Cellulite on the calves: How to get rid of orange peel skin

Balz Schürmann

About the author: Balz Schürmann (CEO)
Balz Schürmann is the founder of skin689 and shares his in-depth knowledge about effective skincare for cellulite in our journal. As the developer of the innovative active ingredient CHacoll®, he brings many years of experience in formulating highly effective cosmetic products "Made in Switzerland." His expertise is based on a deep understanding of the causes of visible skin changes—and how to effectively address them.

A large majority of women will experience cellulite at some point in their lives: estimates suggest that 80 to 95% of all women are affected. These unsightly dimples can appear in various places – from the hips to the thighs. In rare cases, cellulite can also occur on the calves and alter the skin's appearance.

Women affected by cellulite often have weak connective tissue and a genetic predisposition to cellulite. In this article, we summarize what causes cellulite on the calves, how to recognize it, and what treatment options are available.

Here we present the anti-cellulite cream from skin689: It was developed by us to give the skin more elasticity and to fight cellulite.

The most important points in brief:

  • How does cellulite develop on the calves? Cellulite on the calves can be caused by prolonged sitting and restricted blood flow in the vessels.
  • How can I recognize cellulite or orange peel skin on my calves? Cellulite on the calves can occur in different stages and manifest itself in different ways.
  • How does cellulite differ from lipedema? Cellulite is a cosmetic problem, while lipedema can be associated with severe pain.

How does cellulite develop on the calves?

Cellulite is a change in the skin's surface: dimples become visible, which many women find aesthetically displeasing. Cellulite most commonly appears on the hips, buttocks, and thighs – however, it can also be noticeable on the calves. Although cellulite is significantly less common on the calves than in other areas, it can be a major source of distress for those affected.

One possible cause of cellulite on the calves is prolonged sitting – for example, from sitting at a desk for extended periods. The legs and hips are bent for a long time, restricting blood flow. This can negatively affect the lymphatic system, causing fat cells to accumulate and leading to cellulite on the calves.

Women are generally more frequently affected by cellulite. This is because they naturally have less firm connective tissue. In addition, the connective tissue fibers in women run parallel to each other, while in men they form a network. This automatically gives women a predisposition to cellulite. The female sex hormone estrogen can further promote the development of cellulite.

Other causes of cellulite can include stress, hormonal imbalances, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Many women develop cellulite on their calves as a result of significant weight gain.

Would you like to learn more about cellulite, connective tissue, and subcutaneous fat? Many helpful articles await you in our journal:


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How can I recognize cellulite or orange peel skin on my calves?

When the appearance of the skin changes, many women wonder what the cause is. Cellulite on the calves can occur in different stages and be accompanied by various skin changes:

Stage I

In this initial stage, the dimples are only visible when the muscle is tensed. When lying down, however, no skin changes are visible. The connective tissue strands under the skin may be partially shortened.

Stage II

Stage 2 cellulite is visible in both relaxed and tensed muscle states. This is structural cellulite – the volume of fatty tissue continues to increase. As a result, the small blood vessels are increasingly compressed.

Stage III

Stage 3 cellulite is highly visible and often accompanied by hardening under the skin. Those affected frequently complain of heavy legs, as lymph and blood circulation are severely restricted when walking. Fluid retention is also possible.

If you've noticed dimples on your calves, it could be cellulite. As soon as you discover this cosmetic issue, you should consider taking steps to combat it. Our experience shows that early treatment often yields greater results.

Take a look at the anti-cellulite cream from skin689: With its high-quality ingredients, it can improve skin structure on several levels and reduce cellulite on the calves.


Anti-cellulite cream

Anti-cellulite cream


Firm Skin Tummy & Hips

Firm Skin Tummy & Hips


Firm Skin Upper Arms

Firm Skin Upper Arms

How does cellulite differ from lipedema?

Cellulite is purely a cosmetic issue: it is not a disease and is often asymptomatic. Fat cells penetrate the structure of the connective tissue, resulting in dimples.

In contrast, lipedema involves changes in the structure of the connective tissue: Fat cells multiply uncontrollably in the affected areas. Those affected often find it difficult to distinguish between cellulite and lipedema in stage 2 or 3.

Lipedema is primarily characterized by the affected areas being sensitive to pain. Bruising and hematomas also develop easily. If you suffer from lipedema, nodules may also form under the skin.

If you suspect that it could be lipedema, you should have this suspicion checked by a doctor.

Exercise, massage & alternating showers: What helps against cellulite on the calves?

Do you dream of smooth skin without dimples? Many women wonder what they can do about cellulite on their calves and whether treatment is actually possible. There are some simple tips that can help reduce the appearance of dimples.

Avoid sitting for long periods.

One possible cause of cellulite on the calves is prolonged sitting. This is often unavoidable in everyday life: you sit at the wheel on your way to work, sit at the office, and sit even after work. This can restrict blood flow in the main vessels in the groin and knees for several hours. In the long run, this can trigger cellulite on the calves.

If possible, you should avoid prolonged sitting. Get up and move around regularly. This is often possible even with office work and can at least help a little if you want to prevent cellulite on your calves.

Focus on a balanced diet

Diet has a major influence on the development of cellulite. An unhealthy lifestyle with high alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine consumption can promote cellulite.

Instead, you should focus on a healthy diet. While this won't prevent cellulite on your calves, it will do your body good. A diet rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals can contribute to a better overall sense of well-being.

Do you do sports?

As you have already learned in this article, cellulite in many women is caused by a genetic predisposition. Exercise cannot prevent cellulite, but it can at least contribute to its prevention.

Therefore, exercise regularly and stay fit. Calves, in particular, are relatively easy to train and can be strengthened with simple exercises. Physical activity improves your overall well-being, stimulates your metabolism, and can help keep your skin firm. Ideally, choose sports you enjoy.

Promote blood circulation with massages and alternating hot and cold showers.

If you already have cellulite on your calves, massages can help stimulate blood circulation – which can be inhibited, for example, by prolonged sitting every day. This is because, in cellulite, fat cells are stored in the tissue: a massage supports the lymphatic system and can improve its function.

To improve the appearance of the skin on your calves, you need to massage the affected areas regularly. Only then can the mechanical treatment have a positive effect.

Treatment with the anti-cellulite cream from skin689

Do you want to improve the appearance of the skin on your calves? Do you wish for less visible dimples? Then we recommend the anti-cellulite cream from skin689: It was developed by us to improve your skin's appearance.

Many manufacturers rely on caffeine in their creams: However, this active ingredient only provides short-term smoothing of the skin. In contrast, our cream uses our own active ingredient, CHacoll, which originates from medical research. It works deep into the subcutaneous tissue to address the root causes of cellulite – weakened connective tissue and accumulated fat cells.

"What's so impressive about skin689 and CHacoll® is that not only has their effectiveness been impressively demonstrated in various studies, but we also have a better understanding of exactly what's happening. This has allowed us to target not only the appearance of cellulite with our products, but also to specifically strengthen and care for other forms of sagging and tired skin."
Quote from Prof. Dr. Sven Gohla, expert in dermopharmacy

This dual mechanism of action can significantly improve the appearance of cellulite: Our application study has confirmed this. Anti-cellulite cream ensures a structural and sustainable effect.

With regular use, you can expect to see initial results within 4 to 12 weeks. You will notice that your skin appears significantly smoother and firmer.

Discover our high-quality products now – such as Firm Skin Tummy & Hips and Firm Skin Upper Arms – and let their effectiveness convince you:


Anti-cellulite cream

Anti-cellulite cream


Firm Skin Tummy & Hips

Firm Skin Tummy & Hips


Firm Skin Upper Arms

Firm Skin Upper Arms

Get rid of cellulite with the effective cream from skin689

If you have cellulite on your calves, hips, or buttocks and would like to do something about it, we recommend our anti-cellulite cream. We rely on our innovative active ingredient CHacoll, which combats the causes of cellulite and eliminates it in the long term. The cream strengthens connective tissue, compresses fat cells, and improves skin elasticity.

Feel free to browse our product range and find the right cream for your needs.


Sources:

aok.de/pk/magazin/koerper-psyche/haut-und-allergie/cellulite-bekaempfen-so-werden-sie-orangenhaut-los/
pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/beine-in-bestform/
praxisklinik.com/fachwissen/cellulite/

Veröffentlicht am: 18. December 2025
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Frequently asked questions about cellulite on the calves

Why am I suddenly developing cellulite on my calves?

If cellulite suddenly appears on your calves, there could be several reasons. These include weight gain or hormonal changes. Prolonged sitting can also trigger cellulite on the calves. Often, no clear cause can be identified – in this case, the anti-cellulite cream from skin689 can help improve your skin's appearance.

Will cellulite decrease if I lose weight?

Many women believe that their cellulite will simply disappear if they lose weight. However, this is a misconception, as cellulite can also occur in slim women. Often, weight loss has no effect on cellulite. In some women, it even worsens because the skin doesn't fully retract.

What is special about skin689 products?

All skin689 products are developed in Switzerland and consist of high-quality ingredients. We regularly have both their effectiveness and safety tested in independent studies. With us, you are choosing a highly effective premium skincare line from Switzerland.