New Study Suggests A Way To Get Rid Of Cellulite Without Surgery Or Creams
There may be a way to treat cellulite without taking drastic measures or spending a ton of money on creams, according to a new study.
The study, published in the medical journal Cogent Medicine, looked specifically at the effects of fascia manipulation on cellulite in adult women. Fascial manipulation is a type of manual massage treatment typically employed for pain relief, according to Northern Edge Physical Therapy. In certain cases, the vigorous nature of fascia manipulation can cause bruising and injury, and FasciaBlaster has faced lawsuits as a result.
n the study, the subjects used a specific fascial massage tool called the FasciaBlaster; it features rounded plastic massage claws placed in a line along a rod that you rub over the areas you want to treat. Similar products on the market also claim to treat fascia and help with the appearance of cellulite.
Fascia “are vertical bands of connective tissue that attach to the underside of the skin,” Dr. Manish Shah, a Denver-based plastic surgeon, told HuffPost. The facia bands encase pockets of fat and as the bands stretch, you’re left with the bumpy appearance of cellulite on the surface of the skin, Shah said.
The study concluded that regular use of a personal fascial manipulation massage tool, which is a low-cost alternative to invasive surgeries and luxury creams, can be effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite. But do the effects last? HuffPost spoke to doctors to get some answers.
First, a little primer on cellulite.
Countless articles have been written on cellulite and whether there’s anything out there that can actually erase it. As we’ve noted in the past, it’s believed that between 80% to 90% percent of women have cellulite, which is the dimpled appearance of the skin that often appears on the thighs, butt and hips. Men can have cellulite as well, though it’s not nearly as common because the structure of their connective tissue is different from women’s.
Cellulite “is caused by bulging of fat pockets through the fascial connections under the skin. It leads to a cobblestone or cottage cheese appearance on the skin,” Shah said.
“There are a number of hormonal, genetic and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of cellulite,” he added. “Lower estrogen and tissue blood supply with aging cause decreases in collagen in the connective tissue fibers. They weaken and the bulging worsens. The skin also thins, making the fat pockets more visible. A diet rich in fats, carbs and salt also leads to more cellulite formation.”
Other factors that can contribute to cellulite include the way women store fat in their bodies ― in columns, versus in a lattice, like in men’s bodies ― and hormone levels. Poor circulation is also thought to be a contributor.
To put it plainly, there isn’t really a “magic cure” for cellulite, Dr. Anne Chapas told HuffPost in 2018.
That brings us to this new study.
Forty-three adult women participated in the recent study, which took place over 12 weeks. Thirty-three of them were shown how to properly employ fascia manipulation techniques using devices in the FasciaBlaster family and instructed to use the tools five days a week throughout the study period. The other 10 did not do any fascial manipulation.
When you use the tool with the “appropriate amount of pressure and oil lubrication,” it essentially grips the skin and stretches and pulls on the fascia beneath the skin, releasing the adhesions or scar tissue under the skin that can lead to the appearance of cellulite, said Dr. Swet Chaudhari, a plastic surgeon and one of the study’s authors. When you release that scar tissue or allow it to remodel, he added, “you’re effectively improving the appearance of cellulite.”
Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, noted that massage techniques have long been used as a treatment for cellulite. She referred to the 1950s “fat jiggling” machines people used as an example.
“The massage factor is meant to address lymphatic and blood circulation,” Nazarian said. “There were some studies done a while ago that perhaps showed there was an element of hypoxia or low oxygen in those areas of tissue, which was triggering some of the changes we were seeing in the tissue as a response to poor blood circulation.”
The lymphatic system is also thought to have a role when it comes to the formation of cellulite, Nazarian said, adding, “when you’re doing massage, you’re effectively addressing both.” She also said that applying manual pressure over the skin can help stimulate collagen production, which is a benefit.
It should be noted that the study looked at the effects of one specific brand of personal massaging tools and the test group was quite small. Still, as Nazarian explained, “The study potentially may open the door for a slightly increased understanding about some of the other minutia behind what’s happening when you have cellulite.”
According to the study’s findings, fascia manipulation techniques proved to be successful in decreasing the “subcutaneous adipose tissue” and reducing the appearance of cellulite over the 12-week period. The study also found that the subjects who used the massage device saw an increase in their metabolism.
There’s a bit of a catch, though.
While the doctors we spoke to agreed that certain massaging techniques and tools, including items like the FasciaBlaster, can help reduce the look of cellulite, they don’t believe they’re a permanent solution for curing it. Once you stop using the tool, your connective tissue will tighten back up, enhancing the appearance of cellulite.
“Cure is a strong word, because it implies that once you do it, it’s over and it’s gone and it’s done,” Chaudhari said. With the fascia manipulation, he said, “You have to continue to do it” to see continued results. In terms of the FasciaBlaster tool, Chaudhari said, “Its effects are limited to the time you’re using it.”
Shah said he recommends some of his patients use the FasciaBlaster after undergoing non-invasive fat reduction treatments.
“I do believe that deep tissue restructuring with a tool like the FasciaBlaster helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but I don’t believe it reduces cellulite,” he said.
For what it’s worth, Nazarian said the study’s results weren’t totally surprising, especially given that massage techniques have been used for cellulite treatment before. She said that even a good massage or a technique like dry-brushing or foam rolling could also provide some benefits in treating cellulite, “but that doesn’t mean it helps long term.”
At present, Nazarian said that laser treatments that actually go in and snip the fibrous bands that contribute to the dimpling associated with cellulite are most effective. (One such treatment is called Cellulaze.)
But as Shah cautioned: “The problem of cellulite is one that doctors have been trying to fix for a very long time. It is clear that more research needs to be done in developing better treatments for cellulite.”
This story has been updated to address lawsuits brought to FasciaBlaster.
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The One Who Loves Drugstore Cleansers
Her skin issue: Dryness. "I have really sensitive skin, and I'm just getting back into using a retinoid because this is the first time in 10 years I haven't been pregnant, trying to get pregnant or nursing," says Hirsch. (Experts recommend avoiding vitamin A derivatives like retinoid and tretinoins during pregnancy and nursing.) "I'm only using it every third night right now, and I'm peeling like crazy." That means her medicine cabinet is filled with ultra-hydrating products to help counteract that dryness and irritation. "You don't need a ton of stuff, but I probably play around with different products more than other people do."
Her Routine
Morning
1. Hirsch cleanses with a basic cleanser, "usually something you can find at the drugstore" she says. The three in her rotation right now: Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser and Dove Beauty Bar Sensitive Skin.
2. She applies sunscreen, and, yes, she really does use it every day. "My skin is basically translucent," she says, so she only uses products with SPF 30 or greater. Her three favorite sunscreens: Shiseido Ultimate Protection Lotion WetForce for Sensitive Skin and Children, EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (she likes to mix this untinted sunscreen into her BB cream for protection and coverage) and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid. She also frequently borrows Babo Botanicals Nutri-Soothe SPF 15 Lip Treatment from the diaper bag.
Night
1. She cleanses again, usually with the same cleanser she used that morning.
2. Every third night, she applies a prescription retinoid called Refissa ("the gentlest retinoid you can get," she says) to address aging-skin concerns like fine lines and pigmentation. But every night, she puts on a double dose of skin soothers: first, Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, then First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. "When I finish up the Repair Cream, I'm going to swap it for Fresh Elixir Ancien," she says, a hydrating face oil that also minimizes wrinkles.
Extras
"Every now and then, if I'm feeling motivated, I'll use a moisturizing mask or an eye treatment like Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask," she says. Or she'll apply a bit of Peter Thomas Roth Oilless Oil Purified Squalene Treatment, another, you guessed it, hydrator.
The One Who Can Relate to Your Breakouts
Her skin issue: Oil, which leaves her with blemishes. "I use acne products twice a day," Lamb says. "On the upside, people with oily skin also tend to look younger." (Gotta love that positive attitude.) That being said, she's starting to notice the signs of time on her face, so anti-aging products are now a priority.
Her Routine
Morning
1. Lamb starts by cleansing with La Roche-Posay EffaClar Gel Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser or M-61 Power Cleanse.
2. After applying a prescription acne medication, she uses either La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer ("when I'm feeling really oily") or Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance. If her skin seems dry in the a.m., she'll switch to a heavier moisturizer, like SkinCeuticals Emollience. Here's what's not in her daily morning routine: sunscreen. (Try to contain your horror). "The only time I'm outside during the day is early in the morning when I walk to work, so I get very minimal sun exposure," she says. Plus, "I'm a darker-skinned black woman, so I don't feel as wedded to the sunscreen recommendations that I make to patients who don't have my complexion."
Night
1. She washes with the same cleanser, but this time, she uses a Clarisonic Mia brush to really get the grime of the day out of her skin.
2. Lamb applies a pea-sized amount of a topical prescription retinoid to her face, which targets both wrinkles and acne. "I always follow that up with one of the thicker moisturizers from my morning routine, either the Dermalogica or the Skinceuticals," she says.
3. In the past year, Lamb has started noticing unwelcome changes around her eyes. "I've been getting Botox on my forehead and around my eyes every six months for the past 10 years, but that doesn't help with under-eye bags, which is what I'm seeing in the mirror now." Eye cream has become a part of her daily routine—her favorite is RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Eye Cream, though sometimes she'll do an eye mask like Sisley Eye Contour Mask instead. "You want something with good moisturizers, so it can plump up the area under the eye and reduce the appearance of bags."
Extras
A couple of times a week, Lamb will use the M-61 Fast Blast 2-Minute Vitamin C Facial Mask in the shower, and occasionally she'll also use her Clarisonic to exfoliate with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. Both help give her skin a little glow, she says.
The One With the Minimalist Routine
Her skin issue: Rosacea, which means her skin "gets red, sensitive and breaks out sometimes," she says. Gentle anti-inflammatory products help keep it under control.
Her Routine
Morning
1. Tanzi uses the same cleanser she's used for 15 years—Donell Cream Wash. "It's gentle enough for patients to use after laser procedures, so it's great for my sensitive skin."
2. "I follow up my cleanser with a little antioxidant serum, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic," she says. "It's anti-inflammatory, and it also layers well under sunscreen."
3. Makeup with built-in sunscreen is the last thing Tanzi applies before she walks out the door. Specifically, Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush-on Sunscreen SPF 30. "It goes on like a pressed powder, has a little color to it and you can touch it up throughout the day," she says. "I put one in every bag I own."
Night
1. She washes with Donell Cream Wash again, then applies an eye cream with peptides to promote collagen production and smooth out wrinkles (her go-to is Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment).
2. Next comes the anti-aging treatment. "I'm a big proponent of layering a retinol under a glycolic acid product, or doing them on alternate nights if your skin can't handle retinol every night," says Tanzi. She chooses to layer them. Her retinol product is iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+, "just a couple of drops for the whole face." Finally, her moisturizer, Epionce Renewal Facial Cream, has glycolic acid to lessen fine lines and wrinkles.
The One Who's All About Anti-Aging
Her skin issue: Minimizing the signs of aging. In addition to consistent sunscreen use and topical retinoids, "I've had noninvasive radiofrequency tightening treatments and dermal fillers regularly over the last few years to address concerns like eye bags and sagging skin," says Chapas. "I also really like laser resurfacing, which removes damaged skin cells and replaces them with new ones."
Her Routine
Morning
1. After she gets out of the shower, Chapas applies Neocutis Micro Firm Neck & Décolleté Rejuvenating Complex to her neck and chest to firm the area and reduce the appearance of "dreaded neck lines," she says.
2. Next, she washes her face with a mild cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, then uses antioxidant-rich SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, "which not only provides some SPF," she says, "but it also helps undo sun damage like discoloration."
3. She follows up that serum with Restorsea Renormalizing Serum, which exfoliates to help even out pigmentation, and tops it all with SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense on her T-zone to unclog and minimize pores.
4. At some point before she leaves the house, Chapas also puts on EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 46. "It can go anywhere in the routine because physically blocking sunscreens, like this one, don't have to be absorbed into the skin to be effective," she says.
Night
1. After washing her face with Cetaphil again, Chapas applies SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5 to reduce fine lines and even out skin tone.
2. The morning's chest-and-neck cream gets a second use, this time as Chapas's nightly moisturizer.
The One Who's Serious About Makeup Removal
![<i>Jessica Wu, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine</i> <br /><br /><strong>Her skin issue:</strong> Eczema, which means she's careful about using overly drying products or cleansers that might strip the natural oils off her skin, which can lead to flare-ups. <br /><br /><strong>Her Routine</strong> <br /><br /><strong>Morning</strong> <br />1. "I don't always cleanse in the morning," says Wu. "Usually I just splash my face with lukewarm water in the shower, but if I'm feeling oily, I'll wash with <a href="http://www.bioderma.com/en/our-products/sebium/h2o" target="_blank">Bioderma Micellar Water.</a>" <br /><br />2. Next, Wu uses <a href="http://www.robinmcgrawrevelation.com/products/omg-really-me" target="_blank">Robin McGraw Revelation OMG Is This Really Me Serum</a> [disclosure: Wu recently became the chief medical advisor for Robin McGraw Revelation], which she applies anywhere she's starting to notice crepey-ness and fine lines—under the eyes, on the smile lines and the upper lip, in particular. <br /><br />3. Sunscreen isn't an everyday must for Wu, because "I leave for the office before the sun is up and I'm there until 7 p.m." But on the weekends, she uses the <a href="http://www.vichy.co.uk/sun-protection/stick-spf-50-ideal-soleil/p16837.aspx" target="_blank">Vichy Ideal Soleil Stick SPF 50+</a>. "It's waterproof and doesn't budge," she says. <br /><br /><strong>Night</strong> <br />1. Wu wears foundation and eye makeup daily, so the first thing she does at night is use the Bioderma Micellar Water to take everything off. "I get five round cotton pads, soak them with the water, then use the first two to take off my eye makeup, then the third and fourth to take off the rest of my makeup, and I use the fifth pad as a toner. It leaves my skin soft and clean but not stripped," she says. <br /><br />2. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Wu applies a thin layer of a prescription tretinoin called <a href="https://www.obagi.com/patients/product-line/renova" target="_blank">Renova</a>. "It stimulates collagen production and helps control my oil and monthly hormonal breakouts," she says. <br /><br /><strong>Extras</strong> <br />Once a week, Wu does a deeper cleanse using <a href="http://www.ulta.com/hydrating-cleanser?productId=xlsImpprod4190255" target="_blank">Cerave Hydrating Cleanser</a> and a konjac sponge like the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/konjac-cleansing-sponge-P382345" target="_blank">Boscia Cleansing Sponge</a>. "You can also find them at your local Asian food store for about $2," she says. Then, every two to three weeks, if her skin is really dry or she feels an eczema flare coming on, she'll apply the hydrating <a href="http://www.sephora.com/facial-treatment-mask-P375852?skuId=1448455&icid2=lp_sk2_bestsellers_carousel:p375852" target="_blank">SK-II Facial Treatment Mask</a>.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dLF4CN_eaBTh3DH58KRevg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/58503288120000dd00eef100.jpg)
Her skin issue: Eczema, which means she's careful about using overly drying products or cleansers that might strip the natural oils off her skin, which can lead to flare-ups.
Her Routine
Morning
1. "I don't always cleanse in the morning," says Wu. "Usually I just splash my face with lukewarm water in the shower, but if I'm feeling oily, I'll wash with Bioderma Micellar Water."
2. Next, Wu uses Robin McGraw Revelation OMG Is This Really Me Serum [disclosure: Wu recently became the chief medical advisor for Robin McGraw Revelation], which she applies anywhere she's starting to notice crepey-ness and fine lines—under the eyes, on the smile lines and the upper lip, in particular.
3. Sunscreen isn't an everyday must for Wu, because "I leave for the office before the sun is up and I'm there until 7 p.m." But on the weekends, she uses the Vichy Ideal Soleil Stick SPF 50+. "It's waterproof and doesn't budge," she says.
Night
1. Wu wears foundation and eye makeup daily, so the first thing she does at night is use the Bioderma Micellar Water to take everything off. "I get five round cotton pads, soak them with the water, then use the first two to take off my eye makeup, then the third and fourth to take off the rest of my makeup, and I use the fifth pad as a toner. It leaves my skin soft and clean but not stripped," she says.
2. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Wu applies a thin layer of a prescription tretinoin called Renova. "It stimulates collagen production and helps control my oil and monthly hormonal breakouts," she says.
Extras
Once a week, Wu does a deeper cleanse using Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and a konjac sponge like the Boscia Cleansing Sponge. "You can also find them at your local Asian food store for about $2," she says. Then, every two to three weeks, if her skin is really dry or she feels an eczema flare coming on, she'll apply the hydrating SK-II Facial Treatment Mask.
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