10 Treatments to Help You Get Rid of Cellulite

Frustrated by stubborn dimpling on your hips, thighs or bum? Cellulite affects most women after puberty, regardless of size, shape and fitness level. It's very common — affecting up to 90% of women — so you’re not alone.¹

The good news is that cellulite isn’t harmful and doesn’t require treatment. But if it undermines your confidence and you’d like to do something about it, there are several treatment options that can reduce its appearance.

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a collection of fat beneath the skin.² It's often described as cottage cheese or orange peel in appearance.¹ It occurs when fat pushes against the connective tissue beneath the skin, which is what causes the skin to look lumpy or dimpled.² Cellulite occurs more frequently in women than men and is commonly found on a person's hips, thighs and buttocks.¹

Cellulite grades

Cellulite is broken down into four grades:¹

• Grade 0 cellulite. No cellulite.
• Grade 1 cellulite. Skin is smooth when you stand up, but there is some dimpling when you sit down or apply pressure.
• Grade 2 cellulite. Dimples are visible when standing or sitting.
• Grade 3 cellulite. Severe dimples when standing up or sitting down. The skin may also have raised and depressed areas.

Common causes of cellulite

There's no definitive reason for why cellulite forms, but it is generally thought that causes include skin structure, hormones, genetics and age.¹ Weight can affect whether or not a person has cellulite, but even very fit people can have it.² Most women develop some amount of cellulite after puberty, and it's more common as people get older and the skin loses elasticity.¹

There are some contributing factors known to cause cellulite, including:¹

• High percentage of total body fat
• Lack of physical activity
• Unhealthy diet

While cellulite mostly affects women, around 2% of men also have it due to a reduction in male sex hormones from certain conditions or from hormone-affecting treatments for prostate cancer.¹

Cellulite vs. lipedema

Cellulite is different from a condition called lipedema. Lipedema causes excess fat to accumulate in the lower half of the body, usually in the legs. It can eventually cause pain and is often mistaken for obesity.³

Lipedema looks similar to cellulite on the legs, but the skin is also typically swollen and bruises easily. Cellulite is cosmetic and doesn't pose any health issues, while lipedema is a medical condition that can become a concern.³

10 Strategies to Tackle Cellulite

While there is no way to completely eliminate cellulite, there are several treatment options that can reduce the appearance of dimpling.²

1. Endermologie® Massage

Massage has been shown to be effective in the short term. There's a specific type of massage called Endermologie (also known as "lipomassage" or "endermology") that uses a machine to knead the skin and break up the connective tissue causing the dimples. See if a day spa near you offers this type of massage.⁴

2. Exercise and Strength Training

If you are overweight or out of shape, the most natural way to reduce cellulite is through exercise and strength training, which can help reduce fat and increase muscle mass.⁴

If you’re looking for exercises that target the most cellulite-prone areas, like the buttocks and thighs, consider adding squats, step-ups and glute bridges to your regimen. Always consult a doctor before starting to exercise.

3. A Healthy Diet

An unhealthy diet that includes alcohol and high-carb foods can cause or worsen cellulite.¹ On the flip side, following a healthy diet may help you avoid cellulite. Drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, try to maintain a healthy weight and avoid yo-yo dieting.⁵

4. Acoustic Wave Therapy

Acoustic wave therapy, also called acoustic subcision, is a non-invasive method that has been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite. This therapy allows the fat to settle more evenly by using ultrasonic waves to break down the fibrous tissue.¹

5. Cryolipolysis

Cryolipolysis, also known as fat freezing or CoolSculpting^®, is a non-surgical option designed for spot treatments. A handheld device freezes the layer of fat right below the skin. Fat cells are more susceptible to colder temperatures, so the injury from freezing triggers an inflammatory response and the cells die. The dead fat cells are then flushed from the body by the immune system.⁶

While CoolSculpting doesn’t break down the bands of fibrous tissue responsible for dimpling, reducing fat may improve the appearance of cellulite.⁶

6. Cellfina®

Cellfina is a vacuum-assisted precise tissue release treatment that’s FDA-approved to treat cellulite.¹ During the treatment, a dermatologist or cosmetic professional inserts a needle just under the skin to break up the bands that cause cellulite.⁴ This can be effective for up to three years.²

7. Laser Treatments

One of the most popular FDA-approved laser treatments is called Cellulaze®.² After numbing the area, a laser is injected under the skin.² Results can last up to 12 months, and the procedure has a very high satisfaction rate.¹

Other types of laser and light therapies have not been shown to be as effective for treating cellulite.¹

8. Radiofrequency Treatments

Radiofrequency treatments, such as VelaSmooth™ and VelaShape™, are FDA-approved cellulite treatments that use a combination of radiofrequency, infrared light and massage to reduce cellulite. Multiple treatments are usually needed to see results, and the results don’t last as long as other treatments.¹

9. Avéli®

Avéli is an FDA-approved manual subcision procedure for cellulite treatment on the thighs and buttocks. The surgeon inserts a thin cannula into the area that identifies and releases the bands of fibrous tissue that cause cellulite skin dimpling.¹

Most patients are satisfied with their results after a single treatment.¹

10. Topical Cellulite Treatments

Due to the lack of scientific proof that creams work to reduce cellulite, there are no FDA-approved topical treatments specifically for cellulite.¹ That said, certain skin care ingredients may offer benefits — like retinol, which helps increase collagen production and may have some effect on cellulite.⁴

Caffeine is another ingredient that may reduce the appearance of cellulite by dehydrating cells.⁴ Some topical products containing coffee by-products have been shown to have anti-cellulite effects.⁷

Cellulite Treatment Costs

Cellulite reduction is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it is not usually covered by medical insurance. Treatment costs vary depending on the provider’s experience and location, as well as the number of treatments needed.

Here are the average costs* for each of the professional treatments listed above:⁸

Treating Cellulite in a Way That Works For You

Cellulite can be a common concern for many women. While it doesn’t require treatment, its appearance can sometimes impact confidence. The good news is that there are options available, from lifestyle changes to professional treatments, that can help minimize its visibility. With the right approach, you can make a difference in reducing the appearance of cellulite to create smoother, firmer skin.

Financing Cellulite Treatment With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting cellulite treatment or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.