Cellulite on Buttocks: Why It Happens and How to Get Rid of It
Cellulite on buttocks is extremely common: around 80 to 90% of women have it somewhere, whatever their weight or fitness. The buttocks store more fat than most areas, the connective tissue bands under the skin pull down in a honeycomb pattern, and circulation there is slower, so dimples on buttocks show easily. You can reduce cellulite on the buttocks with glute exercises, seaweed body wraps, a daily cream and massage, but nothing removes it for good without upkeep.
Dimples on the buttocks can knock your confidence. This guide explains why you have cellulite on your bum, clears up a few myths, and shows what actually helps, from exercises and skincare to home remedies and clinic treatments.
GUAM has made marine skincare in Italy since 1986, founded by Egidio Siena and built on seaweed harvested off the coast of Brittany. Our FIR seaweed mud was tested on the buttocks and back of the thighs in a 2024 clinical study: 81% fewer cellulite nodules after 8 wraps in 4 weeks.
Why Do I Have Cellulite on My Buttocks?
Cellulite forms when fat pushes up through the connective tissue under the skin. Fibrous bands called septae tether the skin to the muscle below, creating small pockets; when the fat in those pockets swells, the skin between the bands puckers into dimples.
The buttocks are a prime spot for three reasons:
More fat storage
The buttocks and hips naturally store more fat than other parts of the body, especially in women, so the pockets between the bands are fuller.
Weaker, vertical connective tissue
In women, the bands run straight up and down, so fat bulges through easily. In men they form a criss-cross net, which is why men rarely get cellulite on the butt.
Slow circulation from sitting
Hours of sitting press on the buttocks, slowing blood and lymph flow. Fluid builds up in the tissue and makes dimples look deeper.
Hormones, genes and age
Estrogen affects how fat is stored and how elastic the connective tissue is, which is why cellulite on buttocks often appears or worsens at puberty, during pregnancy and around menopause. Genetics set your collagen, fat distribution and circulation, and age thins the skin so dimples show more.
Myths about cellulite on the bum
Myth: only overweight women get it. Slim, fit women have buttock cellulite too. Myth: a cream can erase it forever. Creams and treatments improve how it looks, but results fade without upkeep. Being realistic is what keeps you consistent.
Our Picks for Cellulite on Buttocks
Start with the wrap for stubborn dimples, then use a cream every day between sessions. Pick the cream by skin type: cooling Fresco for heavy legs, Recovery for delicate skin. See all GUAM body wraps.
Max Strength Body Wrap for Stubborn Buttock Cellulite
For deep, long-standing dimples on the buttocks and thighs. The Max Strength Body Wrap combines brown algae, Fuller's earth clay, ivy and oregano extracts to draw out retained fluid, boost circulation and tone the skin.
- Made for stubborn cellulite
- Brown algae and Fuller's earth
- Drains fluid that deepens dimples
- 2 to 3 wraps a week
Fangocrema Fresco Cream, Cold Formula
For daily care between wraps. Fangocrema Fresco combines sea mud, caffeine, ivy, horse chestnut, centella and menthol for a cooling, draining effect on the buttocks and thighs.
- Cooling and draining
- Caffeine and sea mud
- Fast-absorbing, not sticky
- Massage upward daily
Recovery Cellulite Cream for Delicate Skin
For sensitive skin or visible capillaries. The Recovery Cellulite Cream pairs brown seaweed extract with rice bran, meadowfoam seed oil and shea butter to smooth and hydrate without warming.
- No heat, gentle
- Brown seaweed extract
- Nourishing oils and shea
How to Get Rid of Cellulite on Buttocks: Lifestyle First
To reduce cellulite on the buttocks, start with the habits that change the muscle underneath and the fluid in the tissue.
Glute exercises
Strong glutes lift and fill out the area so the skin on top looks smoother. Do these 3 times a week, 3 sets of 12 to 15:
Glute bridges and hip thrusts (the best for the buttocks), squats, reverse lunges, donkey kicks and side-lying leg lifts. Add cardio like brisk walking or cycling for circulation. More moves in our exercises for cellulite on legs.
Break up sitting
Stand and walk for a few minutes every hour. Sitting for long stretches is one of the main reasons cellulite on the bum looks worse by evening.
Healthy diet
Fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants and vitamin C support collagen. Cut back on processed foods, sugar and salt, which promote fluid retention. Note that weight loss alone does not always help: see whether cellulite goes away with weight loss.
Hydration
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day helps keep the skin supple and supports drainage.
Skincare Routine for Cellulite on the Butt
Seaweed mud body wrap
A seaweed mud wrap works on the trapped fluid and slow circulation that deepen buttock dimples. The mineral-rich mud draws excess fluid out of the tissue, and the warmth boosts microcirculation.
- ExfoliateScrub or dry brush the buttocks and thighs, then dry the skin.
- ApplySpread a thick, even layer over the buttocks and back of the thighs.
- WrapWrap firmly with plastic film for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Rinse and repeatRinse, apply a cream, and repeat 2 to 3 times a week.
Cellulite creams
Look for caffeine (helps release stored fat and drain fluid), retinol (can thicken the skin over time) and seaweed (minerals and hydration). The American Academy of Dermatology notes that caffeine and retinol creams may help a little. Apply every day, with upward strokes.
Dry brushing and massage
Dry brushing before your shower exfoliates and boosts circulation. Then massage the buttocks with firm, upward circles toward the groin for 3 to 5 minutes. Massage does not break down fat, but it moves trapped fluid and helps creams absorb. A good anti-cellulite massage oil makes this easier.
Home Remedies for Cellulite on Buttocks
DIY treatments are cheap and can help the skin look smoother for a while. Here is what each one really does:
| Remedy | What it does | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee scrub (grounds + coconut oil) | Exfoliates; caffeine boosts blood flow briefly | Yes, 2 to 3 times a week |
| Dry brushing | Exfoliates, boosts circulation and drainage | Yes, before showers |
| Coconut oil massage | Hydrates, gives slip for massage | Yes, as a massage base |
| Grapefruit or juniper oil | May support circulation; always dilute | Patch test first |
| Apple cider vinegar soak | No evidence it changes cellulite | Skip |
| Honey and lemon mask | Mild exfoliation; lemon + sun can burn skin | Only at night, rinse well |
Consistency is key: remedies only help if you do them regularly. Combine them with exercise and a daily cream for the best result.
Professional Treatments for Buttock Cellulite
If you want faster or longer-lasting results, a dermatologist can offer non-invasive or minimally invasive options. According to the AAD, several can make cellulite less visible, but most need several sessions and maintenance.
| Treatment | How it works | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Laser therapy | Heats the tissue, stimulates collagen | Results can last 6 months or more |
| Radiofrequency | Heats deeper layers to tighten tissue | Several sessions; modest, temporary |
| Acoustic wave therapy | Sound waves stimulate the tissue | Several sessions; modest improvement |
| Subcision | Cuts the bands that pull dimples down | Longer-lasting for distinct dimples; bruising |
Liposuction removes fat but does not treat cellulite, so it is not a fix for dimples. Talk to a qualified dermatologist before any procedure, and keep up home care to hold the results.
How Long Does It Take to Reduce Cellulite on Buttocks?
With 2 to 3 wraps a week, a daily cream and glute exercises, most women see smoother-looking skin in 3 to 4 weeks. Firmer glutes from exercise take 6 to 8 weeks. Keep 1 to 2 wraps a week afterwards, or the dimples come back within a few weeks. For cellulite on the thighs too, see our guide to cellulite on legs.
Shop GUAM Seaweed Body Wraps
Hot, cold and no-heat seaweed mud wraps for cellulite on buttocks, thighs and legs, made in Italy since 1986.
Shop body wraps →Frequently Asked Questions About Cellulite on Buttocks
Why do I have cellulite on my bum?
The buttocks store more fat, women's connective bands run vertically so fat bulges through, and sitting slows circulation. Hormones, genes and age add to it. Slim, fit women get it too.
How do I get rid of cellulite on my buttocks?
Combine glute exercises 3 times a week, a seaweed mud wrap 2 to 3 times a week, a daily caffeine or seaweed cream with upward massage, and less sitting. Results need upkeep.
Is removing cellulite from buttocks permanently possible?
Not completely. Exercise, wraps, creams and clinic treatments make it much less visible, but cellulite tends to return without maintenance.
What exercises help cellulite on the butt?
Glute bridges, hip thrusts, squats, reverse lunges, donkey kicks and side leg lifts, 3 sets of 12 to 15, three times a week, plus walking or cycling for circulation.
Do body wraps work for cellulite on buttocks?
Yes, for how it looks. In a 2024 study on the buttocks and thighs, 8 GUAM FIR seaweed mud wraps in 4 weeks cut cellulite nodules by 81%.
Does dry brushing help cellulite on buttocks?
It helps the skin look smoother for a while by exfoliating and boosting circulation. It works best before a shower, followed by a cream and massage.
Does sitting cause cellulite on the bum?
Sitting does not cause it, but long hours press on the buttocks and slow blood and lymph flow, so fluid builds up and dimples look deeper. Stand and move every hour.
The Bottom Line
Cellulite on buttocks comes from fat pushing through vertical connective bands, slow circulation from sitting, and hormones, not just weight. To get rid of cellulite on the buttocks as much as possible: glute exercises 3 times a week, a seaweed mud wrap 2 to 3 times a week, a daily caffeine or seaweed cream with upward massage, and less sitting. Expect smoother skin in 3 to 4 weeks, and keep up maintenance.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Cellulite treatments: What really works? aad.org
- Amuso D, et al. FIR seaweed mud for cellulite. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16268
- Insights into the pathophysiology of cellulite: a review. Dermatologic Surgery, 2020. journals.lww.com
