The
crusade for firm, smooth and uniform skin doesn't stop at the neck.
While my legs aren't bad, my arms are more of a testimony of decades of
SPF renouncement. My legs, most notably my knees are starting to witness
a crease and wrinkle here and there. Then at hot yoga, the comparison
of my knees ( though not bad ) to the twenty something in tree pose to
my left made me ruminate, what if I were to treat my body more like I
treat my face ?
The puckering , creases , freckles, dark
spots and some actinic keratosis are the results of age and sun-damage.
And unfortunately "the skin on the body is more resistant to firming
than the skin on the face", says Manhattan derm Dennis Gross, MD. Gross
who utilizes a combo of laser therapy and in-office peels says, "
there's nothing great yet for laxity on the body, as far as devices go.
There's a real demand for it, but no company has really cracked the code
and brought anything to market." So what if one vowed to not neglect
our 4 precious stems, but keep them out of the sun and treat them with
attentive TLC as one treats their face ? Dr. Gross does recommend
searching for body products with the same active and anti-aging
ingredients in skin care, since " you're seeing the exact same changes
on the body-loss of collagen and natural hyaluronic acid as you do on
the face...". Dermatologists recommend mixing retinol with body
moisturizer and applying that before bed. Or try regular use of a high
percentage of alpha hydroxy acid on the entire body.
Regular
exfoliation is key as well: manual and chemical, " especially in
summertime ", says Gross, " when the body reacts to ultraviolet light by
creating more dead skin as a barrier." The same at home peels kits may
be used on arms and legs. And for the ultimate ready for the beach bod
try a pre-shower dry brush buff. Which according to Los Angeles
dermatologist Annie Chiu, " will increase circulation and temporarily
plumps the skin for an even less dimply appearance." So newly committed
to care for my gams like I do my face I tried Replenix Retinol Pads on
my arms followed by
Repenix's All-Trans-Retinol Smoothing Body Lotion on my whole body before bed. In
the morning I gave myself a good dry brush, smoothed Nectifirm on my
thighs ( and my stomach for posterity sake ) followed by a slathering of
sunscreen-everywhere. I swear as I headed down to pick up my son from
Junior Guards camp at the beach my thighs looked smoother in my almost
too short shorts and my arms brighter.
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