Treatment for Cellulite

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is cellulite?
  Cellulite is a common cosmetic skin condition that creates a dimpled or lumpy appearance, usually on the thighs, buttocks, hips, or abdomen. It forms when fat deposits push upward through fibrous connective tissue beneath the skin. An estimated 80% to 90% of postpubertal women have cellulite.
• What does cellulite look like?
  Cellulite appears as dimpled, uneven, or puckered skin, often described as an "orange peel" or "cottage cheese" texture. It is most common on the thighs and buttocks and may become more noticeable while standing or when the skin is pinched. Its severity ranges from mild textural changes to more prominent dimpling.
• What causes cellulite?
  Cellulite comes from the structural relationship among the skin, fat, and connective tissue. Fibrous bands called septae pull the skin downward while fat pushes upward, producing the characteristic dimples. Hormones, genetics, age, and lifestyle factors all contribute to its development.
• When should I see a doctor about cellulite?
  See a dermatologist or plastic surgeon if cellulite is causing significant cosmetic concern and you are interested in professional treatment options. Seek evaluation if you notice sudden or unusual changes in skin texture, as they may indicate another condition, such as lipedema.
• How is cellulite treated?
  Treatment options include subcision procedures that release the fibrous bands beneath the skin, laser and other energy-based therapies, acoustic wave therapy, and injectable treatments. Exercise and strength training do not directly treat cellulite, but they can make it less noticeable by improving muscle tone and reducing body fat. An evaluation can identify an approach based on the severity of the cellulite and your goals.
• Can cellulite be completely eliminated?
  Complete elimination is generally not achievable because cellulite is a normal physiological variation rather than a disease. Treatments can meaningfully reduce its appearance, with procedural results lasting from several months to several years. Cellulite often persists regardless of fitness level, and lifestyle changes alone do not directly treat it.
• What can I do at home to reduce cellulite?
  At-home measures do not directly treat cellulite, but they can change how it looks. Regular exercise, particularly strength training, may make it less noticeable by improving muscle tone and reducing body fat. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet may also help. Products containing caffeine or retinol can temporarily reduce its appearance, but the results are modest and short-lived.
• Do creams, massage, or radiofrequency reduce cellulite?
  These approaches affect different parts of the picture. The dimple itself comes from a fibrous band pulling the skin toward the muscle. Topical caffeine and retinoid products act on the skin surface and can improve its quality and firmness. Massage and acoustic devices produce temporary swelling that softens the depression for a day or two. Energy-based devices such as radiofrequency act more broadly on the tissue and have been described as producing temporary improvement in appearance. Exercise and weight management can improve the surrounding contour. None of these measures mechanically releases an individual fibrous band, which is the structure responsible for a tethered dimple.
• What does Aveli do for cellulite dimples?
  Aveli releases the tether beneath an individual cellulite dimple. It is a manual subcision device introduced through a small entry point and guided from within the tissue. The person treating you can confirm the position of each band and release it under direct control before moving to the next one. Aveli is an in-office procedure performed with local anesthetic, and bruising for a couple of weeks afterward is expected and normal. It addresses dimples specifically, not skin laxity or general fullness. We begin with an evaluation to determine whether dimpling, laxity, or contour is producing the appearance you want to change, then build the plan around that finding.