7 Tips To Naturally Reduce Dimpled Skin On The Thighs

"Cellulite is caused by herniation of fat bulges between fibrous bands that connect your skin to the underlying tissue," explains board-certified dermatologist Anna Guanche, M.D., founder and director of Bella Skin Institute. "This tethering pulls down on your skin, causing the normal layer of fat beneath the skin to push upward. The result is a puckering appearance to the skin or skin dimpling." 

It's incredibly common, affecting up to 98% of women, and it can be genetic—meaning, you can have cellulite no matter what products you use on your skin, how old you are, or how much you weigh. However, it does tend to show up with age as the skin loses elasticity, Guanche notes. 

“It tends to appear in the hips, thighs, and buttocks, but may also occur on the lower abdomen, breasts and arms,” says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD. And, sorry to say, no treatment will 100% get rid of cellulite. It's a deeper skin concern that requires more invasive skin procedures to actually eliminate. And even then, there's a good chance that cellulite will start to reappear over time1. 

That being said, it is possible to somewhat ease the appearance of a dimpled surface. "There is no way to completely eliminate cellulite, but there are ways that you can reduce its appearance through a combination of treatments, diet, and exercise," says Guanche. 

Find all of those remedies below: 

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We’ll start with the popular query: Can topical creams reduce cellulite? The answer isn’t so cut and dried. 

Again, no topical can completely get rid of cellulite (there isn’t a treatment on this list that will, in fact), but certain formulas can tighten an uneven appearance and make cellulite less apparent. Some key ingredients include:

Pair those butters and oils with a stimulating lymphatic massage, and you might notice smoother skin even faster. The lymphatic system, you see, is a network of vessels and other organs that keeps body fluid in balance. Get this system moving—be it through exercise or manual massage—and you can improve circulation and flush out excess fluid, both of which can reduce the appearance of cellulite. 

"Lymphatic massage, done on a regular basis3, is a noninvasive treatment that can reduce the appearance of cellulite," says Guanche. "This technique helps the body to eliminate excess liquids and thereby minimize the appearance of fat."

It’s not a permanent solution, Garshick adds, but it can stimulate circulation and temporarily improve the appearance4 of skin. You can read more about lymphatic massage in our guide here, which includes a step-by-step, at-home tutorial.

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If you’d prefer to go the in-office route, certain treatments can help further stimulate lymphatic drainage and improve circulation. Some people find success with lasers or subcision techniques, but if you’re looking for a noninvasive method, you might want to try Endospheres therapy. It uses compressive microvibrations that generate a pulsed, rhythmic action on the tissues to specifically target cellulite, tone muscles, soothe inflammation, and contour the body. 

It helps circulate excess fluid, but it also optimizes your body’s natural blood flow. “It's not enough to simply drain the area of trapped fluid; we need to prevent the area from becoming hypoxic again so the cellulite does not return,” explains N’Crai Pittman, lead esthetician at Artemis Distribution. 

With Endospheres, “we are able to increase the vasculature of tissues by promoting collagen and making the skin more elastic, which will improve the appearance of cellulite,” she adds. It requires multiple sessions, and the exact number will vary from person to person, but it honestly feels quite lovely (like an intense massage), so I personally wouldn’t mind multiple rounds. 

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You can have cellulite no matter how much you weigh; however, changes in weight can make it more noticeable, as can an inactive lifestyle. After all, exercise gets your lymph flowing, and a healthy lymphatic system is necessary for a smoother skin appearance. 

Exercise (specifically resistance training) also helps strengthen muscle mass, “which may make the cellulite less visible,” says Garshick. Check out our expert-backed guide to strength training for a sample workout plan, if you need some exercise inspiration. 

According to Garshick, cellulite can form in response to lifestyle factors, like diet and dehydration. Specifically, "A diet high in sugar, [unhealthy] fat, or salt can make cellulite more apparent," Guanche states. 

On the other hand, a protein-rich diet has been associated with a reduction in cellulite on the thighs: ​​In one study, researchers split 43 women into three groups: One group followed a low-carb diet, the second group ate a high-protein diet, and the third group ate a control diet with a standard amount of macronutrients. The results? Women in group 2 had a lower amount of cellulite on the glutes compared to groups 1 and 3. 

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This is more of an aesthetic tip, but self-tanner can totally make uneven skin appear toned and smooth. These glow-enhancing formulas don’t only deliver a sun damage-free bronze: They can also cover up dark spots, balance skin tone, and make cellulite less apparent. 

Just make sure you have a high-quality formula with skin-loving ingredients (great news! We have a handy list here).