Did you know that I contain about a quarter of all the bones in your body? 54 of 206 to be exact[1]. Did you know that I suffer from the majority of your body’s injuries and damages? Whilst running I experience a load that is 3-4 times heavier than the average weight of a person.[2] Did you know that when walking, your body resistance is increased several times over compared with the stability when you stand?[3] This is why I find standing more tiring than walking. I carry you through life, I help you move fast or slow, I help you climb, I help you dance and take joy from life, I help you stand tall…I am your Legs – and now is the time to give me a little love.
I carry you through life, I help you move fast or slow
It’s that time of year when the weather is starting to get warmer and you feel sun deprived, neglected and in need for some thoughtful love and attention. Why not treat your legs? Prioritising this Spring with these simple, yet effective day-to-day tips and tricks that will get your pins looking and feeling ready to take on the Summer stronger than ever.
The power of exfoliation and moisturising: This can go a long way, as frequent exfoliation removes the barrier of dead skin cells clogging the skin and uncovers fresh new cells that result in a smoother and radiant complexion. This then allows for optimum moisturisation to penetrate more deeply into the skin, effectively leaving me looking endlessly fresh, healthy and supple. You can even create your own homemade natural scrubs using simple yet effective ingredients that you can scrub in circular motions on your legs.
Why not try these natural homemade scrubs?
Honey can be mixed with any of the other exfoliants such as brown sugar to boost the antioxidant and anti-bacterial benefits.
Oatmeal is a very gentle exfoliant and works perfectly with finely ground oatmeal with honey and/or yogurt – ideal for sensitive dehydrated skin.
Sea salt rejuvenates the skin, stimulates cell growth, and helps your skin lock in moisture. Mix with essential oils like olive, coconut, or almond oil to create a paste.
Cellulite might seem like a never-ending battle: Especially during the warmer months, however there are many natural solutions and home remedies to minimize the appearance of cellulite and improve the condition of your skin.
Common remedies include:
Drinking plenty of water: Hydration is crucial, removing toxins from the body, helping you lose weight and control fat stores. The daily requirement needed for your body is eight glasses a day- if you find it really hard to stay hydrated just add some lemons, berries or cucumbers to your water for a refreshing boost.
Green Tea: A major health benefit that will speed your metabolism while encouraging blood circulation.
Dry Brushing: This will help stimulate blood and lymph flow in the body, promoting tighter skin and cell renewal.
Thread veins can be discouraging: So firstly, what causes thread veins? Sunburn and alcohol are common triggers, however other factors are hormones, inheritance, weight and the over exertion and pressure on the legs.
There are many ways you can reduce the appearance of thread veins and these include: wearing compression socks to help maintain blood flow and reduce discomfort and swelling, avoiding the sunshine or wearing high factor sun cream if you do enjoy relaxing in the sun over the summer months. Also making sure not to wash your face with very hot or very cold water as extremes in temperature can trigger thread veins developing.
Additional, supplements such as vitamins C, E and K are essential for maintaining good skin health, including increasing collagen and promoting skin renewal - this will really help for long term benefits. Last but not least, compressing the legs boosts blood flow back up to the heart, reducing blood pressure in the legs which cuts your risk of thread veins – so get your compression socks!
Pressotherapy and DoubleCorp: There are many effective and non-invasive treatments available to help you receive the long-lasting results you want when it comes to your own personal leg goals. Centros Unico, one of Europe’s leading specialists in aesthetic medical treatments, offers Pressotherapy and DoubleCorp.
Pressotherapy is a treatment that reactivates the circulatory system and increases oxygen in the body. It relieves aches caused by fluid retention and offers relief from the pain of tired limbs. Results show a clear improvement in the tonality of the skin – ideal for those long and adventurous summer days. Alternatively, DoubleCorp is an effective treatment that reactivates and regenerates collagen, reduces appearance of stretch marks and scars, reduces localised fat, improves circulation and helps eliminate liquids.
Plenty of exercise: Exercise, exercise, exercise! This doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym every morning and evening, but simply just encourage yourself to be more active throughout the day. Avoid just standing on the escalators on the way to work, why not walk up them and get your legs working and your butt burning – feel the burn! Incorporate some squats into your mornings or evenings, and simple home exercises that you can do in your bedroom or your living room – 20 minutes a day is more than enough, but the longer you exercise the more beneficial it is!
Here is a simple work out for you to try out to get your legs toned just in time for summer:
Squats: sitting your hips back as if sitting into a chair and keep your weight in your heels - complete 20 squats quickly, focusing on those glutes and hamstrings.
Walking Lunges: complete 10-15 reps, then turn around and lunge back to your starting point.
Wall Sit: stand next to it with your back flat against it- hold for 30-60 seconds.
Single Leg Bridge: Lie on your back on a mat and bend your knees so your feet are flat on the ground. Extend your left leg up to the ceiling and then your right- be sure to keep the hips parallel to the floor and squeeze the glutes.
Laser Hair Removal: If you’re truly sick of constantly shaving, waxing, and trying to maintain silky smooth legs, then this is the treatment for you. Laser hair removal is the only method of hair removal recommended by dermatologists that has proven to improve the quality of your skin texture, whilst killing the hair follicle from the root. The safe and effective treatment is available at Centros Unico in clinics across the country and will give you definitive results from the first session – I’ll thank you later!
For more information on Centros Unico and how to find your nearest branch, please visit www.centrosunico.co.uk or call us on 0800 368 8860.