How To Get Rid of Cellulite in 2023: 14 Tips from Dermatologists
Cellulite is the name for the dimpled or lumpy skin that’s commonly found on the thighs, buttocks, stomach, hips, and arms. Cellulite forms when fat cells beneath your skin push up against your skin’s connective tissues—known as fibrous bands, or septa—causing the skin to dimple or pucker, explains board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD. It’s important to note that everyone has these fat cells, regardless of what you eat or how frequently you exercise, and that 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 favor the expansion of fat tissue into the dermis,” says Dr. King. Meanwhile, men have criss-crossing connective tissue structures, making it more difficult for fat to push through and create dimpling.
Still, your body’s structure only plays a role in whether or not you develop cellulite. The other determining factors include hormones, genetics, age, weight, eating habits, pregnancy, activity, and how much collagen and estrogen you naturally have in your skin. Which, again, is why cellulite is so common in humans.
How to get rid of cellulite:
Here’s a rundown from the dermatologists and plastic surgeons on the best ways to get rid of cellulite, from temporary at-home options to semi-permanent in-office treatments.
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Disguise your cellulite with self-tanner
Credit: Loving Tan
ProsComes in multiple shades (medium, dark, ultra dark, and platinum)
ConsHas a pretty strong smell that lingers, in my experienceThere’s no quick way to get rid of cellulite, but applying some self-tanner 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 me an opaque color that isn’t streaky or sticky—I just massage it in with a mit, let it sit overnight, and then rinse in the morning. My cellulite looks a bit less noticeable, and my glow is un-freakin’-matched. THE REVIEWS: “I am so impressed that this tanning mousse because it doesn’t leave a sticky feeling or a strong odor like the rest of them,” one reviewer writes. “The color lasts for about a week, and I’ve noticed that it looks much more natural than some of the others I’ve tried. I love that I can sleep in it without feeling like I’m sticking to the sheets! Very happy with this product, and I will continue to purchase.”
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Massage daily with a caffeine cream
Credit: Courtesy Image
ProsSinks in quickly without leaving a residue, IMO
ConsNot moisturizing enough for very-dry skinEven 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. MY REVIEW: I use this cream all over my legs just before special events. It makes my skin look smoother and firmer as soon as I massage it on, but it doesn’t feel sticky when I’m ready to get dressed. This was so great before beach and pool days when I wanted a little boost to feel more confident.
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Try a retinol body cream
Credit: Courtesy Image
ProsSmooths texture with retinol
Leaves skin feeling moisturized, according to reviewers
ConsCan take 6+ months to see resultsBoard-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, also suggests incorporating a retinol body lotion or cream into your cellulite-minimizing 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).THE REVIEWS: “I have purchased three bottles of this over the past year, and I have seen a difference in the appearance in cellulite on the back of my legs,” writes one reviewer. “Obviously, for anyone buying, be aware I had better results because I was also dieting and working to not add to the problem. But I think my skin is firmer, and I am happy with this lotion.”
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Try QWO to minimize cellulite
Credit: Courtesy Image
One of the most popular cellulite treatments to date is Qwo, an injectable enzyme that “breaks down the septa bands that contribute to cellulite,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Alexis Parcells, MD. You’ll feel a slight pinch (similar to a Botox injection or a shot in general) and might experience some bruising, swelling, and soreness in the area for up to a week.You’ll likely need about three sessions to see full results, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $1,000 per treatment. Doctors can’t say with 100 percent certainty that your cellulite will never come back (thanks to genetics and weight fluctuations), but you can expect it to last significantly longer—think: years—than, say, Botox or face fillers.
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Try a coffee-based scrub
Credit: Courtesy Image
ProsReviewers say it doesn’t irritate their skin
ConsCan be messyIf you don’t have time to massage a cream on every night, add a caffeine-filled body scrub to your shower. When used topically, a ground-coffee exfoliant can temporarily minimize 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) don’t have a ton 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.THE REVIEWS: “This did a great job of smoothing my skin without drying it, and caffeine has firming properties that help reduce puffiness and the look of cellulite,” one tester writes. “A little goes a long way with this product. The coffee coconut fragrance is divine.”
- Look into Avéli for cellulite The newest procedure to get rid of cellulite is Avéli, a professional treatment in which a long probe is inserted into your skin to cut the connective bands that are causing the cellulite dimple. “It’s the only cellulite device that allows us to identify which of the septa under the skin are the culprits causing the dimple,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Camille Cash, MD, using a light on the end of the probe that allows your provider to see each band that’s causing the dimpling.You only need one hour-long treatment for your skin to look immediately smoother (and don’t worry, you’ll be numbed with local anesthetic), but it’s not cheap: You can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000, depending on your location and the provider you see. You might also experience some bruising and swelling afterward—and potentially some pain in the first 24 hours—but you should be able to resume normal activities within a week, says Dr. Cash. Just note that the treatment is so new that it isn’t widely available yet, so use the Avéli website to find a provider in your area.
- Dry brush to promote lymphatic drainage and exfoliation