkward. There's no real fix for it — just part of life, I guess." Heat Healer also recommends sizing down if you're in-between sizes, which may make for a tighter fit before you've broken in your onesie.

It's important to note, too, that if you're looking for instant results, everybody is different. While some people describe a lighter, more sculpted sensation after just one wear, Dovey recommends wearing the onesie daily or overnight for at least 30 days to fully reap all the benefits. Patience is a virtue. Finally, Henderson notes that if the price tag is too steep for you, there are other ways to promote lymphatic drainage. "Deep breathing. Free and easy! Deep diaphragmatic breathing activates the lymph-rich area of the abdomen and can do wonders for stimulating lymphatic flow. Breathwork is underestimated!" she says.

Rating

★★★★

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.