A massager includes a massager head with a capacitive sensor. A controller uses the capacitive sensor to sense capacitance changes that indicate a human body is in close proximity or in contact with the massager head. Responsive to activating the capacitive sensor, the controller activates a massager motor in the massager head. When a human body is sensed, the controller increases the vibrations caused by the massager motor from a starting speed to a final speed through a period of time. When the capacitive sensor no longer senses a body, the massager motor is slowed down and may be stopped.