They’re often forgotten about, your lowly knees, until you slip on the first skirt of the spring or a pair of shorts in the summer. Dry skin may make them look ashy, while age or weight loss may make them look saggy. And though they may seem difficult to fix, your knees can look pretty again. (Remember when Demi Moore shocked the world with her new knees?) Here are a few ways to get your knees ready for the warmer weather:
Exfoliate: The skin on your knees is thicker than other areas to offer extra protection to your joints (the same is true of your elbows), so dryness can accumulate there. Choose an exfoliator that’s appropriate for your skin type (go for a more gentle formula if you have sensitive skin). Massage it into your skin using a circular motion and rinse. Exfoliate to remove the dry, dead skin cells twice a week, but no more than that, or you may be sloughing healthy skin away.
Moisturize: Every day, use a deeply hydrating moisturizer on your knees to lock in moisture. You may even want to use a body oil first (Avene Body Oil ($20) makes a wonderful one for very dry, sensitive skin). For super dry skin, moisturize twice a day.
Banish fat: Liposuction can help sculpt better-looking knees by removing unnecessary fat. The incision can be strategically placed at the knee or at the groin if you also want your thighs treated. But keep in mind, surgeries that are further away from the heart take longer to heal.
Try some light: Non-invasive cellulite and skin-tightening treatments such as radio-frequency energy or infra-red light, paired with massaging devices may improve slightly sagging skin around the knees.
Smooth the skin: Speculation was that Demi Moore had a knee lift to remove the sagging skin around her knees. The treatment is tricky because to surgically remove the skin, a scar will eventually develop. Ask your plastic surgeon for before-and-after photos of other cases so you’re well aware of what results may be.
Image: Getty
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