How To Get Rid of Cellulite

You may start to notice cellulite — the puckered and dimpled skin that shows up most commonly on thighs, hips and buttocks — as you age.

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“We know that age, genetics and lifestyle can predispose you to cellulite,” says dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. Sex plays a role, too: Women are much more likely than men to experience cellulite.

Wondering how to get rid of cellulite? There’s no proven method that can permanently remove or reverse this skin condition. But there are some steps you can take to temporarily minimize its appearance.

5 ways to help reduce cellulite

People of all shapes and sizes can have cellulite. While there’s nothing you can do to get rid of it, there are things that might help you avoid it, limit it or lessen its appearance.

1. Exercise regularly

A sedentary lifestyle, one where you sit a lot, can contribute to the formation of cellulite. Dr. Khetarpal suggests regular exercise, like:

“Exercise can increase your overall muscle mass and improve blood flow, both of which can help with the appearance of cellulite,” she notes.

2. Follow a healthy diet

Certain eating habits can increase your chances of developing cellulite, like eating a lot of ultra-processed foods high in fat, salt and refined sugars.

On the other hand, focusing on whole foods, good hydration and lots of healthy antioxidants can help:

Boost collagen
Combat inflammation
Improve circulation

Focus on a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains.

3. Skip the so-called cellulite creams

There’s no scientific evidence that caffeine creams, retinol or other topical treatments can permanently reduce cellulite.

Plus, some of these products have been found to contain ingredients that cause allergic reactions or a racing heart.

“Use caution if you decide to try them,” Dr. Khetarpal urges.

4. Be wary of spa or at-home treatments

There are a lot of claims about practices that can help get rid of cellulite, like:

But Dr. Khetarpal says there’s no scientific evidence that these treatments work.

“Most at-home therapies and spa treatments only diminish the dimples for several hours after treatment,” she notes. “Any improvements you may see won’t last long.”

5. Ask your doctor about in-office treatments

Your healthcare provider may recommend options that can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. They might suggest these procedures or others:

Acoustic wave therapy (AWT)

Acoustic wave therapy is a noninvasive treatment that uses high-frequency, low-intensity sound (pulse) waves to help treat light injuries like tennis elbow and bursitis. It’s also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

In one study, nearly 90% of people who had AWD for moderate or severe cellulite said they were satisfied with the results.

Laser treatments

The FDA has approved a procedure called Cellulaze^®, which uses a laser to target the tight bands of connective tissue under your skin that contribute to cellulite.

To better understand what that means, here’s an analogy: Think about what happens when you snag a thread on a sweater. When that thread pulls too tightly, it creates a little dent in the surface of the fabric. You can think of cellulite the same way. These tight bands beneath your skin pull down on it and cause dimpling at the surface.

“Laser treatment for cellulite is minimally invasive and aims to eliminate the fibrous cords that pull down on the skin,” Dr. Khetarpal explains. It’s been shown to help reduce the appearance of cellulite for a year or longer.

Subcision

Like Cellulaze, Cellfina^® is a treatment that targets the fibrous bands beneath your skin to help break up cellulite. But it does it in a different way.

Your provider inserts a small needling device into your skin to break up the cords of connective tissue underneath. When these cords release, your skin looks smoother.

The results may last up to two years.

Vacuum-assisted precise tissue release

Think of this treatment as a more targeted version of subcision.

Your provider still uses a small needling device to release the fibrous bands beneath your skin. But they also use a specialized vacuum to better target and stabilize the area of your skin that they want to treat.

Bottom line?

No magic solution can make cellulite disappear. Once it’s there, it’s difficult to get rid of — and it may not fade as much as you hope, even if you adjust your diet or start exercising more.

But if you’re considering a longer-lasting solution to cellulite, it’s especially important to do your homework. Start by talking to a dermatologist, who can help you investigate the options.

“There are minimally invasive options to treat cellulite that you can discuss with your provider,” Dr. Khetarpal reinforces. “But for optimal results, it’s best to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy BMI.”