Crepey skin is a problem that many of us encounter over time. While the eyes and arms are two of the areas we most commonly associate with crepey skin, it can happen anywhere, including the legs.
Dealing with crepey skin on your legs can be especially distressing if you are someone who likes to soak up the sun in shorts or swimwear. It can frankly be a major drain on anyone’s health and lifestyle.
That’s why we’re happy to share this informative guide on how to get rid of crepey skin on your legs. By understanding the causes of crepey skin and what the most effective treatment options are, you can make a more informed treatment decision for your lifestyle.
This guide will help you learn about the full range of therapies, including the cosmetic procedures performed by the expert team at Innovations Medical, that can help you overcome crepey skin on your legs.
What is crepey skin?
If you’ve ever been to a birthday party with streamers, you’ve likely seen crepe paper. This is the very thin tissue paper that usually comes in a colored roll and is used for streamers and other decorations. Crepe paper is very fragile and wrinkly.
The term crepey skin comes from the similarity that certain areas of thin and wrinkly skin have to crepe paper.
What causes crepey skin on the legs and other areas?
The natural aging process and sunlight largely work together to cause crepey skin. Over time, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, two molecules that are critical for making our skin tight, thick, and elastic. Additionally, the oils that help lock in moisture also decline with time. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays further dries up the skin and breaks down collagen and elastin, causing a process that leads to crepey skin.
People can develop crepey skin in different areas for a variety of reasons, including skin type, level of sun exposure, and unknown causes. People who expose their legs to the sun more may have a higher chance of developing crepey skin on their legs, but researchers still do not fully understand the causes.
6 Ways to Get Rid of Crepey Skin on Legs
Like so many age-related conditions, there is no way to completely prevent or treat crepey skin on your legs or anywhere else. However, by taking a proactive approach that includes practicing a healthy lifestyle and exploring the full range of cosmetic options, many people are amazed by the positive results that can be achieved.
Here are some commonly recommended ways to treat crepey skin on the legs:
1. Stay Hydrated
This one is simple and inexpensive, but too many people don’t drink enough water. Dry skin is a major contributor to crepey legs, and any treatment plan should start with making sure your body has all the water it needs to stay as tight and elastic as possible.
2. Eat a Skin-Healthy Diet
While collagen and elastin levels do drop naturally with age, eating foods that help your body make as much as it can is an important counterbalance. Protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and other antioxidants all help. This is why doctors recommend a lean diet full of chicken, salmon, leafy green vegetables, berries, nuts, and avocados. Collagen supplementation can also help promote collagen production.
3. Have a Healthy Skin-Care Routine
Before even trying skin tightening products or procedures, make sure your basic skincare routine is optimized to treat crepey skin. Use body cleansers and scrubs that keep your skin’s natural protein and oils intact while removing dry and dead skin cells. This should be followed by using a good quality moisturizer with ammonium lactate, particularly on the problem area.
4. Over-the-Counter Skin Tightening Products
There are a large number of creams that purport to firm up and smooth out aging skin, including crepey skin. The ingredients these products contain should include retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, and peptides. These ingredients have been demonstrated to help promote new skin growth while flushing away dead and damaged cells.
5. Fractional Laser Treatment
When it is time to consider a cosmetic procedure, fractional laser treatment is one of the most effective methods for crepey skin reduction. Lasers help to heat up small areas under the skin, stimulating collagen production and new skin growth. Dr. Bill Johnson and Innovations Medical offer this treatment in the form of Fraxel Restore and Dual Treatment. While primarily designed for cellulite reduction, Thermage Laser Treatment is another effective method that can be used to treat crepey skin on the legs.
6. Radiofrequency Progressive Skin Tightening
Radiofrequency waves can also work to heat up and tighten the skin for a broad range of issues, including crepey skin on the legs. The Legend Progressive Skin Tightening treatment performed by Dr. Johnson is an innovative approach that uses real-time temperature monitoring to increase safety.
By keeping a positive attitude and working with a dedicated provider, anyone can create a holistic and effective treatment plan to get rid of crepey skin on the legs.
Contact Innovations Medical for Crepey Skin Treatment
If you’re looking to get rid of crepey skin on your legs, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if our skin tightening procedures are right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule a consultation.