Top 10 Secrets From The Skin Experts
The difference between pretty and knockout sexy? The feel-good factor. Skin experts spill their top 10 body-smoothing secrets—for every inch of you.
Answers From The Beauty Experts
Photo Credit: Greg Delves
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1. SEXY BACK
Just because you can't see them-your back, your backside, the backs of your arms-doesn't mean others can't. They deserve TLC, too. Sudsing up with an antibacterial cleanser prevents breakouts on your back and bottom, while using an alpha- or beta-hydroxy lotion on the undersides of arms can nix keratosis pilaris (aka, the little bumps below your biceps). Tempting as it may be, don't overscrub, cautions dermatologist David Bank, M.D., author of Beautiful Skin, as it will only aggravate the situation.
2. SAVE YOUR NECK
So close, and yet so far! The sad truth is, treating your neck like your face doesn't work. "Your neck ages in its own way and so has special needs," explains Adrienne Denese, M.D., Ph.D., of the eponymous skincare line. "Neck tendons shrink through the years and become more visible, and unfortunately, the thin, easy-to-scar skin in this area doesn't respond to lasers and peels as well as your face does." Some remedies your grandmother told you about: "If your posture is excellent, your neck will age well," says Denese. Stretching your neck also helps. Denese suggests this stretch: Tilt your head back and stretch your lower lip over the upper one; hold for a few seconds. Repeat 10 times. There are several effective neck-specific products containing retinol, peptides, and glycolic acid, but if you're thinking serious measures, talk to your dermatologist about Botox (the injections-about $2000 per session-are good for about five months) or a neck-lift (from $3000 to $5000).
3.TREASURED CHEST
"For a really nice décolleté, I believe in moisturizing constantly and dusting on a bit of shimmer," says Rebecca Apsan, owner of Manhattan lingerie shop La Petite Coquette-where beautiful busts are her business. And while each season brings an abundance of boudoir-worthy bras, there are now just as many bust gels and creams, with ingredients specifically formulated to give a temporary lift and impart a smoother texture.
