Celebrities can’t stop raving about this technique for tackling cellulite: the Brazilian massage. So much so that leading expert Flavia Lanini opened her very own dedicated salon in Los Angeles. Dreamy! But what exactly makes the Brazilian massage unique, and is it as effective as everyone claims? Here’s a closer look at this promise-packed anti-cellulite treatment.
What is the Brazilian massage?
What sets the Brazilian massage apart is its dual approach: it combines a series of massage techniques drawn from proven methods with the benefits of an active “fat-burning” body wrap.
1- The technique
The Brazilian massage brings together several well-regarded massage techniques, including lymphatic drainage, kneading and the pinch-and-roll method. It incorporates:
- Palm and forearm pressure
- Alternating rhythms throughout the session
- Work on lymphatic flow and energy points through pressure and smoothing
- Percussion and tapping movements
- Kneading and pinch-and-roll techniques to decongest the tissues
The Brazilian massage always begins with an energising and lymphatic stimulation phase, using gentle finger pressure on the lymph nodes. It then moves into classic anti-cellulite and slimming manoeuvres applied to each area: stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks… Rhythms shift depending on the phase: slow for smoothing, fast for percussion and tapping, firm for kneading.
It’s worth noting that the Brazilian massage is performed using a cream enriched with caffeine and antioxidants to stimulate lipolysis.
2- The body wrap
Once the massage movements are complete, the Brazilian massage continues with a wrap, or body wrap. This involves applying a poultice to the body, wrapping it in cling film, and then covering it with a heat source (such as a heated blanket). In the Brazilian massage, the balm used for the wrap is typically made from coffee, kola nut, cacao, guarana and/or green coffee. The wrap lasts around 20 to 30 minutes.
What are the benefits of the Brazilian massage for cellulite?
The Brazilian massage offers a wide range of benefits: draining, relaxing, toning and energising. It delivers genuine muscle relaxation, a welcome release of tension, and a real boost against fatigue.
But the main appeal of the Brazilian massage lies in its slimming and anti-cellulite properties. Several factors explain why:
- The Brazilian massage helps drain vital fluids. Microcirculation and the lymph nodes are deeply stimulated, which helps reduce water retention and flush toxins towards the body’s elimination organs.
- It also helps activate lipolysis, as the kneading movements typical of the pinch-and-roll technique encourage the breakdown of stored fat.
- The wrap phase activates thermogenesis. The prolonged application of “fat-burning” actives — caffeine from coffee or guarana, polyphenols from cacao, catechins from green coffee — helps encourage the emptying of fat cells.
The Brazilian massage can therefore be considered a genuine anti-cellulite massage, capable of reducing the dimpled appearance of the skin and relieving congestion in cases of water retention. It targets all types of cellulite :
- Stimulation of the deeper layers of the skin, helping to reduce fibrous cellulite.
- Drainage of subcutaneous water and toxins, supporting the reduction of aqueous cellulite.
- Activation of lipolysis, beneficial for adipose cellulite.
How to perform a Brazilian massage effectively?
Very few salons currently offer the Brazilian massage, as it requires specific expertise. A session typically lasts between one and one and a half hours, with prices ranging from €90 to €110.
Given its complexity — combining multiple massage techniques and a body wrap — the Brazilian massage is difficult to replicate at home. That said, it’s entirely possible to draw inspiration from some of its key movements to create your own anti-cellulite routine at home. Here’s how:
- Start with a destocking scrub, using our Cellulite Scrub. Enriched with caffeine, it helps stimulate the breakdown of stored fat while removing dead skin cells, leaving skin more receptive to subsequent treatments.
- Follow with a massage oil, such as our Stimulating Massage Oil. Its fruity blend of lipolytic grapefruit and vitamin-rich kiwi , combined with its light, fluid texture, makes it the ideal oil for anti-cellulite massage.
- Begin the massage with our Orange Peel Skin Massager which, thanks to its spiked rollers, faithfully replicates the smoothing technique.
- Continue with the Cupping Massager, which recreates the pinch-and-roll effect — without the difficulty! Just 3 minutes per area is enough to visibly reduce cellulite.
- Optionally, complete the treatment with a percussion massage using our Percussion Massager. This device stimulates the deep muscles while also promoting healthy oxygenation of the dermis — essential for tackling stubborn cellulite.
- Finally, to activate thermogenesis and boost microcirculation, nothing beats an application of Cold Cellulite Cream. A rich, generous cream suitable for all cellulite-prone areas, with visible results after just one week of use!