Update October 17, 2017:
On a recent episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Khloé Kardashian revealed that she has been using a tool called the FasciaBlaster to diminish cellulite. “It gets rid of cellulite, you rub it on your body, it’s literally the most painful [thing],” explained Kardashian to her sister Kourtney Kardashian. “You rub this on your body really hard.”
After convincing Kourtney to give it a try, Khloé gave her sister a rubdown using the tool. “It does not hurt whatsoever,” said Kourtney as she was getting a massage using the FasciaBlaster. “You really have no dimples!” added Khloé.
Considering how popular the tool has become lately, it’s no surprise that the Kardashian sisters decided to give it a try for themselves. Hopefully they’ll keep their fans updated on any results that they see. In the meantime, catch a sneak peek of the Kardashians using the FasciaBlaster in the preview below (they use the tool at around 1:06):
Originally Published October 13, 2017:
Social media has a knack for making under-the-radar beauty brands suddenly trendy, but just because people pose with a product on Instagram doesn’t mean it’s actually legit. So, we decided to dig a little deeper into a brand that’s currently making its rounds on Instagram and Facebook as a miracle cellulite solution—the FasciaBlaster.
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In case you haven’t seen it, the device is essentially a skinny white rod with small claw-like prongs jutting out from it. The benefits of using the tool include a reduction of cellulite, improved blood flow and reduced muscle pain. Intrigued? Well, you’re not alone. While it may seem like this tool is promising some serious benefits for a device that appears so simple, the startling before-and-after images have people purchasing the FasciaBlaster in bulk. However, what exactly is fascia in the first place and how does this tool result in such drastic results?
According to Ashley Black, inventor of the FasciaBlaster, fascia is “web-like connective tissue system that holds us together and interacts with and supports every other system, structure and organ.” New York plastic surgeon, Stephen Greenberg, MD, describes it as “a thin sheath of fibrous connective tissue that encloses muscles and organs.” In order to visualize it, many experts compare it to the inside threads of an orange peel, intertwining itself throughout the muscles and organs within your body.
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While this connective tissue is obviously a necessary part of the body, it can also result in pain, discomfort or even cellulite. “Fascia is protective by nature and when the body senses an imbalance, injury, or misalignment, it signals the fascia to protect by clamping down and adhering to fortify the area,” explains Black. “While this action fixes a temporary issue, the long-term effect is that you have fascial adhesions and restrictions in your body that eventually lead to pain and misalignments.” Translation? Healthy fascia is pliable and glides smoothly, while unhealthy fascia is sticky and tight which can obviously cause pain. Cellulite, on other hand, can also occur when the fascia adheres to the skin and pulls it down, therefore creating cellulite dimples.
So, how does the FasciaBlaster work to combat unhealthy, cellulite-causing fascia? Well, according to Black, the FasciaBlaster’s claws are designed to comb through the fascia and loosen its tightness and restriction, resulting in less pain, discomfort and cellulite. Users perform the treatment by applying oil to bare skin, then taking the tool and rubbing it briskly across the area of concern for about two to five minutes.
Considering how drastic the before-and-after images of the FasciaBlaster are, it’s no surprise that this trend quickly took off, even among celebrities. “Many celebrities, the Kardashians for example, promote these FasciaBlasting products that claim to reduce the appearance of cellulite and relieve muscular pain by essentially breaking apart this contracted fascia,” says Dr. Greenberg. In fact, a recent promotional video for Keeping Up With the Kardashians shows Kourtney Kardashians giving the FasciaBlaster a try, proving just how popular this tool has truly become.
However, even with all the publicity and various images of happy customers floating across the Internet, doctors believe you should still be cautious when using the device. “Because these ‘FasciaBlasters’ have the potential to break capillaries and fat cells, there is a real potential for bruising and post-blasting discomfort,” says Dr. Greenberg.
Additionally, New Jersey plastic surgeon John Paul Tutela, MD, notes that devices like the FasciaBlaster are only a temporary solution for cellulite and won’t remove those dimples for good. “There have been many attempts like this in the past to remove cellulite but they all have resulted in swelling which covers up the cellulite temporarily. They may have been succeeded in breaking up the fascial attachments but the bottom line is that none have been successful in getting rid of cellulite—they almost always recur.”
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a way to get rid of cellulite forever, your best option is still Cellulaze or Cellfina, both of which are FDA-approved to treat those dimples. However, the FasciaBlaster could be a good option for those looking to loosen up stiff fascia tissue that’s causing pain or discomfort, or even to reduce the appearance of cellulite temporarily (hey, those before-and-afters do show some major improvement). Either way, it’s important to know the facts before trying any treatment available on the market. After all, it’s always better to do the research before using any kind of bodywork device—you’ll be happy you did.
