Best treatment for getting rid of cellulite?
Updated: Jan 26
Cellulite cream Dry brushing Vacuum cupping Rebounding Quick Summary
Cellulite is something that nearly every woman encounters; in fact, cellulite is present in 80-90% of women who have completed puberty (1) Yet everyone is desperate to get rid of it; I know I spent many hours of my twenties googling and attempting various methods to get those airbrushed legs - some of which were rather amusing! Of course, everyone knows deep down that most legs we see online, on TV, and in magazines have had a significant amount of touch-up, and those are simply unattainable!
But don't worry, I discovered some techniques that did reduce the appearance of my cellulite to the point where I was finally comfortable wearing a bathing suit to the beach! I'm going to go over everything I've tried and what actually worked!
Disclaimer: While commission is earned on any of the products purchased from this list, only products that I have tried and tested have been included.
Do cellulite creams get rid of cellulite?
Cellulite creams were the first thing I tried in my seemingly never-ending quest to reduce my cellulite. There are numerous cellulite creams on the market today. If you Google cellulite treatment, you'll find creams ranging from $5 to $200, all claiming to be your one-way ticket to cellulite freedom. If you see anything that says, 'Get rid of cellulite in 10 days,' this should raise a red flag for you because it is most likely a scam! I'm telling you this because I've fallen for those scams myself in a desperate last-minute attempt to get perfect legs one week before a vacation!
Only one cellulite cream actually worked for me; however, it only worked in the short term; as soon as I stopped using it, my cellulite reappeared exactly as it had before! Of course, you could use this cream for the rest of your life, but that would be extremely expensive! The only time I would recommend using this is if you have a reasonable amount of time (8+ weeks) and need to reduce cellulite for an event such as a vacation or a wedding, on that occasion, it is a very viable solution.
The cream: NIVEA Firming Anti-Cellulite Gel-Cream Q10 L-Carnitine Lotus Extract All Skin Types.
This was the first cream that worked for me, and I adored it while I was using it, but as I previously stated, it isn't a long-term solution. It also works significantly better when combined with dry brushing, which I'll discuss further in the next tip! One final note about this cream: it has an odd odor! It's not bad, but you'll notice it; it goes away after a few minutes. You can purchase this exact cream by clicking on the image; it is also only $19.95, which is very reasonable for the amount you get!
What does the science say?
The science isn't so promising on the use of creams with cellulite. A scientific review published in 2021 (2) examining the effectiveness of cellulite creams in multiple studies shows little success in the average patient, with the studies examined including multiple combinations of ingredients within the creams used. Any studies that were found to improve cellulite appearance had flaws in their experiment methods. (2)
Taking this into consideration, I believe it is fair to say that creams aren't the best way to go when attempting to reduce the appearance of cellulite; however, if you, like me, require a short-term solution, a cream can at least provide that while also boosting your confidence.
Does Dry brushing get rid of cellulite?
Dry brushing is one method that I discovered reduced cellulite over time. Dry brushing entails using a dry brush to brush your entire body in an upward motion from your feet to your arms for 5-10 minutes. It's best to do this before or while you're in the shower, as it frequently removes a lot of dead skin (this also means a super soft skin-bonus). I discovered that dry brushing alone began to visibly reduce the appearance of my cellulite within 4 weeks, but, this was done nearly every day, and I must say that the brushing didn't completely remove my cellulite, which began to demotivate me, as I found it a chore to do every day!
However, when I combined dry brushing with the cellulite cream mentioned above, I discovered that after about 8 weeks, my cellulite had visibly reduced! The only disadvantage is that, like the cream, as soon as I stopped doing this, my cellulite returned to normal!
This brush I used:
This brush was the easiest to use and the best of a few I tried! You can get the same one I did by clicking the image!
What does the science say?
A scientific article published in 2021 (3) investigated the effects of dry brushing on cellulite reduction, and the results show some promise! Before we get into the results of this study, it's important to note that it was a preliminary study, which means it had a small sample group of only 12 people and that more research is needed in this area. However, the study discovered that people who added dry brushing to their daily routine for 5 weeks saw a 25.8% improvement in the appearance of their cellulite. (3) While this may appear to be a small amount, it would be very noticeable on your body.
After considering my experience and the science, if you can tolerate daily dry brushing and, even better, adding a cream on top, this could be the solution for you! However, I'm far too lazy to incorporate that into my daily routine, and this is where other solutions come in.
Does Vacuum cupping get rid of cellulite?
Vacuum cupping was the third technique I tried to combat my cellulite. If you've never heard of it, you may be wondering what on earth it is! It has nothing to do with your vacuum cleaner, but rather a small, simple suction 'cup' that can be manually placed on your skin and moved around.
It may appear strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is very simple! The cup can be used anywhere on your body (for example, if you want to reduce cellulite on your thighs, use it here). You'll need to use some kind of oil to move the cup around; I used baby oil, but any oil will suffice! After you've properly oiled the area, simply place the cup on your thigh (or wherever you want to use it), squeeze the cup to create 'suction' to your skin, and then move the cup in circular motions around the entire area for 10-15 minutes. You may notice that it feels strange at first, but it should not hurt! If you have pain, you may not be using enough oil! Redness and bruising are common side effects of cupping; I was fortunate not to experience this, but if you do, it should go away quickly and decrease as you continue the process.
Now comes the question of whether or not this strange process works, and I can confidently say that it does. I vacuum cupped 3-4 times per week for about a year, and my cellulite had reduced by at least 80% (amazing, right?). It took about three weeks for me to notice the effects of the cupping. The best part was that I could do it while watching TV before bed, so it never felt like a chore! I can even say that even though I stopped after about a year due to simply falling out of the habit, my cellulite only slightly increased over time, nothing like it did when I stopped using dry brushing creams - bonus!
The vacuum cup I used:
Click the image to the right to get the vacuum cups that worked for me! I found these easier to use than others because the suction seemed to be much better than some cheaper ones I had previously purchased! There are many variations of these cups available on Amazon, some of which are quite expensive! Personally, I found these to be perfectly adequate for a fraction of the price.
What does the science say?
As always, I don't want you to believe in a treatment based solely on my testimony; that wouldn't be scientific! So I did some research to see if vacuum cupping has been found in the scientific community to improve the appearance of cellulite! These studies are a little harder to come by because cupping is considered 'natural medicine,' though one study on 40 healthy women discovered cupping did significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite after just a few sessions (4). It is believed cupping is so effective because it drains what is known as lymphatic fluid (4), which carries toxins out of the body and can reduce the appearance of cellulite!
Considering the research and my own experience with vacuum cupping, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try! Especially since it is one of the most affordable options for effective cellulite reduction.
Does Rebounding get rid of cellulite?
I've saved the best for last as your final tip for finally removing cellulite! And it is so simple that almost anyone can do it! That is rebounding, also known as jumping on a mini-trampoline (just another name for a rebounder). I had no idea when I first started rebounding that it was such an effective way to reduce cellulite! I started because a friend mentioned that she was burning the same amount of calories as jogging but on a fun mini-trampoline! So I had to be a part of it!
To start rebounding, I simply watched 10-20 minute YouTube videos that explained the techniques (which are very simple), and I discovered that it was a lot of fun! After I got the idea, I just started bouncing for 10-15 minutes a day a few times a week (4-6), usually while watching TV in the evening. A simple addition to your day that also increases your daily calorie burn! After about a month, I noticed that the cellulite on my legs was significantly reduced. I then continued this for the next three months and noticed that my cellulite had nearly disappeared. Now, this was not a quick fix; I was committed to using my mini-trampoline on a consistent basis. Of course, I would take a week off for vacation or do a little less when I was particularly busy, but I was consistent throughout, and that is what is important.
The rebounder I used:
Which rebounder is the best? Well this is the exact rebounder I currently own; however, the price tag is quite hefty ($399), so I have included a very good alternative below; I personally fell in love with this one because it has lasted me 4 years currently, and after reading multiple reviews claiming rebounders frequently break after a year of use, I decided to invest in one of these!
If you're still not sure, the rebounder I've included below has excellent reviews and, in my opinion, looks fantastic! This one is only $79.99, which is ideal if you want to give it a shot but don't want to invest just yet!
You'll notice that the rebounders I've chosen have a similar appearance! As an alternative to spring rebounders, these are known as bungee style rebounders. Through trial and error, I discovered that these types are all around better; they're quieter (nearly silent) and have much better 'bounce.'
What does the science say?
Unfortunately, the science of rebounding and cellulite reduction is still in its infancy. There have been studies that show how rebounding can help with overall weight loss, but this does not always equate to cellulite reduction. However, rebounding has been shown to help lymphatic drainage (5), which we already know can help with cellulite reduction. Rebounding aids lymphatic drainage by providing a pumping motion for the body, allowing lymph vessels to effectively carry out the toxins-containing fluid in our bodies.
So, while science hasn't quite caught up with whether the rebounder can effectively reduce cellulite, based on the fact that it can increase lymphatic drainage and my own experience, I would classify the rebounder as one of the most effective ways to significantly reduce cellulite, with the added benefit of being fun!
Quick summary
Cellulite cream and dry brushing help in the short term, but cellulite returns to normal after treatment. There is some scientific evidence that dry brushing can help with cellulite, but it is limited for creams.
Vacuum cupping is an effective way to reduce cellulite when completed multiple times a week, this is also backed by a study on 40 women.
Rebounding is extremely effective at reducing cellulite; you only need to buy the trampoline once, and 10 minutes three to four times per week is enough to see significant results!
References
1. Sadick, N. (2019). Treatment for cellulite. International journal of women's dermatology, 5(1), 68-72.
2. Lindgren, A., Austin, A. H., & Welsh, K. M. (2021). Specific use: cosmeceuticals for body skin texture and cellulite treatment. In Cosmeceuticals (Vol. 5, pp. 104-113). Karger Publishers.
3. Adejokun, D. (2021). Design of a novel anti-cellulite treatment, an evidence based approach (Doctoral dissertation, University of Sunderland).
4. Arslan, M., Kutlu, N., Tepe, M., Yilmaz, N. S., Ozdemir, L., & Dane, S. (2015). Dry cupping therapy decreases cellulite in women: A pilot study.
5. Klotter, J. (2008). Rebounding on a mini-trampoline. Townsend Letter, (299), 44-45.