Does Endermologie work for cellulite?
Endermologie can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite, which is the use the FDA cleared in 2000. The published studies are mixed. In a 2009 study, 33 women had 15 sessions and 5 of them looked visibly smoother. Body measurements shrank far more often than the dimpling faded.
Published · Written by Kay Woodson · Results vary.What does the FDA clearance say?
The FDA cleared LPG's line of devices, the Cellu M6 among them, on January 18, 2000, under 510(k) K990445. One of the cleared uses reads, word for word: "Temporarily reduces the appearance of cellulite." The others relate to minor muscle aches and spasm.
Two words in that line carry the meaning. "Temporarily" means the effect fades without upkeep. "Appearance" means how the skin looks, not a change to what causes cellulite. That is the full claim Karisma makes, and nothing beyond it.
What did the published studies find?
Three studies on Endermologie and cellulite, as summarized in their PubMed abstracts. None is large.
| Study | Who and how often | Cellulite result | Other findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collis and colleagues, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1999 | 52 women finished a 12-week randomized trial, treated twice a week on an earlier LPG model, the ES1 | Patients rated 10 of 35 treated legs improved. Measurements showed no difference between legs | The authors did not consider it effective for cellulite |
| Güleç, International Journal of Dermatology, 2009 | 33 women, 15 sessions, twice a week | 5 women (15%) looked smoother in photos. Average grades improved | Circumference dropped at all 8 measured sites. Women who lost weight lost more |
| Kutlubay and colleagues, Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013 | 118 women, at least 15 sessions, twice a week | Graded from photos, but the abstract gives no cellulite figure | 117 lost circumference, 2.9 cm per site on average. 103 also lost weight. 81 reported high satisfaction |
Abstracts read on PubMed on October 29, 2026. Links in the Sources list below.
How should you read those numbers?
The cellulite results are modest. The 2009 author described the method as "mildly effective" for the orange-peel look, even though average grades did move in the right direction.
The measurement results look stronger but are harder to read. In 2013, 87% of the women also lost weight during treatment, and in 2009 the ones who lost weight lost the most inches. Weight change alone shrinks a waist or a thigh, so these studies cannot fully separate the two.
The plain answer: Endermologie may soften how cellulite looks for some women, for a while, with regular sessions. It does not remove cellulite, and the independent studies do not show a visible change for most women.
What does LPG claim, and why is it higher?
LPG's own cellulite page states that after 12 sessions, 93% of women noted a smoothed orange-peel appearance. The footnote cites a 2024 study report by Institut beScored (Hausswirth and colleagues) on the current Cellu M6 device. The page does not give the number of women, and the report does not appear on PubMed.
Part of the gap between 93% and 15% is who did the judging. LPG's figure counts what women noticed themselves. The 2009 figure comes from photos graded on a 4-stage scale. Both matter, but they are different measures, and the 1999 trial showed the same split: patients saw improvement the tape and ultrasound did not.
When it may be worth trying
Your cellulite is mild to moderate. The 2009 study enrolled women at grades 1 to 3 on a 4-stage scale. You can keep up regular visits, and you are at peace with a result that is temporary and varies.
When to skip it
You want cellulite gone for good, or you cannot commit to a series. If your legs are painful or swollen, see a physician first. The FDA file lists open wounds and skin cancer in the treated area as reasons not to treat.
How Kay approaches cellulite at Karisma
Kay works on the LPG Endermologie® Cellu M6 Alliance®, with you in an Endermowear suit, in 60-minute body sessions. She talks through these numbers at your first visit so your expectations match the evidence. Kay takes photos before treatment. After a series, the next step follows your goal: more sessions if the look of cellulite is the aim, once a month if you come for relaxation, and as needed for post-workout recovery.
For the treatment itself, see LPG Endermologie in Melbourne, FL. To budget a series, see what Endermologie costs and how many sessions people book.
Questions about Endermologie and cellulite
Is Endermologie FDA-cleared for cellulite?
Yes, as a 510(k) clearance. That means the FDA accepted it as equivalent to a device already on the market. The cleared wording is that it temporarily reduces the appearance of cellulite.
Does Endermologie get rid of cellulite?
No. At most it softens how cellulite looks, for a time. A promise of removal goes beyond both the evidence and the FDA clearance.
How long do the results last?
The cleared wording says temporary. The three study abstracts report results at the end of treatment, not months later, so they cannot say how long a change holds. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that cellulite tends to return within about a month of stopping, which is why LPG suggests one session a month afterward. More in how long Endermologie results last.
- FDA 510(k) database, K990445, LPG Therapeutic Massager (LPG USA), decision January 18, 2000
- FDA 510(k) summary and indications for use, K990445, checked October 29, 2026
- Collis N et al. Cellulite treatment: a myth or reality. Plast Reconstr Surg, 1999
- Güleç AT. Treatment of cellulite with LPG endermologie. Int J Dermatol, 2009
- Kutlubay Z et al. An alternative treatment modality for cellulite: LPG endermologie. J Cosmet Laser Ther, 2013
- Cellulite treatments: What really works?, American Academy of Dermatology, checked October 29, 2026
- LPG frequently asked questions (maintenance pace), checked October 29, 2026
- LPG, Smooth cellulite (body treatments page), checked October 29, 2026