Caring for Your Legs This Summer

With all the summer sun your legs will be getting, why not give them a little attention to keep them looking great. While keeping your legs looking fresh and smooth takes a bit of work, the results will be well worth it.

Tanning

For those that like a nice tan on their legs it can be a shock to take off the jeans of winter only to find pale, ashen legs underneath. In order to keep your lack of a tan low-key you might want to use a bronzer until you great a genuine glow on your own. Check out the 'fake' tans out there that are specially formulated for your limbs or legs. Some products offer a spray on variety and some are a foam that glides on. Either way you need to make sure that your skin is smooth before applying any type of self-tanning product to avoid patchy and dark areas of uneven tan.

Smoothing

There are some products that can aid the smoothing process straight from the shower. A body scrub with micro beads will scrub off dried skin and pumice bars or mitts will do the rest. At first it might seem a little 'rough' going when using these products, but most people adjust to them quickly; if you have sensitive skin this might not be the first place to start, however.

After you have exfoliated, you will need to moisturize. Apply a moisturizer after you get out of the shower and/or before you go to bed. Because of the dry weather and chlorine in pools, your legs will take a beating. Supplement these ills by giving your legs a royal treatment. Using a heavy moisturizer that contains natural oils (i.e. cocoa butter, olive oil, coconut oil, brazil nut oil) will not only smooth your summer legs by it will give you a shine; applying a shine to your shins will give your legs the visual appearance of being slimmer.

Hair Removal

The common ways of removing hair are by shaving, waxing, or depilatories. Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages. Shaving is the quickest but risks razor cuts if you don't have an electric one. Be sure to lather up good with gel while in the shower before shaving and use short strokes to prevent cutting yourself. The problem with shaving, however, is that it will grow back into unsightly stubble in 1-3 days.

Waxing is a nice alternative to shaving if you have coarse or dark hair. Home waxing kits are $20-30 dollars depending on the brand. Waxing can leave your legs smooth for weeks, giving you more time to spend in the summer sun rather than in the bathroom removing hair. However, you need to make sure that you scrub your legs with a pumice mitt when you shower and moisturize daily to prevent ingrown hairs (hairs that don't surface when growing back, sometimes causing infection).

Depilatories vary in effectiveness for each individual. You cover your legs with a thick lotion and the chemicals dissolve the hair, wiping clean after rinsing. This can last for days or week depending on the individual, leaving your skin smooth and hair free. However, depilatories are somewhat of a hassle to use; they also smell horrible and sometimes miss spots.

Protecting your legs

Keep your legs protected by using the appropriate level of sunscreen or sunblock. If you live in a very sunny climate, care for your legs by putting on sunscreen before you go outside. A little prevention is worth a world of cures, after all.