Written by Editorial Team
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.
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.
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:
The formation of cellulite or aggravation of existing cellulite increases with maternal age.
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.
Changing levels of insulin and prolactin during pregnancy can cause cellulite.
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.
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.
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.
Following are some of the home remedies that help to reduce cellulite during pregnancy:
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.
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.
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:
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.
Cellulite forms when there is drastic weight gain. Hormonal changes can also cause cellulite. For many women pregnancy makes the cellulite look more obvious.
Unfortunately, this is not possible. It could be hormonal changes or weight gain. Exercising can improve cellulite.
No, it is not considered safe. Both heat and laser treatments can cause harm. Even cellulite creams are not recommended.
It depends on your body. For many women, it disappears on its own. For some, it improves with time.
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
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