Sexy Summer Arms

First, sit down and compile a list of your personal needs as well as other issues which may deserve attention.

Here’s the list of items that must be addressed in order to attain those slender flawless arms:



Keratosis Pilaris

One out of every two people on the planet has it. If you´re one of them, you know what I´m talking about. Unsightly polka dots and rough "chicken skin" texture are going to leave your arms looking like the AC is constantly giving you a chill. The culprit is, sad to say, genetics. Skin cells of the upper outer arms (and thighs) are programmed to over-produce and build up around individual hair follicles. Combine that with inflammation taking place at the base of the hair follicles and you’ve got good reason to keep your KP well hidden by a sweater come the July heat. The bad news is they’re not curable. The good news is that they are entirely controllable. Your arms can look gorgeously smooth and clear simply by prepping your skin once weekly with Vibradermabrasion and VibraFusion and keeping skin flawless with prescription cream and a good body scrub. You’ll be wearing a sleeveless top in no time.

Underarm Skin Discoloration

Underarm discoloration can be caused by irritating ingredients found in deodorants and antiperspirants, a predilection to eczema or diabetes (acanthosis nigricans), as well as from skin friction triggered by movement and activity. No matter the cause, ultimately inflammation leads to the development of skin discoloration. Prescription Differin gel targets embarrassing underarm discoloration. This product was specifically formulated to be a non-irritating product that over time will help balance skin tone. We all can benefit from the use of a daily antiperspirant. We may as well take advantage of being able to brighten up unsightly discoloration at the same time. Remember that any bleaching or brightening regimen may take 6-12 months (or rarely, longer) depending upon the degree of discoloration.

Pale White Skin

The overwhelming public desire for a tan, toned sexy summer body is difficult to overcome. So instead of lecturing on the evils of tanning, let’s turn to the delights of the fake tan. Try home self-tanners like our St. Tropez Self-Tanning Lotion. Or go splurge on a Mystic Tan. Or when going out, try Tinted Moisture with SPF 45 by Revision on your arms as well as your legs. Whatever your favorite option; just go for the faux.

Thick Dark Elbows

This is a difficult problem and does not come with an overnight quick fix. The skin of the elbows is naturally redundant; after all we need to be able to straighten and bend our arms, and there needs to be adequate skin available to move with us. However, this skin is also more vulnerable to years of chronic minor trauma (like that caused simply by resting the elbows on a table). Chronic friction, rubbing or scratching causes the skin to thicken. In a protective mechanism not unlike forming a callous, the epidermis becomes thick and leathery, frequently becoming darker than the natural skin tone of the surrounding area.

Step one is to soften the skin of this area and discontinue any contributing activity. Step two is a long-term regimen of bleaching the undesirable dark patches. To do this, first try using an active moisturizer on the elbows once or twice a day. If they have become so thick that the elbow pads are cracking, treat them with OTC 1% Hydrocortisone daily, too. Once you’re comfortable with this routine, bleaching comes next. Try a potent bleach which contains hydroquinone, or prescription bleach like Glyquin or Tri-Luma. The use of Tri-Luma for this is “off label” meaning it’s not FDA approved. However, the steroid in the product can also hasten the thinning of the skin in this area, so it may be worthwhile to consider an 8-week course before switching to another bleaching option. By all means don’t forget about wearing your SPF 30 daily. Otherwise, as you go sleeveless, the sun will darken the already dark spots more than your baseline skin tone. Be persistent. The skin didn't’t get this way overnight nor will it clear by next weekend. It’s realistic to expect the changes to take at least a year. Keeping up with maintenance as necessary will help prevent an unwanted recurrence.

Since bleaching very dark skin can take many months, concealing the discoloration with a cosmetic concealer that matches one’s skin tone is an acceptable option, particularly when going out for a special occasion. "Disappear" by Jane Iredale is my favorite brand of concealer for anyone trying to downplay a skin concern. It can even cover a tattoo.

Hairy Arms

Let’s face it – thick hair growth on the forearms is simply not flattering on a woman. And should the hair also be dark and the skin quite light, it can be even more visible. Yes, it could be bleached with any number of hair bleaches. But is a thick blonde mane on the arms any more flattering or less conspicuous? The presence of hair on the arms is normal for women. However, if it’s quite noticeable, this may be a situation where hair removal provides the optimal solution. Whether it’s through EPILAR Waxing System or laser hair removal, addressing this concern can make a big difference in how you perceive your arms.

Another option, and one to consider combining with a temporary hair removal option (like waxing) would be the use of a product that reduces hair growth. EPILAR Waxing System is a permanent hair reducer. Hair becomes softer, finer, less noticeable and finally disappears. It’s important to note that it takes approximately 10-12 monthly treatments to see this result.

Excessive Sweating

Everyone sweats. After all, sweating is Nature’s way of controlling core body temperature and preventing overheating. But 3% of the U.S. population (that’s approximately 8 million individuals) suffer from excessive sweating, a condition known as hyperhidrosis. Incessantly moist skin interferes with business and social interactions, wreaks havoc with one’s quality of life and may even cause depression.

Four million sweat glands are scattered across the body. The majority of these (75%) are “eccrine” sweat glands, which are found clustered on the soles of the feet, palms, forehead, cheeks, and needless to say, the armpits. For the patient with hyperhidrosis, the problem is not the size or number of eccrine sweat glands but their hyperactivity, at times in the absence of any of the expected triggers such as emotion, exertion, hormone surges and chemical messages originating from the brain.

Many therapeutic options now exist and range from antiperspirants (OTC treatments and prescription Drysol) to oral prescription Pro-Banthine, iontophoresis treatments and extremely effective Botox injections (lasts up to 12 months).

Surgical intervention is a method of last resort.

Flabby Arms

Some of us, despite never having taken ballet have what can only be described as “ballerina arms”. You know the type. Long, slender, muscles well defined. I suppose you could say that genetics looked kindly upon these people. You will never be able to lengthen your arms to achieve the slender proportions, but bat wings, however, are another story.

Pilates helps stretch your muscles (and flatten the abs). If you don’t have access to a gym or pilates studio, try to purchase a set of resistance bands. They are very inexpensive and provide a good amount of resistance that truly works the muscles.
Pick up a couple of 3-pound weights to do a series of iron pumping arm exercises. If you don’t have the weights, take two filled tin cans out of the pantry (make sure they’re small enough to wrap your hand about halfway around the can) and use them instead.
Don't forget that everyone has access to a chair from which to do triceps dips. You can think of the triceps dip as a backwards push-up. And it’s not appropriate for anyone with wrist or elbow problems.

Finally you can tone and firm your arms in a non-invasive way with Radiofrequency based thermal heating therapy which also stimulates collagen for long lasting results. Try our new exciting technology, Lipotron Lipoplasty to enter this fabulously sleeveless summer.

 

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