You might not think your anti-ageing wellness lies in the rear view mirror, but it does. Think back flab, bingo wings and cankles, and you’ll be rushing to the gym in a bid to look younger and more toned! However, don’t let your mental wellbeing get in a spin over a side of your body you rarely see; just follow our simple backside beautifiers and you can flaunt a hot rear view with crazy confidence.
1. Bacne: According to cosmetic dermatologist Paul Frank, MD, ‘Back acne often has the same triggers as facial acne – hormones spur an increase in oil production, and dirt and sweat clog pores – yet it’s typically tougher to treat because creams are rubbed away when you put on clothes or lie down. And this type of acne can be extreme because the skin on that part of the back is thicker and the hair follicles are larger, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.’ So how do you fix it? Beauty and wellness expert Nicole Catanese advises, ‘Grab a loofah that has a handle or attach the Clarisonic Body Brush Extension Handle ($25, clarisonic.com) to your go-to face tool, then lather up your back with an acne wash that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to unclog pores.’
2. Chicken Arms: ‘You do a gazillion tricep dips for sexy arms, yet you’ve got stubborn red bumps,’ notes Catanese. ‘Why do you have “chicken skin” on your arms but your friend doesn’t? Genetic roulette. But you’re not alone: About half of women have what are called keratosis pilaris, or KP.’ To beat the little red bumps, dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD, recommends daily buffing with gentle exfoliators that have fine granules and hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. She explains, ‘These products break down dead skin on the surface, clearing the hair follicles.’
3. Stretch-Mark Legs: Dr. Graf elaborates, ‘When skin grows faster than it was meant to – from rapid weight gain – its network of collagen fibres becomes uneven and creates visible indentations.’ To rid your legs of stretch marks, Catanese advises, ‘Use the same retinol (or Rx retinoid) or peptides that you use to firm your face, or try skin smoothers with silicone, such as dimethicone. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, slather on creams with moisturizing cocoa butter and hyaluronic acid, then follow up with a body oil.’
4. Spider Veins: M. Dean Vistnes, MD, the founder of SkinSpirit skin-care clinic and spa and a plastic surgeon in Palo Alto, California, points out, ‘The tiny spider veins on your calves and the backs of your thighs tend to get worse with age because the small blood vessels there don’t work as well as they once did and become dilated.’ Medically speaking, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you don’t like the sight of your spider veins, Catanese suggests, ‘Hide veins temporarily with body makeup like St. Tropez Self Tan Perfect Legs Spray ($18, sttropeztan.com). For more coverage, pat on concealer with a makeup sponge.’
5. Cellulite: Catanese laments, ‘No matter how good you are about eating salad for lunch and saying no to a second piece of cake, the cellulite on the back of your thighs and rear stays put. Cellulite is actually a skin condition, which explains why even women who are a size two can have it.’ Dr. Frank adds, ‘Foods that are acidic or cause inflammation, such as diet soda and processed snacks like chips, cause fat cells to swell, making cellulite look worse.’ So cut down on your intake of inflammatory foods. Catanese also recommends, ‘Regular leg workouts like squats and lunges help rev up circulation, which also keeps puffiness at bay.’
Comments are closed.