The fabulous team at Gloss Etc invited Qr8 Founder Dr Michele to comment on cellulite, and whether cellulite creams work.
Here’s her full thoughts on why it’s time we stopped talking about cellulite (TL;DR IT’S A NATURAL SKIN PHENOMENON) and wasting our time and money on creams to treat it!
What is cellulite?
‘Cellulite’ was created by the beauty industry around the late 1800s (it was invented as a ‘condition to encourage visits to the boom industry of the time – wellness spas).
As womens’ bodies became increasingly more visible with shedding of restrictive clothing, and the advent of visual media, cellulite (and our learned aversion to it) went mainstream – along with the endless lotions and potions that were invented to combat it.
In modern-day terms, cellulite was like a TikTok fad that swept the world – only it has never gone away. It’s a completely made up ‘disease’ that pathologises normal female bodies.
So, what is cellulite exactly? Well, it is just female skin, nothing more. Which is why almost every woman has it (and no-one has any idea why the VERY few who don’t get cellulite, don’t). Because of female hormones, women preferentially store fat in the lower portions of their bodies – hips, things and bottom. This fat is held in place by fibrous tissue that links the overlying skin and underlying muscle layers (think: mattress springs). Sometimes the fibrous lattice weakens (likely a result of hormonal influences), allowing fat to get pushed through the meshwork (think: playdough through a string bag) and form the characteristic cellulite ‘dimples’.
Men are rarely affected by cellulite as the architecture of the fibrous meshwork in their skin is different to women. So, cellulite is primarily caused by changes to the fibrous network in female skin; it’s not a fat issue (so treatments that target fat, like fat-freezing, won’t affect cellulite).
There are also no ‘toxins’ involved. There may be a genetic link but this is also unproven.
This explains why cellulite is so hard to get rid of! Topically applied cosmetic creams can’t reach, nor treat, the fibrous tissue network that lies deep within our skin.
Do cellulite creams do anything at all to reduce cellulite?
Repeat after me: Cellulite creams do not work. Multiple high-quality scientific reviews have concluded that there is little evidence that topical treatments have a positive effect on the appearance of cellulite. Most of the studies show that topical cellulite treatment has no effect compared with baseline, or compared to a non-active topical treatment. This includes caffeine and retinol-based formulations.
‘Toxin-busting’ oral supplements are also not worth your time and money as there’s no toxins involved in cellulite (ditto: ‘low-tox’ diets). The scientific evidence also demonstrates that they are ineffective. Topical formulations like AHAs and moisturisers can temporarily smooth the skin, making cellulite appear less obvious, and are your best bet if you want a topical option. You’ll need to be religious with these though, and remember that AHAs make skin more prone to sunburn whenever they are used in a skincare routine. Physical exfoliation has the same effect.
What is the best treatment for cellulite? (sorry folks, it’s the ones that hurt!)
In-clinic procedures that actively break the fibrous network (lasers, needle/blade subcision) have the best evidence for targeting the cause of cellulite with long-lasting results. Massage and vacuum-based massage-type treatments don’t have sufficient evidence to recommend them.
Other in-clinic treatments to target volume loss, and skin laxity, may also improve satisfaction with the skin overall. Exercise that increases muscle size can also minimise the appearance of cellulite.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHAT TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY DOCTORS ABOUT YOUR SKIN CONDITION?
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CONSULT WITH OUR EXPERIENCED MEDICAL TEAM.
REFERENCES
-
Gabriel A, Chan V, Caldarella M, Wayne T, O’Rorke E. Cellulite: Current Understanding and Treatment. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Jun 21;5:ojad050. PMID: 37424836.
-
Luebberding S, Krueger N, Sadick NS. Cellulite: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2015 Aug;16(4):243-256. PMID: 25940753.
-
Turati F, Pelucchi C, Marzatico F, Ferraroni M, Decarli A, Gallus S, La Vecchia C, Galeone C. Efficacy of cosmetic products in cellulite reduction: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014 Jan;28(1):1-15. PMID: 23763635.
-
Alizadeh Z, Halabchi F, Mazaheri R, Abolhasani M, Tabesh M. Review of the Mechanisms and Effects of Noninvasive Body Contouring Devices on Cellulite and Subcutaneous Fat. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Jul 3;14(4):e36727. PMID: 28123436.
