There are countless products, articles and tutorials for tips to anti-age our faces, but what about the rest of your body? It seems that there is more to anti-ageing than simply reducing the wrinkles around your eyes, and forgetting these overlooked areas could be adding years to your appearance without you even realise it. These areas include your hands, chest, arms, neck and legs. Think of where the sun hits your body – these areas very rarely get covered, particularly not in the summer, and they age just as quickly as your face when left exposed. UVA rays cause wrinkles, pigmentation, brown spots and broken blood vessels, all of which age you significantly. The best prevention of sun-induced ageing is to use an SPF every day and to cover up when the sun is high. There are other ways to improve your appearance though, from getting plenty of exercise to eating foods which are great for your skin. To start with, your neck is an area which can age you beyond your years if you don’t look after it. Many people extend their moisturising routine to their neck to ensure that the fragile skin in this area stays hydrated. There are treatments that can help reverse any damage as well. Radio-frequency treatments can help to firm up the delicate area on the neck – lasers such as Intense Pulsed Light can also be very effective in improving the colour and texture of the skin here.
Your chest can be exposed to the damaging effects of the sun every day without you ever really realising. Because the skin here is thin, it can age very quickly. You can prevent any further damage by applying sunscreen every day, and using fillers to reduce the appearance of deep creases. Lasers that are recommended on the neck will also work here, or you may prefer to use radio-frequency tightening. Your hands are a quick giveaway to your age, so keep yours smooth and supple for as long as you can. When it comes to reversing the damage on your hands, fillers such as hyaluronic acids can work wonders on wrinkles and lines. Laser treatments can reduce the appearance of brown spots and there are plumping treatments available too – speak to your dermatologist about which is right for your needs.
Your arms are an area that most people don’t think to worry about when it comes to ageing. However, they can add years on if you’re not careful. They are a magnet for brown spots and skin damage because they are exposed to the sun all day. You may want to try retinoids to thicken the skin and build up collagen, and laser therapy can be effective in treating brown spots and damage to the skin here. If you want to tighten up the loose upper arm skin which can develop as you age, then radio-frequency treatments may be useful to you. A firming body lotion can be quite effective in the meantime though, and will also keep your skin hydrated and soft. Your legs are in a similar position to your arms, in that they can catch the sun more often than you think. Cellulite can also develop as you age, which can lead to an unsightly appearance. Try radio-frequency treatments to firm up the skin here and rid your legs of cellulite. If you have varicose veins, sclerotherapy or laser therapy can fade them. Use a moisturising lotion regularly in the meantime to keep the skin supple and smooth.