Bellabaci

Cape Town's silicone cupping pioneer, modern cupping without the bruising.

The story

Bellabaci was founded in Cape Town by Keren Trabelsi, a certified therapeutic massage therapist and spa owner, after her own experience using traditional fire cupping to relieve sciatica during pregnancy. The result was effective but the bruising and complexity made daily home use impractical. She set out to design a system that delivered the same therapeutic suction without fire, vacuum pumps, or marking. The answer was medical-grade silicone cups that squeeze and release by hand, the first commercial silicone cupping system on the market.

More than two decades later, Bellabaci ships to spas and home users across the USA, UK, Europe, Brazil, the Baltics, and across Africa. The product line has expanded from cups to a complete cupping ritual: silicone body cups, face cups, kese cleansing mitts, and a range of essential oil complexes (Cellulite Be Gone, Skin Get a Life, CircuFlow) formulated by naturopath Dr Sandi Nye to work with the cupping action. The brand stays grounded in Cape Town as a proudly South African export.

Cupping has been around for thousands of years. I just wanted to make it work in modern life, no fire, no bruises, no complicated training. Squeeze, place, release.

Keren Trabelsi, founder and CEO of Bellabaci International

What makes them different

01
Silicone First

Bellabaci pioneered hand-squeezable silicone cups, replacing fire and vacuum pumps with a tool any home user can operate. No training required, no bruising at typical home pressure.
02
Therapist Designed

Founder Keren Trabelsi is a certified therapeutic massage therapist, and the system was originally designed to reduce wrist strain on professional therapists performing many hours of massage. The home version inherits that ergonomic thinking.
03
Naturopath Formulated Oils

The essential oil complexes (Cellulite Be Gone, Skin Get a Life, CircuFlow) are formulated by Dr Sandi Nye, a naturopath, to work with the suction action. The oil and the cupping are designed as one ritual, not separate steps.
04
South African Made

Designed, formulated, and run from Cape Town since 2003. Twenty-plus years of iteration on the silicone format, used in spas across four continents.

The shelf favourites

The handful we reach for most. Ranked by what actually sells, with the why for each.

Belabaci Pro Cleansing Mitt

R299.00

The Pro Cleansing Mitt (kese) is the prep step before cupping. Exfoliates dead skin so the cups grip cleanly and the oils penetrate. Used wet on damp skin in the shower as the warm-up to a Bellabaci session.
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Belabacci Copper Mitt

R299.00

The copper version of the cleansing mitt. Copper threading provides slightly firmer exfoliation than the standard mitt, suited to thicker body skin (legs, back, glutes) rather than face or decolletage.
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Shop the full Bellabaci range below.

All Bellabaci products ↓

Belabaci

Belabacci Copper Mitt

R 299.00

Combines natural fibers and copper threads for smooth, radiant skin. Boosts circulation, exfoliates dead skin, and reduces uneven tone. Promotes youthful, glowing skin with an easy-to-use, eco-friendly design.

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Belabaci

Belabaci Pro Cleansing Mitt

R 299.00

Combines natural fibers and copper threads for smooth, radiant skin. Boosts circulation, exfoliates dead skin, and reduces uneven tone. Promotes youthful, glowing skin with an easy-to-use, eco-friendly design.

Quick view Add to cart

Touring the range

Three doorways into the brand: entry, classic, specialty.

START HERE

The cleansing mitts

Before any cupping session the skin needs to be exfoliated for the cups to glide and the oils to absorb. The Pro Cleansing Mitt is the standard prep step, used wet in the shower two to three times per week.

Belabaci Pro Cleansing Mitt R299.00

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BUILD OUT

Cups and essential oil complexes

Add Bellabaci's silicone cups and one of the targeted essential oil complexes (Cellulite Be Gone for lymph, Skin Get a Life for hydration, CircuFlow for circulation) for the full ritual. The oil is applied first, then the cups glide over the skin in slow strokes.

Belabacci Copper Mitt R299.00

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SPECIALTY

Copper mitt for thicker skin

For body areas with thicker, less responsive skin (back, glutes, outer thighs), the copper-threaded mitt provides firmer exfoliation than the standard polyester kese. Use weekly rather than daily on these areas.

Belabaci Pro Cleansing Mitt R299.00

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What the brand stands behind

Proudly South African

Founded, designed, and run from Cape Town since 2003. Over 21 years of continuous development of the silicone cupping format.
Medical Grade Silicone

Cups are made from medical-grade silicone, the same standard used in medical device manufacturing for safety and durability.
Naturopath Formulated

Essential oil complexes are formulated by Dr Sandi Nye, a naturopath, to complement the suction mechanism rather than just scent the ritual.
Global Distribution

Used by spas and home users in the USA, UK, Europe, Brazil, the Baltics, and across Africa.
Cruelty-Free

Products are not tested on animals, and the essential oil complexes are vegan-suitable.

About this brand

Common questions customers ask about the brand and its products.

What does silicone cupping actually do?

Silicone cupping creates negative pressure on the skin, which lifts the fascia (the connective tissue layer beneath the skin) and stimulates lymphatic drainage and local circulation. The traditional medical claims around fire cupping focus on muscle release and stagnation; the modern aesthetic application focuses on cellulite, lymph movement, and skin tone. Bellabaci sits more in the aesthetic and home wellness category.

Will I get bruises like traditional cupping?

At normal home pressure, no. Bruising in traditional cupping comes from stationary cups left in place for 10 to 20 minutes with strong vacuum. Bellabaci's home use is glide cupping: the cup moves over oiled skin in slow strokes for two to five minutes per area, which does not mark. Stationary cupping is possible with these cups but is not the primary use case.

How often should I do a session?

For cellulite or lymphatic goals, three to five sessions per week of 10 to 15 minutes per target area is the recommended cadence for the first six to eight weeks. After that, twice weekly maintenance is enough for most users. For skin tone and circulation goals on the face, daily 60 to 90 second sessions are typical.

Can I use Bellabaci on my face?

Yes, with the smaller face cups specifically. Body cups are too strong for facial skin. Face cupping is done at very light pressure with a face oil or serum, in slow upward strokes from jawline to temples and from nose to ears. Sessions are short (60 to 90 seconds per side).

Are there situations where I should not use cupping?

Avoid cupping over varicose veins, broken skin, recent surgery sites, or active rashes. Pregnant users should avoid cupping over the abdomen and lower back. People on blood thinners should use lighter pressure and shorter sessions. If you have a medical condition affecting your skin or circulation, check with your doctor first.

What is the difference between the Pro and Copper mitts?

The Pro Cleansing Mitt is a standard kese exfoliation mitt suitable for most body areas and for use two to three times per week. The Copper Mitt has copper threading for firmer exfoliation, designed for thicker body skin (legs, glutes, back) and used weekly rather than every shower. The face needs neither and should be cleansed with regular skincare.

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Bellabaci

The story

What makes them different

Silicone First

Therapist Designed

Naturopath Formulated Oils

South African Made

The shelf favourites