THEN THERE’S THIS

Can you reshape your face by reshaping your fasciae? Fasciae are sheets of connective tissue that provide the body with structure. The makers of claw-shaped tools like the FaceBlaster ($130) from Ashley Black, author of The Cellulite

Myth: It’s Not Fat, It’s Fascia, claim that they loosen fascial adhesions—when skin or muscle sticks to fasciae—at home, reshaping and contouring the body in ways that dry brushing and foam rolling can’t. “Fascia is like a hair tangle,” says Black. “Rolling over it is like using the back side of a brush; it’s not going to get the knot out.” Scientifically, though, the jury is out. Professional therapists can manipulate fascial adhesions through therapies like massage, but this treatment’s efficacy is based only on subjective evidence, like how a patient feels (less sore or stiff). “It’s incredibly difficult to measure,” says Greg Wells, assistant professor in the faculty of kinesiology and physical education at the University of Toronto. While there is no conclusive research, and Wells says it would be very challenging to achieve proper fascial release yourself, the results on social media from Black’s tool are compelling. THE TAKEAWAY Try this at your own risk.