Pros and cons of using a fascia blaster and when it has benefits for fitness-related scenarios or dangers for cosmetic use such as reduction in the appearance of cellulite.
In a perfection-obsessed culture of photoshopped models and smartphone apps that banish physical flaws with clever lighting and angles, a wellness product called the fascia blaster fits right in.
Promising to banish jiggly, dimpled cellulite among a host of other claims, these devices represent the modern version of the vibrating exercise belt from the Leave it to Beaver era.
However, while helpful for certain fitness applications, the use of the fascia blaster for cosmetic purposes is another story entirely.
The problem is that no one seems to be telling fans about the potential for unsightly side effects. In fact, using such a device regularly can trigger far worse skin-related issues than cellulite.
What is the Fascia?
In a nutshell, the “fascia” is the spiderweb of tissue that holds your body together. It is very densely woven, covering every muscle, bone, nerve, artery, and vein. The connection with the veins is especially important if you suffer from varicose or spider veins. I explain more about this below.
The internal organs are well protected by the fascia including the heart, lungs, brain, and spinal cord. Most interestingly, there are no breaks in the fascial spiderweb. It is one continuous structure from head to toe without a single interruption. (1)
I like to think of the fascia as a sort of biological yarn, knitted together much like a sweater as a living fabric for the entire body.
How Does a Fascia Blaster Work?
A fascia blaster is a self-utilized device that is specifically designed to work on this aspect of the musculoskeletal system. The manufacturer suggests that regular use can:
- Reduce cellulite
- Lessen pain
- Improve flexibility
- Promote circulation
- Increase joint function
- Enhance physical performance and nerve activity
Did someone say C-E-L-L-U-L-I-T-E?
With marketing claims like this, no wonder these types of devices are selling like crazy. But, like the rapid fat redistribution from lower to upper body that can occur from liposuction, be wary of claims of any cosmetic benefits.
Before examining the harm these devices can cause, however, let’s look at scenarios where a fascia blaster can be helpful.
Fascia Blaster Benefits
I first became familiar with the fascia blaster when I saw a college athlete using one on his injured thigh before an athletic event, probably on the advice of a trainer.
The fascia blaster was vigorously rubbed back and forth across the area apparently to help improve circulation. The hard plastic prongs attached to a sturdy stick about two feet long dig into the tissue, breaking up any fascia adhesions, reducing pain, and assisting with warm-up before competition.
Post-workout or athletic event, some trainers suggest using these types of devices to help heal the area much like a self-administered deep tissue massage or “scraping” used by some physical therapists. The process helps break up lactic acid, release toxins, and bring in blood and oxygen to the area for more rapid healing.
I personally use one to help warm up my hamstrings, quads, and IT band before weightlifting to reduce the chance of injury.
A less intense and mildly stimulating alternative to scraping is dry skin brushing.
But what if there is no injury and a person is not young and fit?
3 Reasons to Skip the Fascia Blaster
I was having a conversation with a practitioner friend recently about what she thought about the fascia blaster. One of her middle-aged clients was using one for cosmetic purposes.
In order to provide an educated opinion, she purchased one to examine it for herself.
She warns about 3 problems from using these devices which most people, unfortunately, find out after damage already occurs.
Cosmetic Improvements Minimal
While a fascia blaster does seem to be helpful for athletes who are fit as described above, for someone who is using it for purely cosmetic reasons, the results are doubtful.
Worse, you can actually harm yourself in the process. According to my practitioner, here are 3 things to watch out for.
Danger of Excessive Bruising
Warning: If you are prone to bruising, the fascia blaster can make you look like the victim of a beating. As a shocking example, I recently saw a woman at the store with extensive bruising all over both arms.
Very concerned, I asked her if she was alright. She rolled her eyes and responded that the bruising was from using a fascia blaster to try and reduce the jiggle!
While easy bruising (and fatigue) can indicate a B12 deficiency, there’s no doubt that some people are more sensitive than others even with an excellent diet.
So watch out! If you bruise easily, the fascia blaster is probably best avoided!
Got Spider Veins? Fascia Blasting is NOT for You
Many develop red, purple or bluish spider veins as they get older. These tiny clusters of blood vessels near the surface of the skin usually appear on the face and/or legs.
The dramatically increased blood flow and weight gain from childbirth, in particular, can cause them to develop on the upper thighs.
Since cellulite most commonly develops in this area as well, women using the fascia blaster may discover that it makes spider veins far worse!
A good massage therapist knows to take great care with areas of the skin containing spider veins. The pressure if too firm can cause the blood vessel clusters to spread. A fascia blaster can do the same thing.
Consider yourself warned!
Making Varicose Veins Worse
While spider veins are an unsightly nuisance and don’t cause pain, varicose veins are another matter!
Varicose veins are blood vessels that have become painfully twisted and enlarged. Blood flow is sluggish in these veins as well. Pregnancy is the typical reason women develop them, but anyone with circulatory issues can be susceptible.
They are not just unsightly. They can be a blood clot risk as well!
My grandmother almost died from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from a varicose vein. Following her recovery, she used witch hazel extract as an astringent to keep the swelling in check.
Using a fascia blaster in areas where varicose veins are present to improve circulation or reduce their appearance can do much more harm than good. Like spider veins, my practitioner warns that such a product can worsen the severity of the condition!
In summary, if you’ve been thinking of getting a fascia blaster, it is best to consult with your practitioner first. Be sure to rule out any skin or health conditions that might be aggravated by its use.
While beneficial for some physical therapy scenarios, cosmetic benefits are not as certain. In some cases as described above, unsightly or dangerous side effects are possible.
My question to you is, have you used this instrument Ashley Black calls, The Fascia Blaster? Well, I have been using it for just about a year now and my results prove what you say in this article is completely false. It not only has deleted 90% of my unsightly cellulite, it has rid me of neck wrinkles, jowls, and dimply arms. I have lost 10 solid pounds by doing NOTHING but using the Fascia Blaster. I have lost 3″ in my buttocks.
I’m not sure where you have got your information on this product to say the things you do, but there are 328,000 members (only women) on a Facebook page that share their stories, concerns, questions and their before and after photos. Sure there are a few negative reports but most from my opinion are women like yourself that either want a quick fix to their 30+ year old issues or who have never used the product for more then a few times. I love the Fascia Blaster and when people say to me, YOU LOOK AMAZING! I tell them what I’ve been doing. By the way, I’m 64 years old.
Neck wrinkles and jowls gone? Another corporate troll my friends! If it seems too good to be true, IT IS.
I agree with you Debra Herrera. I already commented but have had similar results. But I mainly use d my blaster to heal my plantar fasciitis and hip pain. But it does wonders for my face and I have never had smoother firmer akin. I’ll be 50 in July. NO TROLLS HERE. Just truth.
Hi there. I HAVE used the fascia blaster. I did WAAAY back when – back when Ashley was encouraging everyone to bruise themselves because that meant “it was working” so literally women would post pictures, proudly displaying their bruises that resembled domestic violence or a car crash. I was one of those people who she tricked. My stomach cannot be fixed without plastic surgery and I am one of the LUCKY ones! Other women have experienced strokes, hormonal issues, scar tissue, crepe skin, prolapsed uterus, new allergic reactions, etc. etc. if you are still using this I would caution you against it as the negatives far outweigh any “potential positives”.
I have to agree to disagree with this article about the Fascia Blaster and Ashley Black.
First of all, even skimming through the website you know that fascia blasting with varicose veins is an absolute No No! Contraindicated!!
That being said; these tools and techniques, if done correctly, can produce amazing results!! I absolutely love my fascia blasters and have never been in better shape. It’s not about weight for me, it’s been amazingly effective on areas of my body that were tight, chunky, and painful.
I read, researched, watched every you tube video, pro and con and choose to boldly move forward. This magic wand is awesome! Don’t knock it till you try it. But honestly try it… My two cents. Take good care.
I am so happy to see an article that addresses some of the negative side affects to those things! I never bought one because I imagined the unsightly bruising I would develop with vigorous use (which seems to be encouraged), and I am not necessarily prone to bruising easy. Thank you for this helpful post.
About varicose veins, This is what Ashley Black says in her book (which she calls the instruction manual, but you have to buy it separately!)
“Veins….You can blast lightly over the area and go hard around it!” Her ONLY caveat is “Don’t take a huge varicose vein and go ballistic” What is a new blaster supposed to glean from that!? That it’s ok to blast varicose veins, just don’t go ballistic, whatever ‘ballistic’ means?
Ms Black changes her protocol so often that no one truly knows what they are supposed to be doing. Her videos are amateurish, poor quality and hap hazard. How is anyone supposed to know what they’re doing and whether or not they’re doing it right?
I am amazed that she still has people that try to defend her, are you really that gullible?
Hi Sarah,
You mention you had not seen the warnings. Well they are there, but very well hidden under her lLegal link – ashleyblackguru.com/terms/ – on her Ashley Guru page. The terms and conditions (which SHOULD BE VISABLE when a person try’s to buy the product) include MANY contradictions including not blasting vericous veins. As you look at the legal terms, I hope you notice that the company leaves all responsibility on the user and reserves the right to change the “Legal Use” without notifying anyone. Kinda terrifying to contemplate…
I seriously considered purchasing the product and did my due diligence. Spent a lot of time doing so. But, fininding anything negative about the product is hard to find. The Today Show spot with a Doctor’s interview of it being “No Harm Medicine” along with Today show’s staff doctor (my terminology) seeming endorsement for the product is disturbing in light of what has now come to light,
I personally contacted Ashley’s Company about use of their product. They told me it was safe to use all over my body (This conversation happened after her first Legal Terms I never saw when I first contacted them. After I was directed to where her legal terms could be found and then again questioned the company about use of it I was told – “It safe for use by HEALTHY PEOPLE”
That is telling about Ashley Black’s safety of her own tool. (Interestingly, I Messanger contact ability with Ashley Black Guru has be removed, but I screen shot the conversation…)
Did you know tha the FDA did a VERY THROUGH Investigation of Ashley Black’s company, product, marketing policies and cited her of violating EVERY FDA code? The worst (in my opinion) being that she is actually marketing her product IN VIOLATION of FDA standards. To market the product they way she is, would include submitting a form with 90 days advance notice of intent to market that would include proof of safety of use.
IF that code had been followed, the severe harm this device has done to people would have been avoided.
I really appreciate your article and I hope I haven’t been to wordy… I have that habit… But, you do seem interested and I felt you might make good use of the information.
Thanks! Carol
On July 9th of 2017 a site on YouTube called the reveal posted a video of her blasting a varicose vein on her leg. She lightly did it but she said to do it for 15 minutes. When I watched it I cringed. I think the main video that clip in the video is now gone from her channel.
Also if any one from her team is reading this why aren’t any of you being truthful to her that she looks so much bigger now and if she were to be doing everything her and her followers are saying to do she shouldn’t be. I’m sorry she said she’s on hormones but one has to wonder if blasting often causes hormone issues & weight gain. I’m glad I didn’t purchase one. I went to her beginning videos when she looked fit then compared them to now and said no thanks. She has Julie on her YouTube videos who’s fit and slender promoting. I would have bought it if it was her doing all those exercise videos. Then I’d be sold! Ps. Any nay sayer who leaves a comment that says oh she’s over 40 it’s normal to have weight gain but if your magic stick really detoxed one would then be balanced without hormone issues?
Weight gain and fascia blasting are two completely different things! The fascia blaster doesn’t promote or advertise weight loss. Gaining weight over several years or even a decade is natural, especially for women over 40 it doesn’t mean the device doesn’t work properly. This tool is supposed to be for cellulite, loose and saggy skin, pain, migraines, tightening and firming the skin and inflammation. No where on the site or advertisement of this device have I ever seen anyone claim or state this device will help with weight loss. So…for you to sit there and bash a woman and state you wouldn’t buy it because she’s bigger now then she was a decade ago shows not only your ignorance but your lack of being able to uplift other women. I personally hope I look as good as she does at her age. She’s nowhere near fat or “big”. I’ve gained around 60-70 pounds in the last 6-7 years and honestly don’t know how or why. I barely eat, I drink nothing but water and yet I steadily am getting bigger and bigger. I’ve always been a size 4-5 and now in my eyes I’m huge and miserable but in others I’m not. I’m getting older and that’s what the doctors and everyone tells me and with age comes weight gain unless you have money abuse can afford lifts, tucks, auctions and all of the beauty procedures to make women look model perfect. I say we embrace aging and support women in stead of tearing them down. Ashley Black is a gorgeous woman with a beautiful figure. I haven’t tried her products yet, but I’ve researched them and known people who have had great experience with them. This is like many other products, some people may have amazing results while others may not. Fascia is important and when done properly with the correct amount of pressure this device is wonderful. However, when done wrong and used work too much pressure and aggression it can damage you. It also should be used when the area has been heated and the area needs to be oiled or wet so the device glides smoothly. If you’re looking to lose weight this device doesn’t do that. It can help you lose inches by tightening loose skin, but that’s it.
Great article Sarah. You are 100% right about the corporate trolls. One of these ladies is actually the unacknowledged administrator of an official fasciablaster group. She posts videos , articles and comments and advertises the inventor’s book and tools.
The ones posting positive reviews are the gurus little minions! Once again they come up full force lol
So funny
Yes indeed. Usually astroturfed comments are deleted on this blog (clearly stated in the comment policy), but I posted these few to show you all that these corporate trolls are everywhere posing as regular people trying to preserve profits of dangerous gadgets, drugs, alternative health snake oil and processed foods! They are all over social media too, so beware!
When in doubt, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and always read BOTH SIDES ideally with no preconceived ideas and without an “I’ve already made up my mind” type of mindset. Hard to do at first, but gets way easier after you do it for awhile 🙂
When this tool first came out, we were told that it was fine to go over veins and that bruising was a sign it was “working.”
The rules changed regularly too such as “go to pain level of 7 out of 10 and go hard and fast,” which then changed to “go lightly to pain level of 3”. This tool has has caused me nothing but pain and long term problems.
I am so sorry Tabby! I hope this article can help prevent suffering to other women who might otherwise have no idea of the contraindications.
Exactly! Have had the same experience.
Hi Sarah. Thank you very much for posting this! I regularly see a physiotherapist who is trained in deep tissue massage, nerve ‘flossing’ and myofascial release. I have one of the many types of cancer (currently dormant) so initially I was a bit worried about making any rogue cells travel somewhere else! I didn’t think about the varicose veins (which the physio knows about anyway) but I’ll bear it in mind!