"I Tried A Colonic & Here’s The Truth No One Tells You"

There are some wellness treatments you book with quiet confidence and eagerly look forward to, such as a luxe facial, an aromatherapy massage, maybe even a lymphatic drainage moment if you’re feeling particularly virtuous. And then there are the ones you whisper about or only tell your sister or best friend, such as a colonic.

I booked mine out of pure curiosity. Blame the endless chatter around gut health, the promise of feeling “lighter”, and the general wellness narrative that if your insides are thriving, everything else, skin, mood, energy, will follow. As someone who frequently writes about wellness, I thought it was only right to give it a go…

The build-up (mentally more than physically)

No one really prepares you for the psychological side of booking a colonic. There’s a moment where you wonder if you’ve misunderstood what’s involved. You haven’t. But the reality is far less dramatic than your imagination.

The clinic I went to was calm, clinical (in a warm way), and surprisingly soothing. No awkwardness, no judgment, just a very matter-of-fact approach that immediately made the whole thing feel normal, even checking in.

It’s a little awkward at first but I kept telling myself that the therapist had done this a zillion times before
Tamara, Contributing Beauty Editor

So, what actually happens?

Without getting too graphic (you’re welcome), the treatment involves gently introducing warm, filtered water into the colon to help flush out waste, including parasites. The therapy began with me lying on my side (to insert the pipe) and then moving on to my back, where the practitioner gently massaged my stomach to aid the removal of waste matter. I won’t lie, it’s a little awkward at first, but I kept telling myself that the therapist had done this a zillion times before. At first, I talked gibberish to my therapist to avoid being in “the moment” with a total stranger and a pipe in my bottom!

The process takes about 30–45 minutes, during which the therapist will explain everything as it happens.

It’s not painful, but it is unusual. There’s a sensation of fullness, a bit of pressure, and the occasional moment where you think you may need to rush to the toilet. But overall, it’s far more manageable than expected (once you get over the initial embarrassment).

It’s not painful, but it is unusual. There’s a sensation of fullness, a bit of pressure, and the occasional moment where you think you may need to rush to the toilet.

The immediate aftermath

The first thing I noticed was that I felt lighter. Not in a dramatic, life-altering way, but enough to register. My stomach was far less bloated, more comfortable, and the flattest it’s ever been prior to having my five children. There’s also a certain clarity that’s hard to explain. Whether that’s physiological or psychological is up for debate, but the post-treatment feeling is undeniably positive. I honestly left the clinic with a spring in my step.

Skin-wise, I won’t claim an overnight transformation. This isn’t a facial for your insides that suddenly gives you glass skin. But over the following days, I did feel less sluggish, which, indirectly, showed up in my complexion.

What to know

There were a few questions that I needed answered before booking my treatment. Such as: can you have a colonic during your menstrual cycle? The answer is yes. Can you eat and drink as usual before a treatment? Absolutely, but it’s advised to avoid alcohol for 24 hours before.

The reality check

I think it’s important to point out that this is not something you need. It won’t fix your diet, undo lifestyle habits, or magically transform your health and give you a flat stomach for life. And it’s definitely not a long-term solution for digestive issues. But as a one-off reset or something you try out of curiosity, it definitely has its place.

Would I do it again?

The answer is… maybe. I wouldn’t rush to book it as part of a regular routine, but I also wouldn’t rule it out. There’s something oddly satisfying about the feeling afterwards, that subtle reset, that sense of having done something different for your body.

It’s not glamorous. It’s not Instagram-friendly. And it definitely won’t be replacing your favourite pampering treatment anytime soon. But it does make you realise how much of modern wellness is shifting inward, towards gut health, internal balance, and how we feel, not just how we look.

The verdict

Trying a colonic is a bit like trying any slightly taboo wellness trend; you go in unsure, slightly sceptical, and prepared to have an opinion. And you leave pleasantly surprised. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s not ridiculous either. Would I recommend it? If you’re curious, open-minded, and willing to embrace a slightly unconventional experience, then yes. Just maybe don’t bring it up at your next dinner party.