Summary
In this wide-ranging beauty and culture episode of Fat Mascara, hosts Jenny and Jess discuss Fashion Week trends, fluoride in toothpaste, and Jenny's first-hand experience with the Balancer Pro pneumatic compression therapy device. Jenny tried the treatment at permanent makeup artist Dominique Basavi's new New York City studio, wearing inflatable pants and a shirt that sequentially squeeze from extremities inward for about 25 minutes per session. Jenny describes the sensation as similar to a massage chair but more constrictive, especially around the waist. She reports feeling lightheaded afterward and needing extra hydration. The hosts discuss the device's medical origins in lymphatic drainage for lymphedema and post-surgical recovery, as well as its athletic use for clearing lactic acid. However, Jenny concludes that while the practitioner and others have seen temporary inch loss from water weight, the results are short-lived and the treatment is more of a luxury novelty than a necessity. The episode also features an interview with Olivia Wilde about her skincare routine and role as True Botanicals spokesperson.
Key Points
- Jenny tested the Balancer Pro pneumatic compression device at Dominique Basavi's studio in NYC
- Treatment involves wearing inflatable pants or shirt for about 25 minutes per session, alternating days
- Device originated as a medical tool for lymphatic drainage in lymphedema and post-surgical recovery
- Also used by athletes to clear lactic acid after intense exercise
- Temporary inch loss from water weight is possible but results are short-lived
- Sensation described as constrictive, like a corset near the waist, with lightheadedness afterward
- Hosts conclude the treatment is more luxury novelty than necessary wellness tool
Key Moments
Compression therapy devices originated as medical tools for lymphatic drainage
Jenny explains that compression therapy devices like the Balancer Pro originated as medical devices for lymphatic drainage in lymphedema and post-surgical patients, and are also effective for clearing lactic acid in athletes, but questions their value for cosmetic inch-loss claims.
"Turns out, this is basically, these have been used before for medical devices for lymphatic drainage."
Temporary inch loss from compression is possible but short-lived
Jenny notes that while some users see temporary inch loss from water weight after consecutive days of compression therapy, the effect is essentially like shrink-wrapping the legs and does not produce lasting results.
"maybe you'll get, you have to use it a couple days in a row and you'd see some like water loss in inches. And she did see that. And other people do see that. But that's a lot of work to do just for like temporary shrink wrapping of your legs."
First-hand experience with the Balancer Pro compression device
Jenny shares her experience trying the Balancer Pro compression therapy device, which alternates pants and shirt sessions for about 25 minutes each, creating a sequential squeezing sensation from extremities inward.
"you may have seen not only me, but a bunch of other people lately trying out this compression therapy. It's called Bouncer Pro. Jess, you saw it."
