Aesthetic Doctors Australia

Menu

Where would you like to begin?

Unsure where to start? A consultation can help clarify your concerns, suitability, risks, downtime and available options.

1167 Burke Road, Kew VIC 3101

Book consultation

Cellulite subcision & buttock contour in Kew, Melbourne

Subcision for Cellulite Melbourne

Doctor-performed buttock cellulite treatment combining subcision (releasing fibrous bands) with a collagen biostimulator: the only evidence-based approach to genuine cellulite, not the marketing-led ones that don't work.

Reviewed by Dr Rakib Uddin AHPRA MED0001936872

Book a consultation What it costs
  • Performed by Dr Rakib and his team
  • Personalised assessment first
  • Clear advice, including when not to treat
Buttock cellulite treatment at Aesthetic Doctors Australia by Dr Rakib in Melbourne
Performed by Dr Rakib

What it is

What is subcision for cellulite?

Cellulite is not a skin problem: it's a structural problem. Fibrous bands between skin and underlying fascia tether the skin down, creating the dimples you see. The only mechanically logical treatment is to release those bands and support the released area with collagen stimulation. That's what we do.

Subcision (cutting the band with a fine cannula) plus biostimulator (collagen biostimulator or similar to support the released area) is the most evidence-based approach. RF microneedling, lasers, topicals and massage don't release the bands. They soften texture briefly but don't fix the underlying issue.

In subcision, a fine cannula is passed beneath the dimple to divide the fibrous band tethering the skin to the deeper fascia. Once the band is released the skin is no longer pulled down and the depression lifts. The change is mechanical and, for that dimple, durable. Suitability is assessed in person: clear, discrete dimples respond best, and diffuse rippling without specific tethers responds less well.

  • The real cause

    Fibrous bands

    Cellulite is a structural problem: RF and topicals don't fix it.

  • Combined

    Subcision + biostimulator

    Release the band, support the released area: the evidence-based approach.

  • Once released

    12–24+ months

    Bands don't 'grow back'; properly treated dimples can last very long.

What it treats

What does subcision for cellulite treat?

Subcision for cellulite is most often planned for buttock cellulite, dimpling, posterior thigh dimples, smoother contour. The treatment only makes sense when it matches the cause of your concern; here is where it fits.

  • Buttock cellulite and dimpling

    Explore this concern

    Why it happens

    Fibrous bands run from the deep fascia to the underside of the skin. As fat compartments swell or descend with age, the tethered points pull skin downward, creating visible dimples: independent of weight or fitness.

    Treatment role

    Subcision releases the band; biostimulator fills and supports the released area. Result is mechanical, not cosmetic: the structural problem is solved.

Results

Each case is a single composite photographed at the practice: the concern that brought the patient in, the treatment performed, and the point at which the result was reviewed. Outcomes vary from person to person. This is clinical context, not a promise.

Every consented case across all treatments
Before and after composite showing cellulite dimpling through the buttock treated with subcision and a collagen biostimulator
This result is specific to this patient and will not necessarily reflect another person's outcome.
Concern
Cellulite dimpling through the buttock and upper thigh
Treatment
Subcision with biostimulator support

Images are real patients treated by Dr Rakib Uddin and are used with consent. Individual outcomes vary depending on anatomy, medical history, technique and aftercare; results shown are not a guarantee of yours.

From the clinic

Subcision for cellulite, in practice.

Selected imagery from the clinic: the same material discussed at consultation.

4 images · tap to enlarge

Imagery reflects work performed at the clinic. Individual results vary: outcomes depend on anatomy, the agreed plan and aftercare. Shown for education, not as a guarantee of result.

How it works

How does subcision for cellulite work?

Cellulite anatomy reference for evidence-based treatment at Aesthetic Doctors Australia Step 01

01 / 03

Why most cellulite treatments don't work

Topicals, massage, RF microneedling and lasers act on skin or fat, but cellulite isn't a skin or fat problem. The fibrous band tethering skin to fascia is the actual cause. Without releasing the band, the dimple persists no matter how the skin is treated.

Subcision technique reference at Aesthetic Doctors Australia Step 02

02 / 03

Subcision: the mechanical release

A fine cannula is introduced beneath the dimple and used to cut the fibrous band tethering the skin. The skin immediately lifts free of the depression. The release is mechanical and definitive: the band doesn't re-form in the same way.

Biostimulator support after subcision at Aesthetic Doctors Australia Step 03

03 / 03

Biostimulator support

After release, the area can re-collapse if not supported. Calcium hydroxylapatite biostimulator placed underneath fills the depression and triggers collagen production to maintain the lift. The result holds because both the band is gone and the support is in place.

Whether it suits you

Is subcision for cellulite right for you?

The two lists below are where that answer starts; it is confirmed in person, never assumed. Balanced information protects you.

May be suitable for

  • Buttock cellulite with discrete tethered dimples
  • Posterior thigh cellulite patterns
  • Patients who've tried less-invasive options without success
  • Realistic expectations of substantial improvement, not perfection

May not be suitable for

  • Generalised skin laxity without specific dimples (different problem)
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Active infection in treatment area
  • Bleeding disorders or anticoagulation that can't be paused

The assessment

What happens at a subcision for cellulite consultation?

Expertise shows in process. Before any recommendation, your consultation examines:

Book your assessment
  1. 01

    Dimple pattern: how many, how deep, what's tethering

  2. 02

    Whether subcision alone or with biostimulator is appropriate

  3. 03

    Treatment area realistic expectations: full release possible per dimple

  4. 04

    Photography for objective comparison

  5. 05

    Full discussion of what won't work (RF, lasers, topicals)

What to expect

How long does subcision for cellulite take to work?

The short version: significant improvement immediately; settled at 8–12 weeks. Stage by stage:

  1. Day 0

    Treatment day

    Local anaesthetic, subcision, biostimulator placement. Immediate visible improvement; significant bruising/swelling typical.

  2. Weeks 1–4

    Healing

    Bruising clears; tissue settles; first proper view of result.

  3. Weeks 8–12

    Biostimulation

    Collagen response matures; result refines and consolidates.

  4. 12–24+ months

    Long-term

    Released bands stay released; biostimulator effect persists. Repeat for any remaining dimples.

Aesthetic medicine

In practice
“Stop treating cellulite as skin. Treat it as the structural problem it is.”

A consultation philosophy of restraint, anatomical precision and natural-looking outcomes: applied to subcision for cellulite planning.

Aesthetic Doctors Australia
by Dr Rakib

On the day

What happens during a subcision for cellulite appointment?

  1. 01

    Consultation

    Your concern, history and goals: discussed before anything else.

  2. 02

    Assessment

    Anatomy, suitability and alternatives examined properly.

  3. 03

    Planning

    A personalised plan with costs, staging and realistic outcomes.

  4. 04

    Procedure

    Performed by Dr Rakib or a clinician working to his plan, with comfort prioritised.

  5. 05

    Recovery

    Clear aftercare and direct access to the clinic with questions.

  6. 06

    Review

    Results checked against plan; refinements made where needed.

Recovery

What is recovery like after subcision for cellulite?

Typical downtime: swelling, bruising and tenderness 1–2 weeks. The specifics:

What's normal afterwards

  • Significant bruising, swelling, tenderness for 1–2 weeks
  • Tight, ache-y sensation for days
  • Firmness as product integrates

What to avoid

  • Sitting for prolonged periods for the first 48 hours (per area)
  • Strenuous lower-body exercise for 2 weeks
  • Hot tubs, saunas, and direct sun on treated area for 1 week
Complete aftercare guide

Risks and limits

What are the risks of subcision for cellulite?

No effective treatment is risk-free, and no treatment does everything. Knowing both sides is part of informed consent.

Possible side effects

  • Bruising, swelling, soreness: universal and substantial
  • Asymmetry while swelling settles
  • Possible nodules requiring conservative management
  • Infection: minimised by sterile technique but possible

Limitations to understand

  • Won't address generalised skin laxity (different problem)
  • Won't make cellulite-prone tissue cellulite-resistant going forward
  • Multiple dimples may need staged treatment over visits
  • Biostimulator is not reversible

The alternatives

Subcision for cellulite compared with the alternatives

Subcision + biostimulator vs RF microneedling for cellulite

Subcision + biostimulator

  • Treats the actual cause
  • Mechanical release of bands
  • Durable result for treated dimples

RF microneedling

  • Treats skin only
  • Doesn't release bands
  • Short-term softening at best

Which one If your concern is genuine dimples from fibrous bands, subcision is the only mechanically logical approach. RF microneedling will not produce comparable result: patients deserve clear framing of this.

What it costs

What does subcision for cellulite cost?

You receive an itemised written quote at consultation, before committing to anything. The consultation is $75 for 45 minutes with Dr Rakib Uddin, redeemed against your treatment if you go ahead.

Pricing per session at consultation. Multiple dimples often need staged treatment.

Book a consultation View pricing guide

What determines your quote

  • 01 Number of dimples being released
  • 02 Whether biostimulator is included
  • 03 Single or staged sessions

You commit to nothing in advance: the consultation costs nothing and the quote is written before anything is booked. If the recommendation is not to treat, that advice is the whole appointment.

Afterpay acceptedZip accepted

Afterpay and Zip are available for treatment fees at the clinic, subject to each provider's own approval and terms.

Dr Rakib Uddin, cosmetic doctor and founder of Aesthetic Doctors Australia

Your doctor

Dr Rakib Uddin

Cosmetic Doctor & Founder

  • MBBS (Qld)
  • BMedSci (Hons)
  • Dip. Surgical Anatomy
  • Fellow ACCSM

AHPRA MED0001936872

Whatever is recommended at your consultation is planned by Dr Rakib and performed by him or a clinician on his team: never by a non-medical injector.

Dr Rakib Uddin is a Melbourne-based cosmetic doctor with formal surgical-anatomy training and over a decade in medicine. He performs every consultation, treatment and review at Aesthetic Doctors Australia personally, and trains other doctors in advanced injectable technique at Derma Medical Academy.

“If a treatment isn't right for you, I'll tell you. Every plan is built around your anatomy, not a template, and the goal is always a refreshed version of you, not a new face.”
  • Listen to your concern in full
  • Comprehensive medical and aesthetic assessment
  • Step-by-step treatment plan: single session or staged
  • Full discussion of risks, limitations and alternatives
  • Decline to treat when a procedure would do more harm than good
About the practice

Expert questions

The questions worth asking about subcision for cellulite.

The questions that come up in the room, answered the way Dr Rakib answers them.

Why doesn't RF microneedling work for cellulite?

Because it treats the skin layer, but cellulite is caused by fibrous bands beneath the skin. RF can soften texture briefly but doesn't release the band, so the dimple persists. The clinical evidence supports subcision; RF for cellulite is mostly marketing.

Will every dimple come out?

Most discrete tethered dimples respond well. Diffuse 'orange peel' texture without specific tethers is a harder problem. Photographic assessment at consultation produces realistic per-dimple predictions.

How much downtime?

Realistically: a fortnight of bruising and tenderness; sitting is uncomfortable for several days; visible bruising can last 2 weeks. Plan around social commitments accordingly.

Will the dimples come back?

Released bands don't reform in the same way: the mechanical change is durable. Biostimulator support persists for 12–18+ months. New dimples in other locations can develop with weight or hormonal changes.

Why is it more expensive than other 'cellulite treatments'?

Because it requires doctor-level work, local anaesthetic, biostimulator product, and time per dimple. Lower-priced treatments at other clinics are typically RF or topicals: which don't address the underlying problem.

Is it done under anaesthetic?

Local anaesthetic is used so the treatment is comfortable. It is doctor-performed work: the release requires anatomical knowledge of the plane being treated, which is part of why it is not offered as a quick surface procedure.

Can I do it before an event?

Not within a fortnight of the event: bruising and swelling will be visible. Plan for at least 3 weeks recovery before significant exposure.

Related treatments

More body treatments to compare.

View all body treatments
Editorial study of natural body shapes from the practice's own imagery

Hip dip treatment

For hip dips and the side-profile contour between waist and thigh.

Read the guide
Still life of a crisp white linen shirt on a wooden hanger in cool north light

Hyperhidrosis treatment

For underarm sweating beyond what heat or exercise explains.

Read the guide
Editorial study of a neck and the slope of a shoulder from behind, the line across the trapezius described in raking light

Trapezius slimming

For prominent trapezius bulk and chronic upper-shoulder tension.

Read the guide

Consultation first

Book a personalised consultation.

Discuss subcision for cellulite with Dr Rakib Uddin: your anatomy, suitability, alternatives and realistic outcomes, before any decision is made.

Book a consultation Ask a question first

1167 Burke Road, Kew VIC 3101

Important treatment information

All information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Any before-and-after images shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not guarantee individual outcomes. Treatments performed by Dr Rakib Uddin (AHPRA MED0001936872) vary based on each patient's unique anatomy, medical history and needs. All cosmetic injectable treatments carry risks; a consultation is required prior to any treatment to assess suitability, discuss risks and alternatives, and establish realistic expectations.

Consultation Subcision for cellulite
Book