Show patients their result before they treat.
The dimpled, lumpy skin texture on the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen caused by fibrous bands beneath the skin.
Sarah Jenkins
Plan #4224 • Overall
Recommended Protocol
Targeted Subcision
For Cellulite
Caffeine firming creams
At-home maintenance
Cellulite is the dimpled texture on the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen caused by fibrous bands tethering the skin while fat pushes against them. It's smoothed by releasing those bands and tightening skin — with targeted subcision devices like Avéli, acoustic wave therapy like Emtone, and RF microneedling such as Morpheus8 Body. Results are best maintained with a series and supportive skincare.
Cellulite is the dimpled, lumpy appearance of skin most commonly found on the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. It occurs when fibrous connective bands tether the skin while fat pushes up against them, creating a textured, 'orange peel' look. It's harmless but a common cosmetic concern.
For a practice, cellulite is a high-demand body concern that supports body-contouring packages and seasonal treatment pushes. The clinical goal is to release the tethering bands and smooth the surface with targeted devices and minimally invasive treatments. Helping the patient visualize a smoother projected result supports committing to a treatment series rather than a one-off.
Cellulite
Where it appears
Thighs, Buttocks, Abdomen
Facial area
Overall
Treatment paths
10
From in-clinic procedures to at-home regimens, Afters maps the full range of options — so patients can see what each one would do for them, on their own photo, before they commit.
Professional procedures performed by a provider to target the concern directly.
Energy-based and resurfacing devices used to treat the concern in clinic.
Medical-grade products patients use between visits to maintain results.
The named injectables, products, and devices patients search for — each lets them preview the result before they commit.
Cutera's radiofrequency body platform — truSculpt iD reduces fat with heat, truSculpt flex builds muscle.
View brandCynosure's laser fat-reduction treatment — 'WarmSculpting' that heats and destroys fat in 25 minutes.
View brandThe original radiofrequency skin-tightening treatment — one session, no needles, gradual lifting from a single visit.
View brandBTL's radiofrequency device that tightens skin and reduces fat — painless, with no downtime.
View brandCommon questions patients ask about cellulite — and what practices should be ready to answer.
Fibrous connective bands tether the skin to deeper tissue while fat cells push up against them, creating the dimpled, puckered surface. Genetics, hormones, and skin structure all play a role — it affects people of all body types.
Treatments that release the tethering bands, like targeted subcision (Avéli), give the most direct dimple correction, while acoustic wave therapy and RF microneedling improve skin texture and firmness.
Band-release treatments can produce long-lasting smoothing in treated dimples, while energy-based treatments are typically maintained with periodic sessions.
Topicals like caffeine and retinol creams can temporarily firm and improve the look of skin but can't release the bands that cause dimpling, so in-clinic treatments are needed for real correction.
Minimally invasive treatments use local numbing and are well tolerated, with possible bruising for a week or two. Energy-based options have little to no downtime.
Afters simulates the outcome on a patient's own photo and builds a visual 12-month plan — so consults convert and average ticket climbs.