How to Help Make Cellulite Less Visible

Co-authored by R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH

Last Updated: November 2, 2022 References

Have cellulite? Don't worry: Almost all women have it. However, few if any women want it. There are ways you can reduce the orange peel-like dimpling that occurs on the skin, usually on the legs, thighs and butt. It’s a myth that cellulite is always tied to obesity. Some thin people still have cellulite. However, your chances of cellulite grow with obesity, so exercise and choosing a healthier diet matters.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Cellulite Less Obvious

1
Get a tan. Whether it’s a spray tan or a natural one, tanned butts and legs don’t show cellulite as much.
- If you already have a dark complexion, you’re lucky because darker skin doesn’t show cellulite as much as pale skin does.
- Always take caution when tanning, though. The sun’s rays can lead to skin cancer, so it's usually a better choice to get an authentic looking fake tan. There are many ways to do this: airbrush or booth spray tanning at a salon and home products such as foam, lotion, or spray.
- When applying tanning lotion, start by exfoliating the skin with a body scrub, as well as shaving any areas where you don't want hair. Then, using gloves, apply the lotion all over your body, starting with the head area, and taking care not to get it into your eyes. Apply petroleum jelly to your eyebrows to prevent them from becoming discolored.
- When spray tanning, it’s very important that you wear recommended protective gear (over eyes, nose, and other body openings) so you don’t ingest the tanning particles during the process.^{[1]
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  Research source} If using a booth, you will be instructed to turn inside the booth as a nozzle sprays you with the solution.
2
Start toning your legs. While genetics might make you more susceptible to cellulite, toned legs with strong muscle definition tend to show cellulite less.
- Run up a staircase, go for a long walk or jog, and use a stair master or elliptical trainer. All of these exercises and equipment target the leg and butt areas where cellulite resides.
- Contrary to popular myth, cellulite is not caused by toxins in the body. It’s caused by a lack of exercise and muscle tone, excess fat, poor circulation, genetics and hormones.
- Leg lifts and squats are among the exercises that can help you tone your legs.^{[2]
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3
Strength train. Although running and other cardio can reduce your weight, which can make cellulite less obvious, strength training will be best at getting rid of the dimpled look.
- Yoga routines help tone the body and reduce the appearance of cellulite, as do strength-training routines that build muscle.
- Studies have shown that people who combine cardio with strength training (weight lifting, some circuit training routines) added muscle in addition to losing fat, and improved the overall look of their bodies.
- As little as 15 minutes of cardio (such as running) and 15 minutes of strength training (such as weight lifting) three times a week can make a difference over time (at least eight weeks).
4
Try anti-cellulite clothing. It doesn’t work for everyone, but some clothing manufacturers make clothing marketed to reduce the look of cellulite.
- These pieces of clothing, such as capri leggings, are designed to generate heat that in turn helps break down cellulite cells.
- Elastic underwear has the opposite effect; it can make cellulite look worse. Wear non-elastic undergarments made of smooth fabric.
- Loose fitting clothing helps reduce cellulite because tighter clothing impairs blood flow throughout the day.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Improving the Diet to Reduce Cellulite

1
Drink a lot of green tea. Green tea has many health benefits. Some people drink it as part of weight reduction efforts, but it can also reduce the sight of cellulite.
- Green tea is a good choice for people who find it boring to drink plain water all day long. You can drink it cold or hot.^{[3]
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- Green tea doesn’t add many calories to your daily intake, but it’s very rich in antioxidants. The tea will increase your metabolism. Cellulite can occur with age because it’s associated with lower production of estrogen in the body. Drinking a lot of green tea can help reduce this effect.
- A faster metabolism means that your body should be able to expel toxins faster, which will reduce the look of cellulite.
2
Drink a lot of water. There are many, many proven benefits to guzzling water. You should drink water all day long. Stay hydrated.
- Hydrated bodies won’t have cellulite that looks so obvious. Other health benefits include shinier hair and younger looking skin. If you find drinking plain water too boring, add a lemon slice into it.^{[4]
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- It’s a good idea to drink two liters of water every day and to drink water constantly throughout the day.
- Drinking a lot of water can also help with weight loss, which can further reduce cellulite. That’s because when people feel hungry, sometimes it just means they are dehydrated.
3
Avoid sugary beverages. Drinking beverages loaded with sugar will probably make cellulite worse (not to mention it can increase your weight).^{[5]
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- That means you should avoid carbonated sodas but also be aware of drinks that have hidden sugars, such as fruit juices.
- Study labels. Some beverage companies are experts at packaging and marketing and they might make you think that energy or fruit drink is healthy – until you read the label and see that it’s loaded with sugar and carbs.
- It’s always better to choose water than sugary beverages. Even diet sodas aren’t great for the body because they have carbonation and chemicals.
4
Try natural remedies. There are many natural remedies that some people swear help with cellulite. Give one of them a try and see if they work for you.
- Refrigerate the residue from your coffee grinds (black coffee). Mix them with olive oil to create a scrub that you apply to the cellulite-impacted area.^{[6]
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- Use circular motions to apply the rub for about 15 minutes. Then, leave the grinds on your body for about 15-20 minutes more before washing them away. Cover and warm the region with shrink wrap.
- Instead of coffee grounds, you could use salt and grapefruit juice to create a similar rub that some people say helps with cellulite.
5
Eat healthier foods. Reducing the amount of toxins in your diet is good for many reasons. You will likely lose weight, be healthier, and your cellulite will reduce.
- Consume alkaline forming foods. Alkaline is found in fresh fruit and vegetables, which should make up the majority of your diet if you want to eat healthier.^{[7]
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- Sprinkle flaxseed on your breakfast to boost collagen growth. Sprinkle two tablespoons of it on oatmeal or yogurt.^{[8]
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  Research source} Fresh vegetable juicing is one way you can flood your body with healthy juice.
- Avoid eating processed foods as much as possible, especially foods that come in boxes and that are loaded with carbohydrates or sugar. Drink lemon juice and cayenne pepper three times a day.
6
Eat kelp. Kelp can help you lose weight as well as improve the appearance of cellulite. It contains a chemical found in green plants that helps the body burn fat.
- Purchase dried kelp and add it to stir fries, soup or salad. You can also ingest kelp vitamins.
- Consider kelp "sea vegetables." The kelp retains the minerals that are found in the ocean, making it very healthy for you.
- Kelp, sometimes called seaweed, also balances out the thyroid gland, improving your health. It's often found in Asian cooking.
7
Stay away from too much salt or sugar. Salt and sugar can lead to serious health problems, as well as obesity, which makes cellulite more obvious.
- Avoid eating too much refined salt. Crystal and sea salt are healthier. Refined salt dehydrates the body and leaches minerals out of it.
- Sodium also causes the body to retain fluids, making cellulite look worse. Sodium can harm your health.^{[9]
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- Try to limit your sugar consumption to 6 teaspoons a day and your salt consumption to 200 mg of sodium.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Chemical and Other Tools to Reduce Cellulite

1
Try lasers. Some beauty salons and plastic surgeons offer treatments for cellulite that use lasers and other mechanical devices.^{[11]
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Expert Source

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 19 February 2021}^{[12]
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- There are downsides to these methods. They are often expensive, they need to be repeated regularly, they have to be done by a trained professional and can be painful.
- One example: Cellulaze is a procedure approved by the FDA for cellulite. A small laser is inserted under the skin to break down the cellulite’s structure. Research carefully any such interventions and check into the licensing and ratings of the salon performing the functions, as well as the credentials and training of the person administering it.
- Laser toning and cold-laser massage are also techniques that are said to reduce the appearance of cellulite. The tri-active laser was approved by the FDA and claims to temporarily reduce cellulite’s appearance. Fillers are sometimes used to treat cellulite dimples.
2
Try a lotion. Many products advertise that they can help improve cellulite. Not all are that successful, but you could give them a try.
- You might find temporary help from ingredients that dilate blood and lymph vessels. Black pepper, green tea, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and ginkgo fall into this category, and some anti-cellulite creams contain them.
- Ointments containing forskolin (which comes from the herb coleus forskohlii) were found in one study to help women lose excess skin from their thighs.
- Skin firming cream can help build up collagen and diminish wrinkles. Some cellulite creams contain retinol, coenzyme Q10, and vitamin C. Major brands like Lancome, L’Oreal, and Nivea offer gels and lotions that are said to firm up the skin.
3
Massage the affected area. Not only do massages feel great, but they are also known to reduce the look of unsightly cellulite dimples.
- Use a body brush with boar or just stiff bristles in a circular motion while you take a shower. Or use a hand-held massagers. Apply the massage head to the areas with cellulite.
- Add a skin firming serum, body lotion or anti-cellulite gel before you apply the massaging motions. Cellulite is caused by fat deposits that push through the skin’s connective tissue, usually in the buttocks and thighs.^{[13]
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- Massaging the skin stimulates the lymphatic system that lies right underneath the skin’s surface. This circulates toxins and causes the body to release them more quickly. Add a few drops of olive and juniper oil to the skin before massaging it.^{[14]
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Warnings

Cellulite can never be definitively removed. It is a skin problem rather than a fat problem. 85% of women have cellulite. This is how their body is built.

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