Dimples on the buttocks are caused by structural bands of connective tissue pulling the skin downward, and removing them requires releasing or remodeling those bands. Between 80 and 90 percent of women have some degree of this dimpling, so it’s extraordinarily common. The good news is that several treatments, ranging from lifestyle changes to minimally invasive procedures, can noticeably reduce the appearance.
What Actually Causes Buttock Dimples
Understanding the cause helps explain why some treatments work and others don’t. Beneath your skin, tough bands of connective tissue called septae run vertically from the surface down to the muscle. Fat cells sit in chambers between these bands. When the bands shorten, thicken, or lose flexibility, they pull the skin downward at their attachment points while the surrounding fat pushes upward. The result is that uneven, dimpled texture sometimes called “orange peel” skin.
This is why dimples aren’t simply a fat problem. Thin people get them too, because the issue is structural. Age makes things worse: as skin loses elasticity and becomes thinner over time, the contrast between the pulled-down spots and the surrounding tissue becomes more visible. Genetics, hormones, and hydration levels also play a role in how pronounced the dimpling appears.
Why Weight Loss Alone Won’t Fix It
Since fat is involved, many people assume losing weight will smooth things out. It can help in some cases by reducing the amount of fat pushing against the connective tissue, making dimples less pronounced. But the fibrous bands themselves remain unchanged with weight loss. If those bands are tight or thick, dimpling persists even after you’ve lost fat.
Rapid or significant weight loss can actually make things worse. Skin elasticity may not snap back, leaving behind loose skin that emphasizes uneven texture rather than smoothing it. The most effective approach combines gradual fat reduction with strategies that address the bands and the skin itself.
Building Muscle to Reduce Dimpling
Subcutaneous fat sits directly on top of muscle, so when the gluteal muscles are weak or underdeveloped, the skin surface looks more uneven. Strengthening the glutes through resistance training fills out the area beneath the fat layer, creating a firmer foundation that reduces the visible contrast between dimples and surrounding skin. Exercises like hip thrusts, squats, lunges, and deadlifts target the gluteal muscles directly.
This approach won’t eliminate deep dimples caused by very tight bands, but it meaningfully improves the overall appearance. Consistency matters more than intensity. Building noticeable muscle mass in the glutes typically takes 8 to 12 weeks of progressive resistance training, and the visual improvement in skin texture tends to follow on a similar timeline.
Subcision: Releasing the Bands Directly
The most effective way to remove individual dimples is subcision, a procedure that physically cuts the fibrous bands pulling the skin down. A device called Cellfina is the most well-known version. It’s FDA-cleared specifically for cellulite on the buttocks and posterior thighs, and it remains the only minimally invasive treatment clinically proven to improve dimpling for up to four years after a single session.
During the procedure, a tiny blade is inserted just beneath the skin to sever each band individually. The released skin bounces upward, and the dimple flattens. In one study of 50 patients, satisfaction rates climbed from 87 percent at three months to 95 percent at six months and reached 100 percent among patients followed at 15 months. Every patient in the study had successful treatment of their targeted dimples.
Recovery is straightforward. Most people return to normal activities within a day or two, though you can expect some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort. Compression garments are typically worn for two to three weeks afterward. Small amounts of fluid may leak from the tiny entry points, which is normal.
Laser Treatment for Skin Tightening
Laser-based treatments like Cellulaze work from under the skin using a small fiber-optic probe. The laser does three things in one session: it melts lumpy pockets of fat, cuts through the fibrous bands causing dimples, and heats the deeper layers of skin to trigger new collagen growth. That collagen production leads to better elasticity and increased skin thickness over the following months, which helps maintain the smoother appearance.
Because the laser addresses multiple contributing factors at once, it’s particularly useful for people who have both dimpling and overall skin laxity. Results develop gradually as collagen remodels, with the full effect typically visible three to six months after treatment. Downtime is similar to subcision, with a few days of soreness and bruising.
Radiofrequency and Acoustic Wave Therapy
For people who want a completely non-invasive option, devices that combine radiofrequency energy with acoustic waves (pressure waves) can improve mild to moderate dimpling without needles or incisions. These treatments work by heating the skin to a precise temperature that stimulates collagen production while the acoustic waves boost circulation and reduce fluid retention in the tissue.
The tradeoff is that results are more subtle and require multiple sessions. A typical treatment plan involves four sessions spread over about two weeks. This approach works best for mild dimpling or as a maintenance strategy after a more targeted procedure. It won’t release deeply anchored fibrous bands the way subcision can, but it genuinely improves skin texture and firmness for many people.
Injectable Collagen Stimulators
Biostimulatory fillers offer another option, particularly for softer, shallow dimples. These injectables aren’t traditional fillers that simply add volume. Instead, they trigger your body to produce new collagen over a period of weeks, which improves skin density, firmness, and texture from the inside out.
Two main types are used for the buttocks. Poly-L-lactic acid (sold as Sculptra) is a biocompatible polymer that gradually dissolves, leaving behind your body’s own newly produced collagen. The effect is primarily about skin quality improvement with moderate volume. Calcium hydroxylapatite (sold as Radiesse) works differently: its gel provides an immediate volumizing effect while its microspheres stimulate collagen production as the gel absorbs over time. Both can reduce the appearance of mild cellulite and soft depressions, though neither will release tight fibrous bands.
These treatments typically require two to three sessions spaced several weeks apart, with results building progressively as collagen accumulates. They’re often combined with other approaches for a more comprehensive result.
What About Cellulite Injectables?
In 2021, an injectable enzyme called Qwo became the first FDA-approved injection specifically for cellulite. It worked by dissolving the collagen in the fibrous bands, essentially doing chemically what subcision does mechanically. However, the manufacturer stopped producing it in December 2022 after clinical experience revealed unpredictable and excessive bruising along with a risk of prolonged skin discoloration. It is no longer available.
Choosing the Right Approach
The best strategy depends on how deep and widespread your dimpling is. For mild, diffuse texture changes, building gluteal muscle through resistance training combined with non-invasive radiofrequency treatments can produce a real visible difference without any procedure. For distinct, individual dimples that bother you, subcision remains the gold standard because it directly addresses the structural cause and delivers long-lasting results in a single session.
Many providers recommend a layered approach: subcision for the most visible dimples, a biostimulatory filler to improve overall skin quality, and consistent strength training to maintain the underlying muscle foundation. The combination addresses the problem at every level, from the bands to the fat to the skin to the muscle beneath it all.