What should you know about hiding cellulite?

Cellulite usually reflects fat pushing toward the skin while fibrous connective bands pull in the opposite direction. Skin thickness, tissue structure, hormones, age and inherited traits can influence how visible the dimples look. It commonly affects the thighs, hips and buttocks and can be present at different body sizes. Weight change may alter its appearance, but cellulite is not simply a problem of excess weight.

Matte body makeup or self-tanning products can reduce contrast between dimples and surrounding skin; test products on a small area first. Clothing with a firm, opaque fabric can also make texture less visible. If you want a procedure, a clinician may discuss subcision to release selected tethering bands, radiofrequency skin tightening to heat tissue, RF microneedling, or carboxytherapy. Each targets a different tissue feature, and plans depend on skin quality, dimpling pattern and medical history.

Cellulite itself is usually a cosmetic concern. Seek medical advice for sudden one-sided swelling, warmth, redness, marked tenderness, skin breakdown or a rapidly changing area, because those findings may have another cause. Before treatment, discuss infection risk, skin sensitivity, medications and aftercare.

Ask which structural feature is causing your dimpling, what improvement is realistic, how the treatment will be performed, and how results and side effects will be monitored.