An important PSA for ya: Cellulite is 100 percent normal—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having it, loving it, or, yup, even wanting to get rid of it. It's your body, and your comfort. Here’s the thing though: If you aren't a fan of your cellulite, you need to know that you can’t technically get rid of it at home. No matter how many cellulite creams and exfoliating scrubs you use on the daily, you can’t actually make your dimples disappear without an in-office treatment with a dermatologist.
Cellulite forms when fat cells beneath your skin (which, BTW, everyone has, regardless of what you eat or how frequently you exercise) push up against your skin's connective tissues, causing your skin to dimple or pucker. And while you can’t fix that process with a topical cream or lotion, you can temporarily smooth and tighten your skin with the right ingredients. Ahead, I talked to two dermatologists to figure out everything you can—and can’t—do when it comes to working with your cellulite, starting with:
Can you actually get rid of cellulite?
Sorry, but no—at least not at home.“Think of a button creating a pucker on a couch cushion,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale. “To get rid of the pucker, you have to go deeper and cut the cords.” And no, that cord-cutting can't happen at home. That said, there are a handful of tips and tricks that help lessen the appearance of cellulite in the short term—and as long as you go into the process with realistic expectations, they’re not a bad place to start.
Do me a favor, though, and pls remember again that cellulite is super common and natural—like 93-percent-of-all-women common, says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City—and there's no shame in wanting to keep or get rid of it. But if you're looking for ways to minimize the appearance of your cellulite,keep reading for Dr. Gohara and Dr. Engelman's tips, including OTC creams, coffee scrubs, and more.
1.Use caffeine creams to minimize cellulite
Even though creams and lotions aren’t going to make your cellulite disappear overnight, they can help temporary smooth and tighten your skin—especially if you pick a formula that’s spiked with caffeine. “Caffeine causes the blood vessels to constrict and the fat cells to temporarily shrink,” dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD, has told Cosmo.
This one from Dr. Brandt is loaded with caffeine and green coffee and is super easy to massage into your skin. And, hey, at the very least I’ll leave your skin softer and smoother.
2.Try QWO to minimize cellulite
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to cellulite, you do have some options when it comes to in-office treatments. This new treatment called QWO is the only FDA-approved injectable that targets dimpling in the buttocks—and it legit works. Your derm will set up a specific treatment plan depending on the amount and severity of your cellulite (it isn't a one-and-done deal, unfortch) but most people see visible results in 10-ish weeks.
The downtime is v minimal too—just expect some bruising and redness in the treatment site post-application. And as with any treatment, make sure you first book a consult with your dermatologist to determine if you're a good candidate, k?
3.Start dry brushing to minimize cellulite
You know those wooden body brushes you've always considered buying? Yeah, they're kinda clutch if you're trying to minimize the appearance of your cellulite. “Daily body brushing and massaging can jumpstart lymphatic drainage, which helps to eliminate toxins that can accumulate in the fat layer, leading to inflammation and ultimately more pronounced cellulite,” says Dr. Engelman.
Pro tip: Dry brushing requires dry skin, so it’s best to try it before you jump in the shower—and don’t forget to slather on a creamy moisturizer when you hop out.
4.Try a retinol body cream to minimize cellulite
In addition to regular dry brushing, Dr. Gohara suggests incorporating a retinol body cream into your cellulite-minimizing routine. The collagen-building ingredient works to plump and smooth your skin every time you use it, and this non-greasy, antioxidant-rich formula from Paula's Choice is a great formula to start with.
Psst: If you're applying this bb in the day, just make sure you're layering it with a healthy coat of SPF (which you already do everyday, right?), since retinol makes your skin extra sensitive to sunburns.
5.Use a coffee scrub to minimize cellulite
If massage nubs aren’t quite your thing, spring for a caffeine-filled body scrub and pay special attention to your cellulite. When used topically, a ground-coffee exfoliant can minimize the appearance of cellulite in two ways: (1) Massaging the scrub along your skin can help stimulate lymphatic drainage, and (2) 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.
6.Layer on a serum to minimize cellulite
PSA: Serums and topical creams can help reduce the look of cellulite, but you definitely shouldn’t expect any miracles. At best, they can help strengthen your skin, making your cellulite a little less noticeable. Dr. Engelman recommends Biotherm Celluli Eraser, which is formulated with caffeine and coralline extract, a marine algae extract that helps minimize fat cells.