A cheat sheet to get the perfect pairs of legs that you want ..without surgery

Although there are still few cosmetic treatments available to sculpt legs, these are some options for thighs, knees, and calves:

Perfect legs..Worth the Shot?

A gold standard of fat removal continues to be laser-assisted liposuction, but there’s a new—albeit controversial—injectable that’s reported to dissolve fatty bulges in the legs, stomach, hips, and back. Aqualyx contains desoxycholan acid, a bile acid similar to what the liver naturally produces to aid the digestion of fat. The substance locks onto fat-cell walls and forces the cell to release stored fatty acid, which is then metabolized by the body.

If you’re generally fit but have spots of stubborn fat, such as outer-thigh bulges, Aqualyx can be injected into these areas, often combined with a local anesthetic such as lidocaine for a more comfortable experience. The treatment is relatively painless—patients feel a warm sensation, some itching, and slight burning. Expect some swelling and redness for one to three days.

“Most people need three to five sessions, at four-week intervals, to see a change,” says Nia Banks, a plastic surgeon in Lanham. “But it depends on the size of the fat deposit, and every individual will have their own response to the solution.”

Not everyone is a fan. “Because it is injected subcutaneously, Aqualyx isn’t well controlled as to how far it diffuses, and I see the potential for areas of skin depressions,” says plastic surgeon Rondi Walker.

The procedure is said to be popular in England (where it costs the equivalent of $400 to $600), but it’s just hitting the United States and is not FDA-approved.

Quick and Easy
Age, sun exposure, and years of wear and tear can cause the skin on your legs to sag.

“Ironically, the more toned and fit you are, the more the skin on the upper thighs hangs, because there’s less fat to fill it out and support it,” says Chevy Chase dermatologist Tina West.

Ultherapy, the ultrasound procedure, was recently shown to provide significant tightening of the skin on thighs, with improvements that continue for up to six months. A recent study also showed dramatic tightening in the knee area. Cost: $2,000 to $3,500.

Fake It
The easiest way to make legs look younger? Use both a moisturizer and a bronzer—darker, hydrated legs appear firmer.

One product to try is Murad Body Firming Cream ($70), with vitamin C, soy, and shea butter. We can’t say we saw a 40-percent increase in firmness within 15 minutes of applying it (as the brand claims its studies show), but there was definitely an improvement. Maximize the effect by applying an imperfection-covering bronzer such as Lorac TANtalizer Body Bronzing Spray ($32), which offers streak-free color.

The Effective Way
Try Kodenshi Contouring Pants for a month and you will get the results you desire. The Kodenshi fiber produces the best compression that improves the blood circulation plus tightening and supports pelvic with build in pelvic belt.

Download our FREE report on why sitting down too much is bad for you!