A woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy. One of the unfortunate changes is the formation of cellulite. Although cellulite is harmless it may affect the self-confidence of the mother-to-be. While age, weight, and genes are all factors, there are various steps that can be followed to control the deposition of cellulite during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, you cannot go on extreme diets, or follow a rigorous exercise regime, so a healthy diet combined with pregnancy-safe exercises and a few lifestyle changes can help fight cellulite and keep you and your baby healthy. Read on to know what is cellulite, the causes of cellulite, and ways to prevent it.
In This Article
- What is Cellulite?
- Causes of Cellulite During Pregnancy
- Some Home Remedies to Reduce Cellulite During Pregnancy
- How to Prevent Cellulite During Pregnancy?
- FAQ’s
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is formed when fat accumulates in pockets under the skin. During pregnancy, when the mother puts on weight, the fat cells under the skin get bigger. The collagen fibers that connect the skin to fat will either stretch or may break down.
This permits the fat cells to bulge out and become visible. This gives the skin a dimpled look. It is sometimes described as an orange-peel impact or the classic cottage cheese appearance.
Cellulite mostly appears on the hips, thighs, and buttocks, but it can also show up on the knees, tummy, and under your upper arms. Pregnancy may make cellulite look worse as the weight that is gained during pregnancy can make cellulite more prominent.
Causes of Cellulite During Pregnancy
The causes of increased cellulite during pregnancy vary. It can range from poor lifestyle choices to a variety of internal body factors. The following 6 factors contribute to cellulite during pregnancy:
1. Age
The formation of cellulite or aggravation of existing cellulite increases with maternal age.
2. Weight Gain
Gaining weight is a part of pregnancy. However, the more weight you put on, the more the chances of cellulite formation or worsening of the existing cellulite.
3. Hormonal Changes
Changing levels of insulin and prolactin during pregnancy can cause cellulite.
4. Pregnancy Hormones
The connective tissues tend to loosen just like the ligaments and muscles because of pregnancy hormones. This increases the possibility of fat accumulating in these areas. Moreover, estrogen, a pregnancy hormone tends to store the fat that is essential during pregnancy.
5. Water Retention
Increased volume of body fluid, which causes water retention during the pregnancy, leads to the formation of cellulite. Looking for some tips to minimize water retention during pregnancy click here.
6. Poor Diet, Poor Blood Circulation, and Insufficient Exercise
These are other causes that result in this issue as there are increased chances of toxins getting accumulated in fatty tissues causing the formation of cellulite.
Some Home Remedies to Reduce Cellulite During Pregnancy
Following are some of the home remedies that help to reduce cellulite during pregnancy:
1. Ground Coffee
To make this mixture, take 2-3 tbsp of melted coconut oil, 1/4th cup of ground coffee, and 3 tbsp of sugar, preferably, brown sugar. Combine all this in a bowl and make a smooth thick paste. Keep it aside for a few minutes and then gently apply to the areas that are affected by cellulite.
Ensure that you are putting gentle pressure and nicely massaging the areas. Repeat this process 2-3 times in a week to notice visible changes.
2. Skin Brushing and Massaging
Using a special skin brush in a soft circular motion in the area affected by cellulite will boost circulation. This will help to control and reduce this issue. Do this a few times a week.
How to Prevent Cellulite During Pregnancy?
There are many factors that contribute to the formation of cellulite during pregnancy. Some factors are beyond our control and you can do nothing about them. But there are a few measures that you can take to prevent the formation of cellulite during pregnancy. Some of them are:
- Reduce the intake of foods that are partly responsible for the formation of cellulite. This includes fried foods, carbonated drinks, cheese, fatty meat, marinades, fast foods, sausages, sweets, and chocolate-laden products especially those which have cream in them.
- Consume more lean meats, skinless poultry, and fish. Keep away from foods that contain artificial color and flavor.
- Follow a balanced diet throughout pregnancy.
- Increase the intake of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
- Include whole grains in your pregnancy diet.
- Alkaline-rich fruits and vegetables help in balancing the acidic nature of toxins and eliminate them from the system.
- Massaging plays an important role in reducing the chances of cellulite formation. This is because massaging improves blood circulation leading to the release of toxins from the system.
- Pressotherapy, a type of physiotherapy in which external pressure is used to help blood circulation, is a very good method to minimize water retention.
- **Bear in mind that it is only safe to perform it on the hips and legs during pregnancy.
- Sticking to the recommended weight gain over the span of pregnancy reduces the chances of cellulite formation.
- Increasing the intake of fluid, especially water, helps in reducing cellulite.
- Practicing exercises permitted by your doctor and prenatal yoga help to control cellulite formation.
- Moisturizing the body twice a day will help to increase its elasticity, which will help in controlling cellulite formation.
The good news is in most cases, cellulite will eventually disappear after delivery. But remember to keep away from any treatments. Let it be laser, heat, or oral, and also any kind of creams, lotions, or oils meant for cellulite reduction. Most of them will not be safe for you and your baby.
FAQ’s
1. Why do I Have Cellulite During Pregnancy?
Cellulite forms when there is drastic weight gain. Hormonal changes can also cause cellulite. For many women pregnancy makes the cellulite look more obvious.
2. How Can I Get Rid of Cellulite During Pregnancy?
Unfortunately, this is not possible. It could be hormonal changes or weight gain. Exercising can improve cellulite.
3. Can I Undergo Treatment for Cellulite During Pregnancy?
No, it is not considered safe. Both heat and laser treatments can cause harm. Even cellulite creams are not recommended.
4. Will Cellulite Disappear After Pregnancy?
It depends on your body. For many women, it disappears on its own. For some, it improves with time.
