I tried the medisana VC 150 Cupping Massager for a month to tackle cellulite and I have thoughts (cloned)

I’ve tried plenty of beauty gadgets over the years, but the medisana VC 150 Cupping Massage Device is certainly one of the more unusual additions to my routine. Designed to combine vacuum cupping, EMS and red light therapy in one compact device, it promises to help stimulate connective tissue and leave skin looking and feeling firmer.

The gadget has been created to be used on face and body, with three cupping intensities and six EMS levels that can be adjusted depending on whether you're treating the body or face, and also what feels comfortable to you. It is also cordless and rechargeable via USB-C, making it very easy to use where you wish; be it bedroom or bathroom.

I bought it because it promises to help tackle cellulite. After using it for around a month, I can already see a difference in the elasticity of the skin on both my thighs and stomach, which are the areas I have been treating with it. However, I think it is important to be realistic about what this gadget can do.

The changes have been slow and steady rather than dramatic, and this certainly isn't a quick fix. It requires consistency and patience. Plus, the way to get the best results and boost the effects of the medisana cupping massage device is to follow a balanced diet, exercise regularly, drink water. This not a substitute for having a healthy lifestyle.

But, did it live up to expectations?

What I like about this medisana cupping massage device

The results are the biggest positive for me. After around a month of regular use, I can see an improvement in the elasticity of the skin on my thighs and stomach. It isn't a transformation overnight, but I do think there is a noticeable difference, which has made me want to keep using it.

The technology is also quite impressive for such a small device. The VC 150 combines vacuum cupping massage with EMS and red light therapy, so you're getting three different elements in one treatment. There are three cupping intensities, while the EMS has three levels for the body and three specifically for the face.

I like that you can adapt it to your own tolerance, too. Medisana recommends starting on the lowest setting and getting used to the sensation before increasing the intensity, and I would definitely agree with that advice. If you go straight in at a higher level, it can be quite a shock because the sensation is unlike anything you may have experienced before.

Another major plus is that while you do need oil or lotion for use, you don't have to buy a particular one. Unlike so many other gadgets of this kind, you can use whichever one you already have and don’t have to invest in something else to be able to get going with it.

That makes it much more accessible than some beauty devices that require you to continually buy a specific branded serum, gel or cream alongside them. Once you've bought the device, you can simply use it as part of your existing bodycare routine.

I also appreciate the release button. Cupping isn't something everyone will find comfortable immediately, so having the option to quickly release the suction if it becomes too much is reassuring.

The device itself is compact and cordless, weighing around 230g, and uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with USB-C charging. Medisana says it takes less than four hours to charge and provides more than 60 minutes of use, and I have found that to be accurate. It’s also easy to use, with the two different size cup heads ease to attach and change over as required.

What I don’t like about this medisana cupping massage device

The biggest downside is that it takes some getting used to. Medisana describes the experience as pleasant and relaxing, but I think that's stretching it slightly.

Initially, the sensation is unusual and can sometimes be uncomfortable. It isn't particularly painful for me and the discomfort is mild and brief, but I certainly wouldn't describe the treatment as a relaxing massage in the traditional sense. Plus, the sound of the machine working is fairly loud and quite distracting.

After around a week of using it, I became much more accustomed to the feeling and it therefore became easier to use. I still wouldn't call it relaxing, but knowing what to expect makes a big difference.

I also think the controls could be clearer. There are three lights to indicate the intensity level, but there isn't an obvious indication on the device itself to show which of the two settings you are using. That can make it difficult to tell exactly what mode you have selected at times.

And while I can see a difference after a month, I haven't been using the VC 150 massager for long enough to say what the long-term results will be. You can use this every day, and I have been doing so, but you shouldn’t expect a dramatic change in a matter of weeks.

My Verdict

Overall, I do like the medisana VC 150 Cupping Massage Device and think it is a worthwhile addition to a beauty routine if you're prepared to put the work in.

The most important thing to understand is that this isn't a quick fix. My results after a month have been gradual, but I can see a difference in the elasticity of the skin on my thighs and stomach, which is encouraging. I'm interested to see whether continued use makes that improvement more noticeable over time.

I also think the price makes it more appealing than some similar beauty devices. You're getting vacuum cupping, EMS and red light technology in one cordless device, with different settings for the body and face. More on that just below.

For me, the results so far make it worth continuing with. I wouldn't buy it expecting an instant transformation, but if you're willing to be patient and consistent, the medisana VC 150 could be an interesting way to give your existing bodycare routine an extra boost.

At the time of writing, this is on sale for £62 on Amazon, but has an RRP of £80.

• Please note that delivery charges may apply.