Jun 24, 2009 11:45 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Perfect Summer Legs
A Healthy Diet, Exercise And Treatment Can Diminish The Appearance Of Cellulite And Nasty Spider Veins
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Many women, like New Yorker Angellika Morton, find themselves unable to embrace the revealing clothing that summer weather brings about.
"When wearing shorts, I'm very concientious to how (my legs) look," Morton said.
Problems such as cellulite, spider veins and unsightly blotching can cause Morton and others to feel self-concious about their legs.
But Manhattan esthetician Mica Hughes believes women can now take a few simple steps to ease their worries. Hughes combines a series of treatments meant to help women get the perfect summer legs they desire.
"Women want their legs to look good, especially in the summertime," Hughes said.
The process begins with a light exfoliation, followed by waxing and the application of self-tanning lotion. A massage using vitamin-K cream then targets spider veins.
"Vitamin K is going to strengthen the vein walls and prevent leakage," Hughes told one patient.
To treat cellulite, which is the top concern for most women, Hughes uses an endermatic muscle strengthener.
"(It's) going to loosen up these connective fibers that trap fat pockets," Hughes said. "(That) creates the orange peel effect in the skin."
Research shows that up to 90 percent of women are likely to develop cellulite at some point in their lives, with both overweight and underweight women facing equal risk of the condition.
But a combination of a healthy diet, excercise and special therapies can help to minimize its appearance. Eating skin-friendly foods like nuts, citrus fruits and spinach, which are high in antioxidants, as well as staying highdrated can also reduce the appearance of cellulite. Experts recommend drinking 2.2 liters of water/day for women and 3 liters/day for men.
Personal trainer Carlos Davila believes there are other, non-medical ways to sculpt a pair of summer legs.
"I have clients who are obsessed with their calves," Davila said. "I have clients who just want to slimp their legs up, want some definition."
According to Davila, excercises such as lateral squats, bridges and leg extensions, among others, can improve muscular definition in the legs within a few weeks.
"You want to do three sets of 20 to 25 repetitions," Davila said of the typical routine.
One of Davila's clients is Morton, who is satisfied with her progress thus far. She plans to keep up with her summer leg regimen all the way untill the fall.
"(My legs are) smoother, have less dimples and the tone is much better," Morton said.
For more on how to get those perfect summer legs, please click
here or call 917-346-7004.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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