Celebrities can’t stop raving about this technique for caring for their skin: 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 does it really live up to its reputation? Here’s a closer look at this much-talked-about anti-cellulite massage.
What is the Brazilian massage?
What sets the Brazilian massage apart is its dual approach: it combines a series of massage techniques drawn from well-known methods with a body wrap made with ingredients of natural origin.
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 different points of the body through pressure and smoothing
- Percussion and tapping movements
- Kneading and pinch-and-roll techniques
The Brazilian massage always begins with gentle, light finger pressure around the lymph nodes. It then moves into classic anti-cellulite 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, which accompanies the massage movements.
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 is often described as relaxing, toning and energising. It is above all a moment of relaxation and letting go, and you leave with a pleasant feeling of lightness and energy. Many see it as a wellbeing break as much as a body treatment.
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But the main appeal of the Brazilian massage lies in its reputation as an anti-cellulite treatment. Here’s what it involves:
- The Brazilian massage includes pressure and smoothing movements, often found in the massage routines discussed in relation to water retention.
- It also includes the kneading movements typical of the pinch-and-roll technique, classic anti-cellulite gestures (see also our article on lipolysis).
- The wrap phase relies on the prolonged application of ingredients of natural origin: caffeine from coffee or guarana, polyphenols from cacao, catechins from green coffee.
The Brazilian massage can therefore be considered an anti-cellulite massage, a feel-good treatment focused on the dimpled appearance of the skin. It is suitable for all types of cellulite, whether fibrous cellulite, aqueous cellulite or adipose cellulite.
How to perform a Brazilian massage at home?
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 scrub, using our Cellulite Scrub. Enriched with caffeine, it complements your anti-cellulite routine 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 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, takes its cue from the smoothing technique.
- Continue with the Cupping Massager, which recreates the pinch-and-roll effect, without the difficulty! Allow 3 minutes per area.
- Optionally, complete the treatment with a percussion massage using our Percussion Massager.
- Finally, to round off your routine, nothing beats an application of Cold Cellulite Cream. A rich, generous cream suitable for all cellulite-prone areas, to be applied regularly.
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