Some lucky women (about 10% of the population) will never have the embarrassing lumps and bumps of cellulite. For the rest of us, however, cellulite need not be a foregone conclusion. The more you know about its causes, the more you can do to prevent cellulite or engage in cellulite removal or reduction after the fact.
Unfortunately, pregnancy can signal the onset of cellulite or make its appearance worse, and there are a couple of reasons why. Three of the major contributing factors to cellulite are extra weight, hormones, and age. Onset is very common between the ages of 25 and 35 when many women are starting families.
That said, new or worsening cellulite during pregnancy need not become a permanent state of affairs. Many women find that, following childbirth and losing baby weight, cellulite diminishes. Plus, there are steps you can take to reduce it once you’ve had your baby. Here are a few things to try.
Diet and Exercise
During pregnancy, you’re expected to gain weight, and only some of it is attributed to the baby you give birth to. This is normal and necessary to properly support a growing fetus. Unfortunately, it can leave you with some extra weight to get rid of after your baby is born, even if you practiced a healthy diet and exercise during pregnancy.
The good news is that some of your baby weight will come off naturally following childbirth. As for the rest, you can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. A healthy and balanced diet will not only help you shed extra pounds, but also reduce the appearance of cellulite, helping you to get back to your pre-baby body.
Keep in mind that breastfeeding mothers will still need adequate nutrients to support the ongoing production of breastmilk. That doesn’t mean, however, you can’t observe a healthy diet and exercise routine in the meantime.
Collagen
There are many reasons why cellulite forms or why it is worse for some than others. For women, in particular, elasticity of skin and connective tissues can play a role.
If you know you are prone to cellulite due to heredity factors (as most women are), you can work to prevent and treat cellulite by boosting collagen through both dietary means and products for that purpose. Just make sure to speak with your doctor during and after pregnancy to confirm that these items are safe for your baby.
Body Contouring
Pregnant women generally aren’t good candidates for body contouring treatments, even non-invasive options like lipo laser procedures. After you’ve had your baby, if you’re having trouble diminishing cellulite despite rigorous exercise and a balanced diet, there’s no reason not to consider body contouring once your OB/GYN clears you for such procedures.
