Cellulite on Arms: Why It Happens and What Helps

Topic

Health

Why you get cellulite on your arms, how to tell it from crepey skin or lipoedema, and what helps, from strength work to LPG. Omnia Lifestyle, Chiswick W4.

Cellulite on Arms: Why It Happens and What Helps

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Arm cellulite is less talked about than cellulite on the thighs, which can make it feel unusual when you notice it. It is not. Upper arms store fat in much the same way as other areas, and the skin there is thin, so dimples can show. This guide explains why you get cellulite on your arms, how to tell it from other skin changes, and what helps.

Smoother, firmer-looking arms with no needles. Your first LPG Endermologie visit is a 60-minute Discovery Session for £99, including a consultation and a full treatment. Book online or call 020 4515 0000.

Quick answer

Cellulite on arms is dimpling of the upper arm skin, usually linked to genes, hormones, weight change and collagen loss. Arm strength work and a steady weight help. At Omnia Lifestyle in Chiswick W4, LPG Endermologie can smooth the appearance over six to eight sessions, but no treatment is permanent and results vary from person to person.

Why do I have cellulite on my arms?

Cleveland Clinic lists the thighs, stomach and buttocks as the usual sites of cellulite, so the arms are a less typical place, but the same process applies: fibrous bands pull down while fat beneath pushes up. Healthline says there is no single cause in the arms. These factors raise the likelihood:

More fat under the skin of the upper arm. The more deep fat in the area, the higher the risk.
Being female, and hormones. Women are far more likely to have cellulite than men.
Weight fluctuation. Repeated gain and loss stretches the skin.
Collagen loss and thinner skin. Both make dimples easier to see with age.
Family history. Cellulite often runs in families.

For the full explanation, read what causes cellulite.

Is it cellulite, crepey skin or lipoedema?

Several things can change the look of the upper arm, and they need different approaches.

Sign	Cellulite on arms	Crepey or loose skin	Lipoedema in the arms
Look	Dimples or uneven texture	Fine crinkles or a soft hanging fold	Fuller arms, sometimes dimpled
Feel	Not painful	Not painful, thin or soft	Often tender or heavy
Bruising	Not typical	May bruise easily if the skin is thin	Bruises easily
Hands	Not relevant	Not relevant	Hands usually spared
First step	Strength work and steady weight	Crepey skin guide or bingo wings guide	See your GP

The NHS says lipoedema sometimes affects the arms and usually affects both sides equally. If your arms are painful, heavy or bruise easily, ask your GP before trying anything else. Our guide to lipoedema vs cellulite explains the signs.

How do you get rid of cellulite on your arms?

No method gets rid of arm cellulite for good, but these steps can make it less noticeable.

Build the muscles underneath. Firm triceps and shoulders fill out the upper arm. Healthline notes that presses and curls build muscle but will not remove arm fat on their own.
Add aerobic exercise. Rowing, swimming, brisk walking and cycling use the whole body.
Keep your weight steady. Avoid crash diets, which can leave skin looser.
Protect the skin. Daily sunscreen protects the collagen you have, and the upper arms are often exposed in summer.
Use self-tan if you like. It makes dimples less visible for a few days.

Our guide to how to get rid of bingo wings has a full arm workout with weights. Allow two to three months before judging any exercise plan, as Cleveland Clinic suggests.

Do massage or dry brushing help arm cellulite?

Massage may give temporary improvement by moving fluid and warming the skin, but Cleveland Clinic classes this as short term. It also says that dry brushing and handheld rollers have no evidence of lasting benefit. Enjoy them if you like them, but do not expect them to change the structure of the skin. See the best non-surgical cellulite treatments compared for how professional options stack up.

Can LPG Endermologie be used on the arms?

Yes. LPG can be used on the upper arms as well as the legs, stomach and buttocks. At Omnia we use the Cellu M6 Infinity, which works the skin with motorised rollers and controlled suction, with no needles, heat or downtime. You wear an Endermowear body suit during treatment.

Most people notice change after 6 to 8 sessions, and stubborn or fibrous cellulite takes around 10 to 12. A typical plan is a weekly course then monthly maintenance. Patrick Chedmail, our Manual Therapy Lead, has worked with Endermologie since 2011, and Khushbu Tiwari is a Chartered Physiotherapist (HCPC, MCSP).

Be realistic about the evidence. Research on LPG is mixed, and almost all of it looks at thighs and buttocks, not arms. Our review of what the research says sets out both sides. If your concern is mainly loose skin on the upper arm, see bingo wings treatment in London. If it is cellulite across several areas, see cellulite treatment in London.

Who is this not for?

LPG Endermologie is not used on the abdomen in pregnancy.
It is not suitable with active cancer, an infection, phlebitis or a blood clot, open wounds or inflamed skin.
If you have a circulatory or blood disorder, recent surgery, a pacemaker or an implanted device, get advice from your doctor or surgeon first.
If skin hangs in a fold from your upper arm, LPG will not lift it. An arm lift is the option that removes skin, and the cost guide explains what that involves.

See your GP for unexplained swelling, pain or skin change in one arm, or if a lump appears. Sudden swelling in one arm needs prompt medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to have cellulite on your arms?

Yes. It is less common than on the thighs, but it is harmless and happens to people of all sizes.

What does arm cellulite look like?

Small dimples or an uneven, orange-peel texture on the back or outer side of the upper arm, most obvious when you lift or squeeze the arm.

Can exercise get rid of cellulite on arms?

Exercise can improve the look of the area by building muscle, but it does not change the fibrous bands beneath the skin.

Why do I have cellulite on my arms but I am thin?

Skin structure, hormones, age and genes all play a part, so cellulite is not only about body fat.

How much does LPG for arms cost?

A Discovery Session is £99 for 60 minutes. Follow-up sessions are 35 minutes for £70, 45 minutes for £90, 50 minutes for £100 and 60 minutes for £120.

Arm cellulite treatment in Chiswick

Omnia Lifestyle is at 8 to 9 Bedford Corner, The Avenue, Chiswick W4 1LZ, close to Turnham Green station, on bus routes 94, E3 and 272. Limited parking is available on request when booking. LPG sessions run Monday to Saturday.

Book LPG Endermologie in Chiswick: Discovery Session £99 for 60 minutes, including consultation and treatment, then follow-up sessions from £70. You pay after your treatment. Book online or call 020 4515 0000.