No, the crease beneath the buttocks is not necessarily cellulite. Known as the gluteal fold or infragluteal fold, it is an anatomical landmark at the junction between the buttock and the back of the thigh. Cellulite, on the other hand, refers to an uneven skin surface made up of dimples and small bumps. The two may appear in the same area without describing the same thing.
To understand what you are seeing, look separately at three elements: the line of the lower crease, the texture of the surrounding skin and the overall contour of the buttocks. A defined line does not prove the presence of cellulite or a lack of firmness.
Why is there a crease beneath the buttock?
The gluteal fold is not simply a crease created by fat. Its formation depends on structures that connect and anchor the tissues in this area. It is part of the anatomical organisation of the junction between the buttock and the thigh.
A small anatomical study published in July 2026, combining dissection and radiography, describes fascial structures that contribute to this anchoring. Fasciae are connective tissues. The abstract indicates that some sections of the fold are attached to underlying bony points, rather than its entire length being attached uniformly.
This study helps explain why the fold exists. It cannot determine the exact structure of your own tissues from a mirror or photograph. Nor does it assess the effectiveness of a cosmetic treatment.
A visible crease is not a flaw that needs correcting
The presence of this line is not enough to conclude that your buttocks are “sagging”. The lower crease and the overall curve are two different observations. You can have a clearly defined gluteal fold without seeing dimpling around it.
If your question is really about overall volume, our article on flat buttocks and shaping covers a different topic. Here, the aim is to recognise an anatomical landmark, not to change the shape of the buttocks.
What distinguishes the gluteal fold from cellulite?
The fold forms a line at the lower edge of the buttock. Cellulite is more closely related to the texture of the skin’s surface: depressions and bumps create an uneven appearance, often called orange-peel skin.
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The Cleveland Clinic explains this texture through the interaction between subcutaneous fat and bands of connective tissue: some bands pull the skin down while the fat pushes it upwards. It also notes that cellulite may be visible at rest or only when the skin is pinched.
The difference, then, is not whether a “crease” is deep or shallow. It is mainly an anatomical line on one side and surface irregularities on the other. Their proximity can nevertheless make the area harder to interpret.
The two can coexist
You may see a continuous lower crease with small dimples just above or below it. The line and the uneven skin surface are then two characteristics found in the same region. It would be inaccurate to describe everything beneath the buttock as cellulite.
To locate uneven skin texture on other parts of the body, you can consult our guide to cellulite by body area. The presence of a crease remains a separate question from the presence of dimpling.
A word-based diagram to help you observe more clearly
Imagine three levels of observation, without trying to classify everything at once.
- The line: it follows the lower edge of the buttock, where it meets the thigh.
- The surface: it may be smooth or show small dimples and bumps around the line.
- The contour: it describes the overall shape and volume of the buttock, not just its texture.
This distinction helps you describe what you see more precisely: “I can see a line beneath the buttock” is more accurate than “This whole area is cellulite”.
| What you observe | What you can describe | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| A line where the buttock meets the thigh | A visible lower crease | The presence of cellulite or a lack of firmness |
| Several small depressions around the crease | A skin texture consistent with dimpling | The nature of every irregularity in a single photograph |
| A difference between two photographs | A different visual appearance | An actual change in the tissues |
| A change in the overall contour | A difference in apparent shape or volume | A change in cellulite on its own |
Why a photograph can be misleading
Side lighting accentuates shadows. Your posture and the compression caused by clothing can also change what is visible. When comparing two observations, using similar lighting and positioning can limit these differences. This is a personal reference point, not a diagnostic test.
Our article on exercises to lift the glutes addresses a different goal. The visibility of the crease alone does not indicate that you need a strengthening programme.
What about moisturising the skin?
If you want to moisturise healthy skin in this area, a body moisturiser may be included in your usual skincare routine. Moisturising concerns the surface of the skin: it does not change the anatomical attachment of the crease and should not be presented as a way to remove it.
The important distinction remains the same: a moisturiser can support skin comfort and hydration, while it cannot alter the underlying anatomy of the gluteal fold.
Frequently asked questions
Does a very pronounced crease mean that I have a lot of cellulite?
No. The apparent depth of the gluteal fold does not measure cellulite. Cellulite is described by surface irregularities, not by the visibility of the crease alone.
Can you have this crease if you are slim?
Yes, because it is an anatomical landmark. The Cleveland Clinic also points out that very slim people can have cellulite too, so body size cannot settle the question.
When should you seek medical advice?
Pain, redness, swelling or a new lump should not automatically be attributed to cellulite. Have an unusual change examined, especially if it appears suddenly. An old, stable crease without symptoms does not have the same significance.
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