How to Get Rid Of Cellulite on Thighs and Bum {7 Remedies that Work}

In a woman’s life journey, the topic of cellulite, what causes it, and its removal are likely to come up frequently.

This usually happens when one starts noticing existing or developing skin conditions like stretch marks and cellulite.

While cellulite and stretch marks are completely harmless, many people are bothered by their appearance and may be seeking ways to get rid of cellulite on thighs and bum.

There are several ways to get rid of cellulite. By the end of this article, you will be able to figure out whether you should workout to get rid of cellulite or use creams, dry brushing, or even lose weight, based on the pros and cons of each method.

What is cellulite?

The Mayo Clinic defines cellulite as a harmless dimpled skin condition most common in women, often found on the abdomen, legs, thighs, stomach, arms and hips. Cellulite is also known as orange peel or cottage cheese skin.

What causes cellulite?

Experts have not been able to identify what really causes cellulite, but they have found several contributing factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and gender.

Cellulite develops when the fat layer beneath the skin builds up and pushes through the skin, giving it the dimpled and lumpy appearance that you eventually see on the legs, thighs, etc.

Gender

The distribution of body fat in women is different from that of men. Women have a higher body fat percentage than men.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Women’s Beauty, cellulite affects up to 80% of young women.

Women store fat around the thighs, buttocks, and hips, which is why cellulite in these areas is more common in women than in men.

Generally, men store around the abdomen, making it less likely for them to have cellulite on legs and thighs.

Genetic predisposition

Genetics are another cause of cellulite, and I can testify! 

I come from a line of women who have had cellulite. My grandmother has cellulite. My late mom had cellulite.

I have had cellulite since I was in high school. My teenage daughters, who are perfectly in shape, also have cellulite.

This goes to show that women with low body fat can have cellulite—it is not really a ‘you have cellulite because you are fat’ kind of thing.

Sometimes, no matter how skinny or fit you are, you will have cellulite simply because it runs in the family!

Lifestyle changes and weight gain

Lifestyle changes and diet often lead to weight gain. When a person gains weight, fat tissue increases in areas such as the hips, buttocks, arms, or legs. Cellulite in these areas will become quite noticeable.

The diet also plays a role in how visible your cellulite might be.

For instance, my cellulite dramatically flares up when I consume bread, dairy, and a lot of processed sugar. 

My thighs practically look like a block of cottage cheese when I overindulge in these three things.

Cutting out or down on dairy, processed sugar, and bread incredibly reduces the appearance of cellulite on my legs and buttocks.

*This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.

Essential reading:

• Best ways to get rid of stretch marks
• How to get rid of bloating
• Foods that cause bloating

How to get rid of cellulite on thighs and bum

Just as there are expensive treatments that claim to get rid of cellulite, there are also cheaper remedies that have worked for me and many other women.

The cellulite remedies listed below may look easy, but they will significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite and leave your skin smooth and soft in a matter of weeks

1. Dry Brushing

Dry brushing for cellulite involves gentle brushing of dry skin in slow circular movements with a small to medium-sized non-synthetic brush.

Dry brushing to get rid of cellulite works by increasing blood circulation, which in turn makes the skin plump and helps the body get rid of toxins.

Dry brushing is not a permanent solution to cellulite. It will reduce the appearance of cellulite for as long as you use it.

If you’re willing to fight the orange peel this way, deep massage the brush into cellulite.

Dry brush for cellulite using circular motions for 5-10 minutes before taking a shower; thereafter, massage the area with oils like Bio-oil to avoid drying out your skin.

For faster results, perform dry skin brushing as often as possible, preferably twice a day. You should start seeing a reduction in the appearance of cellulite on your butt, legs, or thighs within two weeks.

Best Dry Brush for Cellulite

The best dry brush for cellulite is one with natural bristles. 

There are lots of affordable brushes. However, you have to tread carefully when buying a brush for cellulite.

Do not buy brushes with synthetic material, as this will be harsh on your skin and may cause more damage instead of fixing the problem.

You can check out this quality exfoliating brush with firm natural bristles for cellulite.

If you have broken skin or varicose veins, do not dry brush those areas, as doing so may cause further damage.

2. Creams & Bio-Oil for cellulite

Some creams and oils, like Bio-Oil, have been known to improve the skin over time and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Bio-Oil works like magic to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but what most people aren’t aware of is that Bio-Oil can also be used for cellulite.

The results are even more amplified when you combine Bio-Oil, a clean diet, and regular exercise to fight cellulite on the bums, thighs, tummy, and arms.

The active ingredients in Bio-Oil break down the fatty cells by deeply penetrating the skin during application.

Other lotions that are known to work for cellulite and stretch marks are coconut oil, Anti-Cellulite Treatment Massage Oil by New York Biology, and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter.

How to use Bio-Oil for cellulite

Massage Bio-Oil to the affected areas in a circular motion twice a day (morning and night, preferably).

Results will vary from one person to the next, but after three months of consistent use, you will see significant results.

3. Resistance training to get rid of cellulite

Many women fear lifting weights because they believe this will make them look bulky, but that is far from the truth. 

Weight training significantly reduces body fat percentage and increases muscle mass.

Since cellulite is fat deposits that are unevenly distributed, resistance training is the best way to get rid of cellulite, as it burns fat and strengthens muscles.

While you should never aim to spot and reduce fat, you can definitely target areas prone to cellulite to reduce its appearance.

To get rid of cellulite on legs, aim for four to six weeks of consistent leg exercises, at least twice a week.

Squats, lunges, and deadlifts are some of the most effective exercises that will banish cellulite on legs, thighs, and bum.

Follow this leg workout plan for the best workout to get rid of cellulite:

• Ultimate 30 day leg challenge that works like crazy
• 6-week leg workout plan for toned legs and thighs

Treatments to get rid of cellulite

If you are looking for treatments that claim to get rid of cellulite fast and have the money to cover the costs, you should check out FDA-approved treatments like Aveli, Resonic, and more.

Here is what you need to know about how the treatments work and how much they cost.

4. Aveli cellulite treatment

Aveli cellulite treatment is one of the newest non-surgical procedures that the FDA has approved to treat cellulite in women between the ages of 25 and 45 who have not had liposuction in the cellulite affected area.

This cosmetic procedure is a once-off session that is performed using local anesthesia. The session will set you back by about $3,500 and $4,500, as medical insurance does not cover this treatment. 

The Aveli cellulite treatment uses a handheld device to make small incisions on the area affected by cellulite. While patients experience some discomfort afterward, the pain should go away after 2-3 days.

People who have had Aveli cellulite treatment say that they start to see results 90 days after the procedure.

5. Resonic cellulite treatment

After being cleared by the FDA, Resonic treatment has been making waves since entering the cellulite treatment market.

The difference between Resonic and other aesthetic treatments is that Resonic does not claim to get rid of cellulite.

Instead, Resonic promises to effectively reduce the appearance of cellulite by smoothing down the skin.

Resonic cellulite treatment is a one-hour single session that requires no surgery and leaves no bruising.

There seems to be no fixed price for Resonic’s cellulite treatment, as each medical practice offers various financing options.

Not everyone is a perfect fit for the Resonic cellulite treatment. If you are curious and want to know if this is your answer to conquering all your cellulite problems, you can take a quiz on their website or book a consultation with a participating physician in your area.

6. Qwo cellulite treatment and cost

Unlike Aveli and Resonic cellulite treatments, which use a handheld device and require only a once-off treatment, Quo cellulite treatment involves three rounds of injections in a space of 3 weeks.

Quo cellulite treatment is also approved by the FDA and costs around $2000-$3,000, depending on the severity of your cellulite.

In terms of side effects, some women who have had Quo cellulite treatment have complained about bruising and staining.

It is not clear how long the bruising remains visible, but if you are intrigued about Quo, you can read some of the reviews on Real Self.

7. Baking soda and salt for cellulite

One of the latest TikTok trends is drinking baking soda and salt for cellulite. This is done by adding a pinch of pink Himalayan salt and baking soda to a glass of water.

Ladies who have been drinking this concoction argue that dehydration causes the appearance of cellulite. They claim that after 5 weeks of drinking the mixture, body cells are hydrated, and this reduces cellulite.

However, according to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), dehydration increases fat production but does not directly cause cellulite.

ACE further explains that the circulatory system’s ability to breakdown fat is affected when a person is dehydrated.

The before and after photos from two big TikTok accounts tha show that baking soda and sea salt works for cellulite.

@yodatheycallme #greenscreenvideo @fmsmith319 @themrspedersen 2 bucks will get rid cellulite w/ salt and baking soda #albertgramoff #cellulite ♬ original sound – Albert Gramoff

However, experts have debunked the myth that drinking baking soda and salt gets rid of cellulite on legs or any other place.

Final Thoughts

These are the proven ways that work best to reduce the appearance of cellulite on the butt, thighs, and legs. Strength training, Bio-Oil for cellulite, and cutting back on foods that cause cellulite are some of the remedies that work the best.

However, if you have the cash to splash on laser treatment, take that route because research has shown that less invasive laser treatments greatly improve the appearance of cellulite.

You should also remember that you cannot completely get rid of cellulite, but you can significantly reduce its appearance to a point where it is barely visible.