Sandpaper skin
Triggered by: Vitamin A deficiency.
What is it? "The body finds it difficult to utilise Vitamin A effectively," says Kelly Quinn from Dermalogica. "As a result, small white and red bumps can form on the arms, thighs and bottom." Affected areas feel like sandpaper due to dead skin cells clogging pores and hair follicles.
Try: Exfoliating lotions, such as Gatineau Body Lotion with AHA (£23.75), unblock pores.
Cellulite
Triggered by: Stress, hormonal shifts, nutrition, smoking, crash diets, rapid weight gain, sedentary lifestyle.
What is it? Between 80 and 90 per cent of women suffer from the 'orange peel effect'. TRY: Lipoduction, £100, Fenwick stores. Non-surgical alternative to liposuction stimulates the body to convert pockets of fat into energy.
Saddlebags
Triggered by: Hormones, yo-yo dieting, genetics.
What is it? Dr Yannis Alexandrides, consultant plastic surgeon at the Kosmeticos Clinic, London, says British women suffer from heavy thighs, making us look pear-shaped.
Try: Lipotherapy injections with Dr Elisabeth Dancey in London from £140.
Stretch marks
Triggered by: Illfitting bras, exercising without a sports bra, pregnancy and rapid weight gain or loss.
What is it? "Constant and repeated stretching causes skin to lose its elasticity," says Wendy Lewis, a skincare expert. "The connective fibres break, creating raised purple marks." The marks eventually become a few shades darker or lighter than your natural skintone.
Try: Stretch Mark Cream, £35, Heaven. Its Vitamin A and mandarin content turn the purple marks flesh-coloured.
Water retention
Triggered by: Hormones, too much salt.
What is it? Known as edema, it causes swelling, leaving you feeling puffy and uncomfortable. Many women suffer from swollen stomachs, breasts and ankles around their period.
Try: Ironically, symptoms are alleviated by drinking lots of water. Clarins Anti-Eau Body Treatment Oil, £28, works on spongylooking skin to reduce bloating and stimulate water expulsion.
Stockists: 0800 036 3558.
Wrinkly bust
Triggered by: Sun damage.
What is it? Excessively lined skin, often marked with brown "liver" or age spots. "The skin on the chest is delicate," says Dr Nick Lowe, consultant dermatologist at the Cranley Clinic in London. "Most damage is done through neglect. If you are wearing a V-neck or low-cut neckline every day, you must protect the exposed skin."
Try: New-Fill, a cosmetic filler that is injected into the skin, stimulating the production of collagen to plump out the lines. Contact Dr Nick Lowe at the Cranley Clinic: 020 7499 3223.
Wrinkled hands
Triggered by: Dehydration, sun exposure.
What is it? "Our hands are often neglected and so age quickly," says Arezoo Kaviani.
Try: Le Remedi, from £13.95 by Jessica. Its aloe vera heals, glycolic acid and AHAs tackle age spots and rough skin, vitamin E rejuvenates, and red seaweed restores elasticity.
Stockists: 020 8381 7793
Ridged nails
Triggered by: Illness, medication, cleaning products, genetics.
What is it? "Ridges deepen with age, so keep nails short," says nail technician Leighton Denny.
Try: Miracle Nail Buffer, £4 from Marks & Spencer, and Barielle's Natural Nail Camouflage, £15, with vitamin E and calcium fluoride.
Dry elbows
Triggered by: Dehydration.
What is it? "Winter weather, forgetting to moisturise and not drinking enough water all play a part in dry skin on elbows, knees and feet," says Arezoo Kaviani. "Extremities are always going to suffer first from dehydration."
Try: Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day will help, but for on-the-spot softening, Japanese Body Wash Cloths, £17 from Space NK, are made from textured nylon and work wonders when rubbed over rough skin.
Saggy arms
Triggered by: Gravity and genetics.
What is it? "Outer arms are the bane of many women's lives," says beauty guru Arezoo Kaviani. "Exercise helps, but after a certain age, improvement becomes very difficult."
Try: Exercise with Gaiam's Pilates Body Circles Kit, £24.99. Stockists: 01926 816177.
Unwanted hair
Triggered by: Genetics, hormonal problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), some medication.
What is it? Hirsutism is the medical term for excess hairiness. Often hereditary, it can be caused by abnormally high levels of androgen hormones, responsible for hair loss on the head or hair growth on the face and chest. Pregnancy or PCOS can upset the natural balance of hormones, resulting in male traits such as body hair.
Try: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) offers a long-term solution. Aculight treatments use IPL to pass heat in the form of light deep into the hair follicle, killing the cells responsible for hair growth. Treatment starts from £24 a session, but often a course is necessary. To find your nearest Aculight salon, tel: 0870 900 5959.
Dark circles
Triggered by: Genetics, alcohol, bad circulation and lack of sleep.
What is it? Dark shadows can be a sign of toxin build-up in your kidneys. Upping your daily water intake and swopping green tea for your caffeine fix will help detox your kidneys but if dark shadows are hereditary, there's little you can do.
Try: Light-reflecting eye cream or cosmetic to brighten the area. Dermalogica's Total Eye Care SPF15, £29, contains optical light diffusers.
Adult acne
Triggered by: Stress, pregnancy, menopause, some medication.
What is it? "Acne will occur whenever there is a flux in hormone levels," says Kelly Quinn from Dermalogica. "When we are under stress, we release adrenaline and testosterone, which directly affect the sebaceous glands, producing thick, tar-like oil that causes congestion." Most adult acne appears on the lower half of the face; if stress-related, it affects the jaw and neck.
Try: Light therapy is very successful at reducing inflammation and improving and preventing acne scars. The N-Lite system is particularly effective, using yellow light to destroy the bacteria found in acne. Expect to see results within two weeks of treatment. Each session costs around £300. |
