No cellulite treatment, from creams to clinic procedures, has been shown to remove cellulite for good.[1][2] On our evidence scale, most options rate Weak, and the only one rated Moderate, an injected treatment, is no longer made.[3] Where studies found changes, they were often modest or short-lived, and clinic treatments usually take several sessions.[1][3]
- Common, and not a disease: up to 90% of women have some cellulite, and the Australasian College of Dermatologists says it isn't really a disease.[1] Our guide to what cellulite is and why it's so common explains the causes.
- Home gadgets: we found no controlled trials of rollers or cups used at home, and LED light alone didn't improve thigh cellulite in a small trial.[4][5]
- Clinic treatments: acoustic wave therapy gave consistent results across four trials in a 2025 review, but average follow-up in that review was short, and the College says long-lasting results aren't guaranteed.[1][6]
- Weight and exercise: weight loss had mixed effects in one study, and 12 weeks of glute exercises, alongside a sham treatment, didn't change the average cellulite score in a small trial.[7][8]
How strong is the evidence for each cellulite treatment?
Mostly weak. Of the 11 options in our table, nine rate Weak, rollers and cups rate No good evidence, and the only one rated Moderate, an injected enzyme, is no longer made.[3] Each rating answers one question: does good research show a visible change in cellulite?
Strong means several good studies agree; Moderate, some good studies with limits; Weak, few or small studies, mixed results or no comparison group; No good evidence, we couldn't find good-quality trials when we searched. A label describes how much good research there is, not whether the option worked, and between two labels we use the lower one. Read how we grade evidence.
| Option | What studies found | The catch | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine or retinol creams | Mixed results in small, short trials | Most have a minimal impact, even with long-term use, the College says | Weak |
| Massage, including lymphatic drainage | Mixed results in small trials | In one maker-funded trial, dimples grew back after women stopped | Weak |
| Rollers and cups at home | No controlled trials found | Our search turned up mostly patents | No good evidence |
| Red light (LED) | No change from LED light alone in one small trial | Clinic laser results can't be assumed to apply at home | Weak |
| Radiofrequency (clinic) | Thigh measurements changed | Several sessions; visible results are short-lived | Weak |
| Laser and other light (clinic) | Mixed results across devices | Several sessions; results may not last | Weak |
| Acoustic wave therapy (clinic) | Consistent results in four trials | Usually 6 to 8 sessions; little data past a year | Weak |
| Subcision by needle, blade or laser (clinic) | Most people satisfied, in studies without a comparison group | Painful bruising for up to 4 months was common in one large study | Weak |
| Injected enzyme (clinic) | More improvement than placebo in two large trials | Under 1 in 10 improved by two levels, and it's no longer made | Moderate |
| Weight change | Varied from person to person, in one study | Cellulite worsened for some; we don't suggest changing your weight for it | Weak |
| Exercise | No change with glute exercises plus a sham treatment, in one small trial | No trial summary we found compares exercise with none | Weak |
Why so many Weak ratings? Good trials are scarce. In a 2015 review of 67 cellulite studies, only 19 were randomised and placebo-controlled,[2] and a 2024 review of 32 studies of energy-based and electrical devices rated the methods of only two as strong.[9]
Air compression boots aren't rated in this table: our guide to compression boots and cellulite covers what we searched for and found.
Do cellulite creams work?
Not much, going by the evidence. The Australasian College of Dermatologists says most creams that promise to remove cellulite don't deliver on their claims. It says the evidence for creams with caffeine or retinol (a vitamin A derivative) is very weak, and that most have a minimal impact, even with regular long-term use.[1]
The trials are small. In a 6-month trial, 15 women used retinol on one side and a placebo on the other: the retinol side became more elastic, but the lumpy-bumpy look showed little or no response.[12] In a 12-week trial, an active cream made no measurable difference compared with a placebo cream on the other side.[13] Other placebo-controlled trials of caffeine or retinol creams have reported improvements, but a 2023 review notes that they were small and short.[3]
Does massage help cellulite?
Not in a clear, lasting way, in the trials we found. In a 12-week trial, a machine massage given twice a week to one side made no measurable difference, and the researchers didn't believe it was effective.[13] A trial of a handheld massager found a change that faded once women stopped using it.[11]
That 2020 trial was fully funded by the device's maker. Forty women used a vibrating massager on one thigh: after 12 weeks, graders rated cellulite as less visible on that side, but in women who then stopped, the measured dimple volume on the outer thigh grew again.[11]
Does lymphatic drainage help cellulite?
The evidence is weak. A 2010 trial compared three massage techniques, including manual lymphatic drainage, in 60 women, with no untreated group. Its summary reports fat thickness and thigh measurements, not a cellulite score,[14] so it doesn't tell us whether lymphatic drainage changes how cellulite looks.
Do at-home cellulite devices work?
We couldn't find good evidence that they do. When we searched in October 2026, we found no controlled trials of rollers or cups used at home.[4] A 2018 review found one small trial of red and near-infrared LED light used alone, and it didn't improve thigh cellulite.[5]
Rollers and cups
Our search of the Europe PMC research database turned up 20 records, and 16 of them were patents. The closest to a trial was a 2026 pilot in 10 young women who had cupping massage on one leg, and its summary doesn't report a change in cellulite grade.[4]
Red light therapy for cellulite
The evidence is weak. In that 2018 review, the trial of LED light used alone involved nine people, and the reviewers didn't recommend LEDs for thigh cellulite.[5] The positive light-based results described in a 2023 review came from clinic lasers, such as green laser light, not from red LEDs.[3] Results from clinic devices can't be assumed to apply to devices used at home. Our guide to red light therapy at home covers eye safety and how to check device claims.
What about clinic cellulite treatments?
Some clinic treatments changed how cellulite looked in trials, but improvements are often short-lived.[3] The College says acoustic wave and radiofrequency devices can improve the appearance of cellulite, but that these devices need multiple treatment sessions and long-lasting results aren't guaranteed.[1]
Radiofrequency, laser and acoustic wave therapy
Radiofrequency and laser devices deliver heat into the tissue; acoustic wave (shock wave) therapy sends pressure waves through it.[3] A 2025 review of 24 randomised trials singled out acoustic wave therapy for consistent results across four trials. For radiofrequency, its summary reports changes in thigh measurements, not cellulite scores.[6]
The catches, according to a 2023 review: acoustic wave therapy usually needs 6 to 8 sessions before a visible change, with little data beyond a year; visible results from radiofrequency are short-lived, and it can cause bruising; and lasers need several sessions, with a lack of lasting results.[3]
Subcision and an injected enzyme
Subcision cuts through the fibrous bands that tether the skin, using a needle-like tool, a fine blade with suction or laser energy.[3] In studies without a comparison group, most people were satisfied, and some improvements were reported to last a year or more.[3] In one large study of people treated with a needle-like tool, 9 in 10 had painful bruising for up to 4 months, and all had skin discolouration for up to 10 months.[3] The College says surgical techniques such as subcision aren't always successful and may sometimes make cellulite worse.[1]
The largest trials we found tested an injected enzyme designed to break down those bands. In two trials of 843 women with moderate or severe cellulite on the buttocks, 5.6–7.6% of treated women improved by two levels on both their own and clinicians' ratings at day 71, against 0.5–1.9% on placebo. By at least one level, the figures were 37–42% against 11–18%.[10] In December 2022, its maker announced it would stop making and selling it, citing concerns about bruising and possible long-lasting skin discolouration.[3]
How to reduce cellulite naturally: what the evidence says
We found no proven natural way to get rid of cellulite. Cellulite isn't strictly related to excess body fat, so the College notes that losing weight through diet or exercise may not always resolve it.[1] Here's what research on weight, exercise and supplements shows.
- Weight change: in women on medically supervised weight-loss programs, the effect varied from person to person, and cellulite worsened for some.[7] We don't suggest changing your weight for the sake of cellulite.
- Exercise: in a small trial, women who did glute exercises at home twice a day for 12 weeks, alongside a sham (fake) clinic treatment, saw no change in their average cellulite score.[8] When we searched in October 2026, we found no trial summary comparing exercise alone with no exercise.[17]
- Supplements: the College says various supplements have been promoted for cellulite without solid clinical studies.[1]
If you enjoy moving, keep going for its own sake, not to chase smoother skin.
When should you see a dermatologist about cellulite?
Whether you treat cellulite or leave it alone is your call. If you're weighing up a procedure, a dermatologist can talk you through the options. You don't need a referral, but without one you may not be able to claim a Medicare rebate on consultation fees, so it's worth starting with your GP.[18]
Quick answers
Can you get rid of cellulite on your legs?
Not for good, as far as research shows: no cream, device or procedure has been shown to remove it.[1][2] Some clinic options changed how cellulite looked for a while in trials, but the College says long-lasting results aren't guaranteed.[1][6]
Can you get rid of cellulite in a week?
No. The two cream trials we describe ran for 12 weeks and 6 months, and clinic devices need several sessions.[1][12][13]
Sources
19 sources
- Australasian College of Dermatologists. Cellulite. A–Z of Skin, updated December 2023. Accessed 7 October 2026. dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/cellulite
- Luebberding S, Krueger N, Sadick NS. Cellulite: an evidence-based review. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2015;16(4):243–256. doi.org/10.1007/s40257-015-0129-5
- Gabriel A, Chan V, Caldarella M, Wayne T, O'Rorke E. Cellulite: current understanding and treatment. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 2023;5:ojad050. Narrative review. The authors reported no funding; the lead author declared consulting for two companies, one of which makes a cellulite device discussed in the review. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10324940
- RECVIA team. Search of the Europe PMC research database (titles and abstracts) for cellulite studies of cups, cupping, vacuum massage, rollers, foam rolling or self-massage, run 7 October 2026: 20 records (16 patents; 2 uncontrolled studies of clinic machines with rollers; 1 editorial; and 1 pilot study in 10 women who had cupping massage on one leg: Ptaszek B et al., Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2026;47:173–179), none a controlled trial of rollers or cups used at home. europepmc.org/search (query as run)
- Jagdeo J, Austin E, Mamalis A, Wong C, Ho D, Siegel DM. Light-emitting diodes in dermatology: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2018;50(6):613–628. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6099480
- Lim SK, Gultekin G, Suresan S, et al. Comparative analysis of cellulite treatment modalities: a systematic review. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025;49(7):2051–2075. doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04365-8
- Smalls LK, Hicks M, Passeretti D, et al. Effect of weight loss on cellulite: gynoid lypodystrophy. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2006;118(2):510–516. doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000227629.94768.be
- Knobloch K, Joest B, Krämer R, Vogt PM. Cellulite and focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy for non-invasive body contouring: a randomized trial. Dermatology and Therapy, 2013;3(2):143–155. Publication charges paid by a shock wave device maker; the lead author later spoke for that company. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3889306
- Longano C, de Faria Coelho C, Buslik SA, et al. Does electrophysical agents work for cellulite treatment? A systematic review of clinical trials. Lasers in Medical Science, 2024;39(1):120. Lists funding from Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-04068-1
- Kaufman-Janette J, Joseph JH, Kaminer MS, et al. …for the treatment of cellulite in women: results from two phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Dermatologic Surgery, 2021;47(5):649–656. Title shortened; the full title names the medicine tested. Supported by the company that developed the treatment; several authors were its employees, consultants or investigators. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8078112
- Sadowski T, Bielfeldt S, Wilhelm KP, Sukopp S, Gordon C. Objective and subjective reduction of cellulite volume using a localized vibrational massage device in a 24-week randomized intra-individual single-blind regression study. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020;42(3):277–288. Financed entirely by the device's maker; one author was affiliated with the maker. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7317706
- Piérard-Franchimont C, Piérard GE, Henry F, Vroome V, Cauwenbergh G. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of topical retinol in the treatment of cellulite. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2000;1(6):369–374. doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200001060-00005
- Collis N, Elliot LA, Sharpe C, Sharpe DT. Cellulite treatment: a myth or reality: a prospective randomized, controlled trial of two therapies… Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1999;104(4):1110–1114. Title shortened; the full title names the products tested. doi.org/10.1097/00006534-199909040-00034
- Bayrakci Tunay V, Akbayrak T, Bakar Y, Kayihan H, Ergun N. Effects of mechanical massage, manual lymphatic drainage and connective tissue manipulation techniques on fat mass in women with cellulite. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2010;24(2):138–142. doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03355.x
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Register of practitioners. Accessed 7 October 2026. ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Lasers, IPL sources and LED phototherapy in the cosmetic and beauty therapy industry (advisory note, undated; refers to a 2015 public consultation). Accessed 7 October 2026. arpansa.gov.au/…/lasers-and-intense-pulsed-light-ipl
- RECVIA team. Search of the Europe PMC research database (titles and abstracts) for randomised or controlled cellulite trials involving exercise, training or physical activity, run 7 October 2026: 5 records (1 randomised trial pairing exercise with shock wave therapy or a sham treatment, and its trial protocol; 1 randomised trial with exercise-only, exercise-plus-shock-wave and no-treatment groups whose summary doesn't compare exercise alone with no treatment: Troia S et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021;20(6):1732–1742; 1 study of a grading tool; 1 radiofrequency study). europepmc.org/search (query as run)
- Australasian College of Dermatologists. How to see a dermatologist. Accessed 7 October 2026. dermcoll.edu.au/community/how-to-see-a-dermatologist
- healthdirect Australia. Cellulitis. Reviewed December 2024. Accessed 7 October 2026. healthdirect.gov.au/cellulitis