Cellulite can get worse in pregnancy, but if you lose weight gradually after your baby is born, it may get better again afterwards.
Cellulite is fat that collects in pockets under the skin. Collagen fibres that connect fat to skin can stretch, break down or pull tight, allowing the fat cells to bulge out and become visible. This gives cellulite its characteristic dimpled appearance that’s sometimes described as the orange peel effect
Cellulite tends to be on the hips, thighs and bottom, but it can also appear on your knees, tummy and under your upper arms. Though cellulite isn’t an illness, it may be something that bothers you and affects your self-confidence.
Women are much more likely to have cellulite than men, partly due to having more body fat than men, particularly around the stomach, thighs and bottom. But women of all weights and sizes can get cellulite, as we all have fat cells in our skin. It’s estimated that as many as between 85 per cent and 98 per cent of women have cellulite.
Pregnancy may make cellulite look worse for a while, because the weight that you gain in pregnancy could make it more noticeable. Hormone changes in pregnancy could also play a part.
If your mum had cellulite, unfortunately, you’re likely to have it too. What you eat, how hydrated you are, your hormone levels, and the way your body burns energy, probably all play a role in whether or not you have cellulite.
There’s no evidence that anything works to prevent or get rid of cellulite. Liposuction isn’t recommended for cellulite, and may even make it worse.
Applying a moisturising cream may temporarily improve the appearance of the skin, or make it look firmer after being massaged in. But there’s no evidence that it can do more than this.
After you’ve recovered from labour and birth, the best way to deal with cellulite is to take up regular exercise and eat healthily. If you want to lose weight, do it gradually and steadily, as yo-yo dieting may make cellulite worse.