Body & Contour
Dimpled or uneven skin caused by the interaction of fat, connective bands, and skin structure.
Physician-led assessment · individualized care · Vancouver clinic
Understanding Cellulite
Lots of people first notice it in a change-room mirror or a holiday photo: a dimpled, orange-peel texture on the thighs or buttocks, even when they're fit and at a healthy weight. If that's you, you're in very good company. Most women have some cellulite after puberty.
Cellulite is about structure, not weight. Under the skin, fine fibrous bands anchor the skin to the deeper tissue. Where fat gently pushes up between those bands and they hold the skin down, the surface dimples. Genetics and hormones shape that pattern, which is why it shows up in slim, active people too. Treatment focuses on softening the look and improving skin and contour, and understanding your own pattern is the first step.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Cellulite comes mainly from how the tissue beneath the skin is arranged. Fibrous bands that tether the skin to deeper layers pull down in places while fat pushes up between them, creating the dimpling. The pattern of these bands, skin thickness and fat distribution are strongly influenced by genetics and by sex hormones, particularly estrogen, which is why cellulite is far more common in women. Thinner skin with age, changes in connective tissue, circulation and lifestyle can all make it more visible, and weight affects how prominent it looks.
Signs and Symptoms
Cellulite typically appears as:
Assessment
At your consultation, we look at the pattern and depth of the dimpling, which areas are involved, and the quality and firmness of your skin. We'll see how it changes when the skin is gently pinched or when you shift position, and how much comes from the tethering bands, the fat beneath and looser skin above. That balance shapes what kind of change to expect and a plan that fits your goals, timing and budget.
Cosmetic consultations are complimentary.
Treatment Options
These are some of the options connected to this concern. The appropriate plan depends on assessment, suitability, and your goals.
Staying active, keeping a stable healthy weight and building muscle tone all help the overall look of the thighs and buttocks.
Muscle Toning & Body Contouring with Emsculpt NEO builds on that, using electromagnetic energy to strengthen the muscles underneath and radiofrequency heating to reduce fat in the treated area, which can improve contour. It's delivered by our senior laser technicians under the medical direction of Dr. Gidon Frame. Because cellulite comes from the tissue structure itself, results vary from person to person and are kept up with maintenance.
For the fuller picture, explore the treatment pages above or discuss the options during a consultation.
Medical Assessment
See a doctor if the skin becomes painful, red, warm or swollen, if there's a firm or growing lump, hard areas, ulcers or skin that doesn't heal, or if dimpling appears suddenly in one area, particularly on the breast. These point to a different condition from ordinary cellulite and need prompt attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. Cellulite comes from the normal arrangement of fat, connective bands and skin, and it appears across all body types, including in people who are slim, active and healthy. It's one of the most common things we see, and it's purely a cosmetic feature.
A healthy weight, activity and muscle tone can improve the overall look of the area, though the connective bands behind the dimpling stay in place. That's completely normal. When you'd like more change, in-clinic treatment can build on the work you're already doing.
Because cellulite comes from the underlying tissue structure, treatment aims to soften its appearance and improve contour, and results are kept up with maintenance. Results vary between people. We'll talk through the kind of change that's realistic for you at your consultation.
Physician Assessment
An assessment can help clarify what may be contributing, which options may be appropriate, and what a reasonable next step could look like for you.
Visit Our Clinic
Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic combines medical assessment, individualized planning, physician oversight, and a broad range of treatment options in its Vancouver clinic.
Bring your questions, treatment history, and goals. Your provider can help you understand appropriate options, expected recovery, and realistic outcomes.
Make an Appointment
Use our consultation form below and the clinic can guide you toward the appropriate starting point.
