Cellulite during pregnancy arises as a result of stretching of the skin around the abdomen as the abdomen enlarges. Cellulite initially looks like red streaks and then turns silvery in color. Cellulite during pregnancy can be avoided and reduced if from the very beginning of pregnancy you have done something to prevent it. Learn how to prevent cellulite by changing your lifestyle, taking care of your skin and taking care of it after your baby is born.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Cellulite
Step 1. Eat a nutritious diet
During pregnancy you may have eaten a healthy diet so that your baby gets enough vitamins and nutrients. Adding foods that are beneficial to the health of your skin can improve its elasticity, thereby avoiding cellulite. Include the following foods in your daily diet:
- Foods rich in antioxidants that will nourish and protect the skin. Eat spinach, blueberries, strawberries, and other fresh fruits and vegetables. #* Foods that contain vitamin E which will protect cell membranes. Eat nuts, seeds, avocado, and broccoli.
- Foods that contain vitamin A, which can repair skin tissue. Eat carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, pumpkins and red peppers.
- Foods that contain omega 3, which will maintain the health of cell membranes and make your skin glow. Eat fish, fish oil, walnuts, eggs and oysters.
Step 2. Meet your body's fluid needs
Water will help cleanse your body and keep your skin supple, so your skin will be healthier and more likely to return to its original shape after being stretched during pregnancy. Drink plenty of water by doing these habits:
- Drink 8 glasses of water every day. If you find it difficult to drink this much water, bring a large water bottle that contains the equivalent of two glasses of water (400 ml). Fill this bottle four times a day, so you don't have to fill 8 glasses of water and you can drink water more easily.
- Drink herbal tea. Choosing a tea that does not contain caffeine will help you to meet your body's fluid needs, and can reduce the boredom of drinking only water every day.
- Eat fruits and vegetables that contain lots of water. Eating vegetables that contain lots of water is one way that you can do to meet the body's fluid needs. Eat a large salad containing cucumbers, fresh peppers and celery. Choose watermelon, melon, strawberry, and other juicy fruit instead of your dessert.
Step 3. Exercise during pregnancy
Exercising will help the skin to restore its elasticity by increasing your body's circulation. The added benefit of exercising is preventing excess weight, and controlling the appearance of cellulite. Include exercise as part of your daily activities in the following ways:
- Do exercise that can ease your pregnancy. Stretch your body, do Kegel exercises, and other simple movements that can increase your blood flow and make you feel more comfortable during pregnancy.
- Try pregnancy yoga and other light exercise. Yoga and poilates will give you the opportunity to exercise without forcing your body to move too much so that it remains comfortable throughout your pregnancy.
Step 4. Control your weight gain
Cellulite occurs when you gain a lot of weight in a short time. If you follow your doctor's guidelines so that your weight gain is gradual, then you can reduce the chances of developing cellulite.
- Avoid the "for two" diet. You do have to eat more calories than before you got pregnant, but that doesn't mean twice as much.
- When you have cravings, try some of the food you want, such as ice cream, and a bowl of fresh fruit. That way you will feel full while fulfilling your cravings.
Method 2 of 3: Starting a New Skin Treatment to Prevent Cellulite
Step 1. Brush your skin
Exfoliating your skin with a dry brush will increase circulation and keep your skin healthy. This method is recommended to reduce the appearance of cellulite that has arisen, although brushing the skin with a dry brush can also be used to prevent cellulite.
- Use a dry brush made of natural fibers. The fiber will be stiff enough but not hard so it is safe for your skin.
- Start brushing at the base of your feet and brush upward toward your heart. Focus on areas where cellulite is likely to appear, such as your buttocks and abdomen. After you're done brushing, take a shower to cleanse your body of dead skin cells.
- Do not brush your breasts with a dry brush, because the skin in these areas is more sensitive and can be easily damaged by brush rubbing.
Step 2. Do not use harsh chemicals on your skin
Many commercial soaps contain sulfates which can dry out your skin and reduce its elasticity over time. Choose a cleanser made from natural oils that can moisturize your skin and don't dry it out.
- Coconut oil can be used as a healthy skin cleanser. Apply it on your skin, rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
- You may not need to clean your skin with soap if your skin is very dry. Wash your skin with warm water and pat it dry.
Step 3. Moisturize your skin
Moisturizer is very important used to moisturize the stomach, lower back, thighs, legs and wherever cellulite may appear. Ordinary lotions can't penetrate the deep layers of the skin, so use a moisturizing product made especially for pregnant women or use natural oils.
- Bio-Oil, cocoa butter, almond oil, shea butter, and wheat germ oil are widely used moisturizers and are quite effective for use during pregnancy. You can also use pure lanolin, which is made from the oil produced by sheep to keep the coat moist.
- Moisturize your skin in the morning after showering and again at night. If you feel itchy areas where your skin stretches, then you need to apply more moisturizer in those areas.
Step 4. Use sunscreen
If you are swimming or will be spending time in the sun, make sure you apply sunscreen on your stomach, chest and other areas where cellulite may develop. The sun's rays can damage the skin so you need to protect your skin, especially during pregnancy.
Method 3 of 3: Maintaining Good Habits After Childbirth
Step 1. Continue to eat foods that nourish your skin
Don't stop eating fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish and avocados after giving birth. The postpartum period is an important time to make sure your skin stays healthy so it can recover after stretching.
- Don't go on a diet to lose weight fast after giving birth. Lose weight gradually, as if you were gaining weight, so that your skin has time to tighten again.
- Continue to meet your fluid needs by drinking plenty of water to help restore your skin's elasticity.
Step 2. Exercise regularly, After your baby is born, you can increase your exercise movements, not only those that are safe during childbirth
Exercise four or five times a week, focusing on the following:
Strength training. Building strong muscles will help your skin tighten again. Try lifting weights and working out with a trainer so you can find the right workout for you. #*Cardio workout. Swimming, running, and cycling will keep your circulation healthy and help your skin return to the way it was before you got pregnant
Step 3. Cellulite treatment
If eventually cellulite appears on your skin - this can happen even if you have prevented it - treat it while the cellulite has just appeared. Apply cellulite ointment containing glycolic acid on the abdomen, sides and any part of the skin where cellulite is present.
- Prescription creams containing retinoids, should not be used while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, can also be used to get rid of cellulite.
- Using glycolic acid and a retinoid at the same time will give better results than using the two products separately.
- If these two products also can't get rid of cellulite, you can try laser treatments to get rid of cellulite which are quite effective.
Tips
- You can make your own cellulite cream using cocoa butter, olive oil, and vitamin E cream.
- Cellulite is to some degree genetic. If your mother had cellulite, chances are you will too, although taking precautions can reduce it.
