5 Genius Hacks For Great Legs
Regular workouts count for a lot, but the right products and an extra five minutes of body care each day can go a long way to helping your limbs look their best. Here, NEWBY HANDS explains how to put in the legwork
Prep and prime
The best limb-related advice I’ve heard is from leg expert and Legology founder Kate Shapland. “If you want to see a real difference, think about prepping your legs in the way that you regularly prime your face,” she says. Her routine (try it twice weekly) starts with a good skin scrub. “Crunchy salt and oil scrubs are great, especially those with diuretic Himalayan salt, as they help shift trapped fluid.” Adding salts to your bath (Epsom in particular) will also aid the de-puffing process. “Next, give heavy legs the Scandi spa treatment by using the shower head to alternate warm (not hot) and cold water over feet, ankles, legs and buttocks.” Try 20 seconds on each section, repeating three times.
Lean into your lymph nodes
Currently the most in-demand Brazilian body therapist in London, Flavia Morellato takes a focused approach to contouring limbs and shifting puffiness. “Every time you use anything on your legs – whether it’s a soap, scrub, body lotion, gua sha or massage – work with purpose. After gently stimulating the lymph nodes in the groin and at the backs of the knees (by gently pressing about 10 times), massage upwards from the knee to the hip, then work from the ankle to the knees.” Morellato also advocates drinking more water: “The more water you drink, the less water your body retains,” she says. “Aim for 35ml for every kilogram you weigh [approximately 1floz for every 2lb], and if you know you have a party or a sushi dinner, plan ahead and drink more water. It will prevent puffiness the morning after.”
Layer on a glam evening glow
As the woman famous for prepping A-list bodies for shoots, film sets and red carpets, Nichola Joss suggests layering up your products to achieve glowing skin: “A self-tan makes a great base, but it can look ‘flat’, so you need to finish by adding shine and dewiness to the skin – especially down the front of the shin and over the arch of the foot. It’s also good to use a hyaluronic acid-based serum on shins, where the skin gets dry and crepey, as it instantly gives a real plumpness and glow.” 111Skin’s Rose Gold Radiance Body Oil is an excellent skin finisher, as it hydrates and strengthens skin while leaving a pore-blurring, glossy (not greasy) sheen behind.
Streamline with an at-home treatment
To make end-of-the-day, heavy legs look and feel lighter and more streamlined, body therapist Kirstie Garrett suggests alternating warm and cold water on the lower legs (great for kick-starting circulation and the lymphatic system) and then applying your treatment lotion or gel – ideally, chilled in the refrigerator beforehand. “Circle your hands quite firmly around the ankle and either slide them up slowly to above the knees or press and release as you work upwards. Do this five times on each leg and you’ll see a difference.” Finally, lie on the floor with your legs elevated at a right angle up against the wall for 10 minutes. “This takes the pressure off the valves and gives real lightness in the legs.”
Try the A-list arsenal
With short hemlines an off-duty warm-weather staple for celebrities, dedicated leg treatments are as essential as regular facials. Medical-grade treatments that are used on your face can also help you achieve the best skin tone and texture on your body – lasers and injectable hydrating treatments (such as Profhilo) build collagen and plump skin from the waist down (and above). Radiofrequency treatments, such as Exion Body, which also uses ultrasound, and Sylfirm X a radiofrequency microneedling device, work especially well to target, tighten and tone crepey skin on your decolleté, tummy and above the knees – one area that’s often overlooked.
According to Professor Mark Whiteley, London’s leading vein specialist, visible veins (or varicose veins) can be easily treated thanks to a non-invasive ultrasound therapy called Sonovein HD. “It’s important to have a proper scan first to get the right treatment plan, which is key for preventing varicose veins from recurring.” Professor Whiteley also advocates a balanced diet (it can affect skin’s elasticity) and regular exercise: “Low-impact exercises such as yoga are particularly good at improving circulation. The bending and stretching movements involved help to compress and decompress the blood vessels, which can, in turn, help to boost circulation.”
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