Aging Legs - what works?

[RhymesWithTangerine]

i’m 47 and in the last year my legs have really aged.

Visible veins, weird texture skin, slight sagging and they look really pale even when I’ve put Dove gradual tan on.

what can be done? There’s nothing wrong with the shape but the appearance is terrible and I really need to be able to wear shorts in the summer.

Does anyone have tips?

My legs look 90% worse now (at the age of 45) than they did when I was in my twenties. I have white-verging-on-blue skin, varicose veins, patches of flaky skin, and a large scar. Whereas I was too self-conscious to wear shorts in my twenties, I’m now peri-menopausal and don’t give a fuck if anyone thinks I look terrible. I’d rather be comfortable and wear the shorts.

Also, remember about middle-aged woman invisibility, and I think you’ll find it’s absolutely fine to wear the shorts.

Sorry to not be able to offer any aesthetic advice, but please wear whatever you want and don’t worry about how your legs look.

Wear the shorts.
My legs have always been a bit like this - thread veins, cellulite - and in my 20s and 30s I spent so much time and energy being upset about it and covering up. I regret being so mean to myself.
Now in my 50s I put on moisturiser, occasionally some gradual tan, and wear shorts.

This stuff is the business:

www.thisworks.com/products/perfect-legs-skin-miracle

Really helps my fifty something legs look presentable!

But also...just wear shorts if you want to.

I'm the same OP and I'm only 39, I've had bad veins, discolouration and spider veins on my lower legs for a few years that I'm quite self conscious about (thanks genetics). Along with pale skin which makes it look worse.

For your skin, you can get body lotion with AHA/ BHA which will help smooth out the skin itself, but make sure you are using sunscreen aswell. Try and keep them as moisturised as possible. Also a bit of colour really helps, I have tried that Perfect Legs tinted lotion mentioned upthread (after seeing it recommended on here), just be warned the smell is quite strong, I found it really off-putting.

I've also looked into Sclerotherapy (which is supposed to help with spider veins, but I don't think does much for varicose veins etc.), not sure how well it works. I did try a laser thing a few years ago, which helped for a few weeks, but they came back with a vengeance - my crappy circulation I guess.

I have decided to focus on being toned and athletic, to keep my legs in nice shape if nothing else, so I'm trying to keep active (lots of squats and lunges). I also notice when I start working out regularly, the skin on my thighs seems smoother - I think the increased circulation helps, so you could try dry body brushing.

I've just had sclerotherapy for my capillaries(I had lots) and am pleased with the results. I have never really worn shorts as I have always had pasty, veiny, cellulitey legs! This year I am going to get them out anyway!

@HornyHornersPinkyWinky DH had sclerotherapy for his varicose veins, it was absolutely incredible seeing the difference. Got rid of all the surface veins and knots of veins that he had behind his knees. He's now talking about having it done again (had it around 15 years ago). Took a while to see the results but he has had 2 previous surgical vein strips and the effect from this was vastly preferable in all ways.

My legs are showing their age as well, skin is dry and crinkly, a varicose vein has appeared and they are definitely looking mottled but who really cares? Who's actually going to be looking at them other then me and he and he sleeps with them in bed so Im sure hes not bothered and Im certainly not

Sure Im sad that Im ageing and miss the firmness of youth but its not going to stop me wearing skirts/dresses and shorts and being bare legged

Wear the shorts

Thanks so much for this - I had that vein stripping thing done a few years ago (I think it's called Endovenous laser) and it didn't really work for me, basically new ones just popped up in place of the old ones.

I will look into Sclerotherapy again and give it a try.

Mine aren’t amazing but doing heavy leg weights has really improved them without bulking them out. The above knee skin is less saggy. I body brush for circulation and then moisturise with tanning drops when I want to get them out. Also have a pedicure to distract a little! I’ve also become conscious that wearing certain shoes doesn’t do me any favours.

I’m 43 and do heavy weight training, my legs look nicer than when I was 20.

I always find that the leg makeup works far better than gradual tanners.

My view is get them out as soon as it's sunny. All the advice above is good too - weights, exfoliating, fake tan, moisturising, pedicure - but the thing that makes the most difference to me is getting my legs out in the sun. They always look pale and horrible at first. Veins are more visible and skin texture is decidedly lizard-like after the winter. But after a few sunny days in shorts (and lots of moisturiser and gradual tanner), they look OK again. You just have to brave it. No one else is looking at them as critically as you are.

@GreenShady Second the 'this works' perfect legs. Well not perfect but a hell of a lot better than before.
It's cheaper at Look Fantastic and well worth it

Leg excercises. Keep them firmed up.. don't waste money on cellulite cream, body brush daily,its the only thing that works. I like Johnson's Holiday skin, start off with the lightest shade. Keep the toe nails neat,nail varnish.

This stuff is bloody wonderful for moisturising legs:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07219N8H9?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k7_1_3&amp=&crid=3RAKUCZEG0VHN&amp=&sprefix=ame

Interested in a good fake tan for pale legs. I’m a Celt so am a sort of pale blue colour during the winter.

I've not tried the products mentioned above yet but I normally just use the cheapest facial foundation I can find, in a slightly darker shade, on my legs. I'm 50 and the veins are definitely less noticeable after using it.

I love that This Works product and another great one is Vita Liverata. The Sally Hansen leg spray is also great and is waterproof.

I wear it on my blotchy arms as well as my legs. I read somewhere that Kylie Minogue always wears full body make up for events etc.

My legs look awful with thread veins, chalk white skin and I bruise really easily too. They are in good shape though thanks to weight training.
I had sclerotherapy about 10 years ago and it didn't work at all-think it made my thread veins worse. I had laser too but this didn't help either.
Sally Hansen leg make up is AMAZING as is Vita Librata leg tan stuff. I never wear shorts and just wear floaty skirts and dresses in the summer.

Why do you NEED to wear shorts?
Of course, you can if you want to, but you can also just wear a short/midi/maxi summer dress? If it's for sports then leggings work even in the summer.

I have osteoporosis and have broken both kneecaps, my leg, my foot and my poor ankle has had it the worst, I've broken that at least four times. Everything apart from my foot has required surgery so my legs are a bit messed up.
I wear shorts and don't care what anyone else thinks, I doubt they're looking.

As mentioned above Vita Liberata body blur is amazing. It makes my legs look so smooth with a light, natural tan. Stays on until it's washed off. You can buy in Boots

I think some judicious choice of the length of the shorts is key - the longer the shorts the less leg on display. Just above the knee shorts is my choice. The UK is hardly tropical is it? Could you make do with capri pants - I don't because they they make my legs take on hobbit like proportions but I see some people looking wonderful in them.

I had thread veins removed by IPL done by a dermatologist (or rather the registered nurse he employed) and that did largely work. I also had IPL hair removal with a home unit and that helped not to have a near perpetual five oclock shadow because I am naturally very dark haired and saved the hours of my time I had previously spent ripping the hair out by the roots and dealing with ingrown hairs. I am a very pale Celt with that blueish tinge but I am happy with gradual tanners only turning me a pale beige because deeply bronzed legs would jar with the rest of me being pale and I just can't face trying to do my neck and shoulders. For special occasions in tropical climates I have used leg make up with dresses and it's more controllable than fake take in that you can blend and see what you're getting. My last outing was attending a Greek wedding in 40 degree heat and the leg make up stayed in place.

Please don't bake your legs in the sun. Many of my contemporaries used to slather their legs in baby oil and put them in the sun to bake. The commonest area for a melanoma is on the legs for women (backs for men). All natural tans are damage. If it's any consolation for the Celtic blues my dermatologist thinks my snowy white legs and arms are amazing as he only sees light skinned people who are tanned as having sun damage. Brown legs are not worth risking your life for.

@Badlands1 and @GreenShady how does the This Works cope with sweat? I play tennis and don't want it running down my legs mid-set! About to click buy, but thought I'd check!

Yes it's legs out time again!
This is my go-to leg enhancer... I just spray and wipe it on with a mitt. It's absolutely fool proof I promise

Bondi Sands GLO

I’m your age op, but my legs aren’t bad. I use Palmers Firming body lotion, everyday, I walk about 60 km per week (mental dogs need that much!) and I do Sydney Cummings workouts (free on YouTube, with weights bought from Aldi. Start with the Arise Programme) I can’t help with the paleness I’m afraid- I seem to be the anti christ of fake tan and always come out looking like a streaky ommpa loompa so I don’t bother!