How Flavia Lanini Brought Massage Effect From Brazil To The US - Forbes

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Flavia Lanini.

Flavia Lanini

Lymphatic drainage has become extremely popular over the last few years. Although in many Eastern and South American countries, the massage technique has been used for centuries. Lymphatic drainage saw a spike in the states after a slew of supermodels and celebrities started posting their before and afters. Most of these celebs were going to Flavia Lanini. Lanini has worked on everyone from Selena Gomez, Miranda Kerr, Kendall and Kris Jenner, Shay Mitchell, Vanessa Hudgens, Paris Hilton, Cara Delevingne, Cassie, Dua Lipa, Busy Philipps, Nina Dobrev, Alessandra Ambrosio, Emmy Rossum, Hailey Bieber, Lily Aldridge, Elsa Hosk, Romee Strijd, Candice Swaneopoel, Martha Hunt, Shanina Shaik and Sara Sampaio.

But what exactly is lymphatic drainage? “Lymphatic drainage is a manual massage technique that works on the lymphatic system, stimulating it to work quickly by moving the lymph to the lymph nodes. Its’ main function is to accelerate the process of removing the accumulated liquid between the cells and their catabolic residues, directing them to the capillary vessels and, through specific movements, directing them so that they are eliminated.” Explains Lanini. “The benefits of drainage are extensive mainly in the transport and removal of liquids and substances from the swollen region back into the bloodstream; directs and increases lymphatic flow, promoting faster removal of excess interstitial fluid; improves the immune system due to the important elimination of toxins; combined with other treatments it helps in the reduction of edematous cellulite and brings body and mental relaxation. Promoting the immediate well-being to the patient.”

Flavia Lanini Beauty Institute.

Flavia Lanini

The massage can also benefit people with lymphedema, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. While many use lymphatic drainage massages for aesthetic reasons, Lanini was trained in Brazil for five years with the approach of treating her clients for health and wellness reasons. “To be properly trained and licensed to perform lymphatic drainage massages in Brazil- you have to go to school for five years in a program similar to pre-med students,” said Lanini. “After coming to the states I started to realize many of these quick fix studios weren’t educated with proper training.” Lanini highly advises people to search for a licensed professional with references and experience just as one would do when searching for a physician. A proper lymphatic drainage massage has to be completely manual with no help of a machine and should not cause any pain or discomfort.

After 13 years of mastering her technique in Brazil, Lanini first got exposure in America five years ago when she began treating supermodel’s Candice Swaneopoel and Alessandra Ambrioso before their fashion shows. The models had known about Lanini in Brazil and slowly shared her technique via word of mouth. Soon after Lanini opened a permanent spa in New York City and Washington D.C. in addition to her mobile service. Although Lanini was trained in lymphatic drainage massage for health and wellness purposes, her clients kept raving about the aesthetic benefits of the technique so she went on to develop the Massage Effect™. “The Massage Effect™ goes beyond a regular lymphatic drainage massage. I developed the Massage Effect as a signature massage that combines Lymphatic Drainage, contouring (a combination of deeper strokes to releases the tissue, increase the metabolism and promote a contouring effect), and Myofascial release,” shared Lanini.

Her treatments became so coveted she opened her first West Coast spa in West Hollywood in late 2019. The business may seem glamorous on Instagram, Lanini has a long road ahead. “The biggest challenge I have had since moving my business to America has been educating people on why they need lymphatic massage on a regular basis for health and wellness prevention rather than only using the treatment if they have an existing condition,” explained Lanini. She plans on continuing to grow her beauty institute across the country while continuing to educate people on what lymphatic drainage is and how to safely use the technique.