Exfoliation
Getting rid of dry and flaky skin by rubbing gently improves your skin tone and although there are masses of products on the market dedicated to this, don’t forget that the humble face flannel or sponge – scrupulously clean of course – also acts as an exfoliant.
Just as with the face, people with dry or sensitive skins should exfoliate two or three times a week while those with more oily skins should so do once a week for maximum benefit.
For those who’d like to try a well-known health spa treatment, rub cooking salt all over your damp body then shower off. You might get your partner’s help and then give him or her the treatment too. The salt leaves your skin feeling tingly fresh and super smooth.
Dry skin
Massage moisturising cream all over your body paying particular attention to dry areas. These areas are often on non-fleshy parts of the body like the shins, elbows and knees.
For top life-style tips to improve your skin tone see Face first.
Cellulite
It’s either a myth or the curse of today’s female population. While some might dispute its existence as a separate condition from just plain fat, there’s no doubt that a vast number of women suffer from cellulite – that ‘dimpling’ or ‘orange peel skin’ found usually on hips, thighs and buttocks but sometimes on our upper arms as well. Many experts believe that it’s probably caused by increased levels of the hormone oestrogen that leads to fluid retention between the fat cells. This often happens during pregnancy. Whatever its cause – cellulite is perceived as ageing and unattractive which makes it a prime target for the beauty industry.
All sorts of claims are made about cellulite and how to get rid of it. Particular creams as well as capsules taken internally have all claimed to ‘cure’ cellulite but few, if any, of these results have been clinically proven. In fact in recent tests of one cellulite cream and one electrical treatment carried out in Bradford cosmetic clinics, neither produced much improvement in the women treated for cellulite.
Preventing and improving cellulite
Pamper yourself
A professional massage is a real luxury but you can achieve some of the effects at home. Self-massage is tricky especially in the cellulite areas so you might like to ask a partner or close friend to use fast ‘hacking’ movements over the buttocks and thighs. These shouldn’t hurt as they’re performed with the side of the hands, making upwards bouncy movements.
For a gentle massage and to stimulate blood flow try using a body brush. Set aside a few minute before your bath or shower and using long sweeping movements and firm but not hard pressure brush:
- From the tips of the fingers and up the arms
- Down the neck, across the shoulders and down the breasts
- Down the back and tummy
- From the toes up the front and back of legs and over the buttocks.
After bathing or showering, massage in a moisturising cream. Remember that your body will respond to caring treatment and healthy lifestyle changes but it will take time.
Home treatment
The effects of cellulite can be minimised by taking a hot bath containing four cups of Epsom Salts just before going to bed. Relax in the water for about half an hour then rinse off and dry.
Lovely legs
When it comes to skin care many of us forget about our legs and yet these can be one of our driest areas, especially down the shin area. For those who are always busy, there are now several moisturising body washes on the market. You only have to use a little of these washes (about the same amount as toothpaste) and if used with a flannel or body puff you’ll be sloughing off dead skin cells and stimulating the circulation at the same time. Use daily and you’ll notice an improvement to your skin tone – especially those areas you usually forget to moisturise.
Once or twice a week use an exfoliator on damp skin. This will remove dead skin cells and lift off surface debris leaving skin satin smooth. Exfoliated skin absorbs moisturisers more effectively.
To complete the satin smooth effect, many women remove the hair on their legs, some just doing this to the lower leg. If you use a razor, any nicks or redness can be treated with witch hazel applied directly. Shaving needs to be repeated every few days. Depilatory creams last a little longer as they remove the hair from just below the skin’s surface.
For hassle free, longer lasting hair removal waxing is the answer and there are various kits to make the treatment clean and simple at home. Always ensure that the wax is at the right temperature to avoid burns, or use cool wax strips. Waxing lasts about four to six weeks.
Bare legs need to be protected from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, so make it a habit to moisturise with a cream containing sun protection factor – the higher the factor the more protection.
For perfect pins exercise is the answer and walking – especially barefooted – is a great way to keep your legs and ankles in shape. But there’s no excuse for idleness while you’re sitting at a desk – simply cross your legs and rotate the upper ankle 20 times one way then the reverse. Then change legs. Whenever you’re waiting in a queue gently rise onto your toes and down again to tone those muscles.
If all this makes your legs feel tired, give them a boost with a refreshing gel (widely available) that’s easily absorbed and can be applied through tights or stockings to give an immediate sensation of lightness and wellbeing.
Sun protection
Always apply a sunscreen before going out into the sun – don’t wait ‘til you get to the beach as you’ll already have exposed your skin to harmful rays.
Apply to the naked body so you don’t miss bits like under a strap which might move and leave skin exposed.
Wear loose cotton clothing for maximum protection preferably with long sleeves covering the arms and long skirts or trousers to protect legs.
Keep out of the sun’s rays during the hours of eleven and three when they’re at their strongest.
Be careful when swimming – water reflects the sun’s rays and you can burn easily without realising it. Wear a t-shirt to protect your back and shoulders and apply a waterproof sunscreen, reapplying after you’ve dried yourself with a towel.
To avoid dehydration, sip plenty of water throughout the day and avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks that dehydrate the body.
