How To Get Rid Of Cellulite On Legs And Bum

If during lockdown you've found yourself staring at your cellulite for a little bit too long then let's begin by reassuring you that the dimples on your bum – and indeed, on various parts of your body – are entirely natural and normal.

Like, really normal. Straight up, it's estimated that around 90% of those of you with two pairs of X chromosomes deal with orange peel-like lump and bumps. It's not something to feel bad about or to beat yourself up over, whatsoever.

However, if cellulite is playing with your confidence, and you'd like to know how you might minimise its appearance (it's impossible to be rid of it, wholesale) then read on. WH called upon the experts to find out why cellulite tends to appear on your bum and thighs, plus what your options are when it comes to treatments and lifestyle tweaks.

Why do I have cellulite on my bum?

Well, the female body tends to store fat in this area, thanks to our good friend, the hormone oestrogen – and the skin issues occurs when fat pushes through the connective tissue beneath the skin, to create a wavy effect. Think of a balloon being blown up through a string vest.

Cellu-Lite Salon Secret for Legs

Legology cultbeauty.co.uk

£62.50

Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Lotion, 200ml

Clarins johnlewis.com

£40.00

Palmer s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Butter 315ml

Palmer's superdrug.com

£5.19

mio Peachy Cheeks Bum Booster Cream 120ml

Mio mioskincare.co.uk

£22.00

'Hormonal imbalances are regarded as a crucial cause of cellulite. Such a hormone situation can appear physiologically during pregnancy; menopause, as well as while taking hormonal contraceptives or in the course of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)' says Dr Rekha Tailor, cosmetic doctor at Health and Aesthetic. Age can affect your hormones too, she adds. 'When oestrogen starts to decrease [as it does as you head towards the menopause] receptors in blood vessels and thighs are lost, which results in decreased circulation.'

'With decreased circulation, we see less oxygen and nutrition to that area, and with that, we see a decrease in collagen production. Fat cells also start becoming larger, which causes them to protrude through the collagen and become what we know to be cellulite,' she adds.

'Cellulite usually affects the buttocks and thighs but can also occur in other areas of the body,' says Jodie Wood, skin clinic manager at aesthetic surgery centre, The Private Clinic.

'This is because the blood flow and circulation are normally more restricted in these areas; we sit down for the best part of the day – along with these areas being where most female bodies store fat.'

So, if you've tried eating all the cellulite-busting foods and attempted all the dimple-reducing exercises, but still find yourself wondering how to get rid of cellulite on your bum, we've got the details.

How do you get rid of cellulite on your bum?

Quick reality check: there is no magic bullet for eliminating the dimples. Trying to get rid of cellulite on your bum is to set yourself up for disappointment. But, here's how to have a crack at reducing it.

Does walking help get rid of cellulite on your bum?

We'll level with you. It's not a sure-fire way to get rid of cellulite. However, lots of walking can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. This is because cellulite occurs underneath the connective fibres of the skin, so walking helps to strengthen those.

Do squats get rid of cellulite on bum?

Similarly, while exercise and movement can help with the appearance of cellulite on your bum, they're not going to eliminate it.

How to get rid of cellulite on your bum: 7 lifestyle tweaks

1. Have refined sugar in moderation

'A lot of sugary food and drink is something we want to stay clear from if you want to reduce cellulite,' says Wood.

You probably already know about the connection between sugar and cellulite: sugar becomes stored in fat cells, causing them to expand, which can increase the dimpled appearance of those areas.

Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil 100ml

Weleda lookfantastic.com

£21.80

Try snacking on skin-nourishing fruits instead – watermelon is an especially great choice, as research has suggested its high lycopene content may benefit our cardiovascular system.

2. Get moving

'Try to keep your circulation moving – although it can be tricky depending on your job, try not to sit down all day,' advises Wood.

'Exercise is key - if you can exercise regularly this will reduce the appearance of cellulite.'

3. Step away from the salt

Salty foods are known for causing fluid retention, which is linked to the appearance of cellulite. This processed sodium can dehydrate the skin enough to make areas of cellulite appear much more noticeable.

However, we aren't condemning all types of salt here - just the highly refined table variety. Himalayan and sea salts are rich in beneficial minerals, so upgrade that salt grinder to see real results.

4. Stop neglecting that body brush

It's one of those beauty tools that ends up gathering dust at the back of your bathroom cabinet but it could actually be a strong ally in your mission to get rid of cellulite on your bum.

ESPA Skin Brush

ESPA lookfantastic.com

£20.00

'We recommend using a body brush whilst you in the shower or bath, as this will stimulate the blood flow and circulation,' Wood says.

These densely bristle brushes work by boosting circulation around areas of cellulite, helping the body to eliminate toxins that contribute to the formation of orange-peel patches.

5. Don't smoke

'Smoking can increase cellulite, as smoking reduces the flow of blood and so this will weaken the formation of collagen. This can then increase the appearance of cellulite,' Wood explains.

AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion 100ml

AMELIORATE lookfantastic.com

£14.50

6. Stress less

If you needed another reason to try these simple breathing exercises for stress then this it it: among everything else, stress symptoms can also contribute to the formation of cellulite.

How? High stress levels trigger the production of the hormone cortisol, which can break down collagen within the body. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and makes up our connective tissue, so when we lose it our skin can appear thinner and less firm, and those cellulite dimples can shine through.

7. Don't work late into the evening

Sitting in the same position for extended periods of time can cause your circulation to become sluggish.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream [240ml]

Sol de Janeiro cultbeauty.co.uk

£44.00

Cellulite forms in the areas of the body with the least blood flow, so it pays to monitor the amount of time you spend engrossed in that inbox, and be sure to take a walk on your lunch break to get rid of cellulite on your bum, even if it's only around the block.

You can even tone your abs while you're at it.

How do you get rid of cellulite on your butt at home?

There is one product that is gaining a cult following for helping to smooth skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. The N°1 Illume Glove has racked up 2.9 million videos on TikTok and sales are up 1057%.

100% Silk Exfoliating Glove - Pink

So how does it work? Well, each glove is hand made using 100% intricately woven silk and is designed to deeply exfoliate the skin, which helps to brighten dull dry skin, remove fake tan, prevent ingrown hairs and improve the appearance of cellulite.

Silk gloves have traditionally been used in the world-famous Turkish baths(Hammams), where revellers would typically visit for a weekly body scrub and bath. Following a steam bath and sauna, you would be scrubbed by someone wearing a silk glove. Today the glove is still used in the remaining Turkish baths in Istanbul, thanks to its gentle but thorough exfoliation.

What is the best treatment to get rid of cellulite on your butt?

One of the best ways to tackle cellulite is opting for a clinical treatment. Renowned aesthetic doctor Sophie Shotter believes Venus Legacy is one of the best because it deploys multi-polar radio frequency and pulsed electro-magnetic fields.

The treatment works by using a device that safely heats up the skin to shrink fat cells and increase collagen and elastin to tighten the skin. At the same time the pulsed suction, pulls the skin upwards allowing the energy to penetrate deeper.

Does it hurt? Actually no, it's extremely comfortable, almost like having a mechanical massage, with no downtime. Following the Venus Legacy treatment, Dr Shotter recommends a Body Ballancer – a lymphatic drainage massage suit that gives you a vigorous mechanical massage, for a further 30 minutes. Expect smooth skin after 10 sessions.

Cut through the noise and g et practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to t he WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTER .

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io