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How to tackle cellulite, according to dermatologists and plastic surgeons
Skip the bogus creams and try these expert-approved methods instead
Hi, living, breathing human with cellulite – welcome to the club! ICYDK, the majority of adult humans have cellulite, according to dermatologist Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, meaning this is a pretty popular club – and membership is nothing to be ashamed of or feel uncomfortable about. That said, it's also totally okay to be looking into how to get rid of cellulite. We all have our preferences!
There are certain creams, products and practices that can help improve its appearance (as detailed below), but sorry to be the bearer of bad news... you can't get rid of cellulite with a cream or a massage technique alone. Tech, on the other hand, has come a long way, and cellulite reduction treatments are offered in-clinic with varying results, procedure lengths, and price points. Take a peek below at the options dermatologists and plastic surgeons actually recommend to get rid of cellulite, along with info on what cellulite actually is and what works to smooth it.
What is cellulite?
Cellulite is the name for the dimpled or lumpy skin that’s commonly found in the thighs, butts, stomachs, hips, and arms. Cellulite forms when fat cells beneath your skin push up against your it's connective tissues – known as fibrous bands, or septa – causing the skin to dimple or pucker, explains board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD. Everyone has these fat cells, regardless of what you eat or how frequently you exercise; cellulite is completely harmless and extremely common, says Dr. Ip.
Though everyone and anyone can get cellulite, it’s especially common in women because their fat cells are contained in “chamber-like structures that favour the expansion of fat tissue into the dermis,” says Dr. King. Meanwhile, men have crisscrossing connective tissue structures, making it more difficult for fat to push through and create dimpling.
It's also important to note; “Anyone can have cellulite regardless of the number on the scale,” says Dr. Ip, because cellulite is related to many factors. The other determining factors include hormones, genetics, age, pregnancy, activity, and how much collagen and estrogen you naturally have in your skin.
Can you get rid of cellulite with exercise?
No, you can't get rid of cellulite with exercise. Losing fat and gaining muscle long-term will likely make your dimpling less prominent or noticeable, but this still won't entirely "get rid of" cellulite for most people.
Does diet affect cellulite?
Though a higher body fat percentage can make your cellulite more prominent (relative to you only), your eating habits aren't responsible for whether or not you develop cellulite. That being said, loading up on nutrition-rich foods definitely won't hurt if you're trying to smooth your cellulite, says Dr. Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatologic surgery. She suggests watching your sodium intake, which can lead to puffiness and water retention, and eating plenty of fibre and whole grain foods (think: bran and oat cereals) that improve circulation. Don’t forget to load up on fruits and veggies, too.
“You want to stay adequately hydrated since cellulite can appear worse in a dehydrated state,” says Dr. Engelman. “Dehydration can cause the skin to become thinner and weaken, and when the skin is thin, it tends to show more cellulite.”
Treating cellulite in clinic
Cellulaze
If you want to get rid of cellulite and help firm your skin at the same time, opt for a laser treatment like Cellulaze. It uses a laser fibre (that’s inserted directly beneath your skin) to heat up and break the bands surrounding fat cells, while also triggering collagen production for tighter, more elastic skin. You only need one treatment to start seeing results (!).
Emtone
Emtone is a professional device that combines radiofrequency (which internally heats your skin to encourage collagen production) with acoustic waves (which boosts circulation and aids in lymphatic drainage) to help thicken and tone your skin, making cellulite less noticeable. It also claims to reduce fatty deposits and relax the fibrous structures that cause the puckering.
Treatments are quick – roughly 20 minutes for the procedure itself – and you’ll need around four treatments spaced a week apart. Emtone also has the ability to slightly tighten and firm your skin if you’re dealing with laxity too, such as from weight fluctuations or age.
Treating cellulite at home
There are no ways to naturally 'get rid' of cellulite at home, and it’s not possible to get rid of cellulite using only natural, topical ingredients, either. Body creams and body scrubs that contain caffeine can make your skin look temporarily smoother, while retinol body lotions can help exfoliate your skin over time (which you can read more about below) – but neither is going to truly get rid of your cellulite.
That said, there are a handful of tips and tricks you can use to help temporarily lessen the appearance of cellulite and as long as you go into the process with realistic expectations, they’re not a bad place to start.
Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse 120ml
There's no quick way to get rid of cellulite, but applying some fake tan can help disguise your dimples a little bit and make your skin look more smooth and glowy. I'm a huge fan of Loving Tan's Bronzing Mousse because it comes in a variety of shades that work for a handful of skin tones (see: medium for fair to light skin, dark for light to medium skin, ultra dark for medium to tan skin, and platinum for tan to deep skin).
It gives an opaque colour that isn't streaky or sticky – massage it in with a mitt, let it sit overnight, and then rinse in the morning. My cellulite looks a bit less noticeable, and my glow is un-freakin'-matched.
U Beauty The Sculpt Arm Compound 120ml
Even though creams and lotions won’t make your cellulite disappear, they can help temporarily smooth and tighten your skin – especially if you pick a formula that’s spiked with caffeine, which slightly “dehydrates fat cells, making them less visible,” says Dr. King.
So, if you can’t swing a professional treatment, try massaging this cream wherever you have cellulite. Just note: “It needs to be applied daily,” says Dr. King, “and the effect will be modest at best.” Basically, don’t expect miracles, but you may see a temporary, more even look on your skin. FWIW, I massage this cream all over my thighs and arms every morning, and I've noticed my skin is so much firmer, which has helped my dimpling look less prominent.
Paula's Choice Retinol Body Treatment
Board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, also suggests incorporating a retinol body lotion or cream into your cellulite-minimising routine, like this non-greasy, antioxidant-rich formula from Paula’s Choice. As Dr. Ip explains, “Retinol helps increase collagen and thicken your skin,” working to plump and smooth your skin every time you use it. Massage this cream on your cellulite at night, and make sure to layer on sunscreen in the morning (retinoids increase your sensitivity to the sun).
Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub 200g
If you don’t have time to apply a cream every night, add a caffeine-filled body scrub to your shower routine. When used topically, a ground coffee exfoliant can temporarily minimise the appearance of cellulite, thanks to the fact that coffee contains caffeine, which temporarily tightens and plumps your skin. “Caffeine can also dehydrate fat cells so they deflate, which then makes your cellulite look a little less obvious,” says Dr. Gohara.
Just remember: Anything that touches your skin for a few seconds (see: cleansers and body washes) doesn’t have a tonne of efficacy, so don’t rely on this scrub alone for your cellulite-smoothing goals. Instead, incorporate this scrub into your routine for a little extra oomph.
Rosena Dry Brushing Body Brush
You know those wooden dry brushes you’ve always considered buying? Some pros say they help reduce the appearance of your cellulite. “Daily body brushing and massaging can jumpstart your lymphatic drainage,” says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, which can potentially lead to smoother, less puffy skin. But, Dr. King says, it’s important to remember that dry-brushing “won’t change the anatomy that is creating cellulite.”
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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