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?

Leg makeup???? What fresh hell is this??

Do any of the firming skin creams work? My legs above my knees are hideous after weight loss (and I'm 51). I kind of expected it I suppose but it's quite disappointing after all that effort to still have them look quite so bad! I do cycle and run but not enough to fill out the wobbly skin.

Can't speak from personal experience because I don't do sweaty sports - but I've worn it in heatwaves and it doesn't seem to shift. It needs proper washing off to remove.

It does come in a travel size though so maybe try that if you're not sure - it's £10 from SpaceNK if that helps!

I think the point is that if you want to, you should just do it.

There are some situations where only shorts will do for whatever reason.

Same - I’ve lifted weights for 25 years and run and walk daily, but still the skin is starting to lose its firmness, but then I have never been one to wear shorts, so not missing out on much.

You do know you're on Style & Beauty right?

Exercise - yoga, pilates or barre for length and lean tone, weight training for strength and firmness.

That This Works stuff is great as is this from Beauty Pie.

For special occasions, a talented spray tanner who is skilled in subtle contouring.

And/or - a fuck it attitude!

Sorry, I thought I was in the AIBU and leg make up is definitely BU 😂 I’ll just slowly back out of here.

@faffadoodledo
It's quite light and doesn't seem like it would run but I haven't tested it out. I have used it in the heat though ( when I have had to get my legs out ) and it doesn't seem to be a problem. The Sally Hansen stuff is heavier and I have used it with a more evening outfit when I didn't want to wear tights but I think its too much for every day. It also worked well to be fair though

Of course you can if you want to. I was disputing the NEED.
I don't know of any situation where only shorts will do. Which ones are they?
If you're hot a loose dress will be cooler than anything with a waistband.

I'm super aware my legs aren't quite what they were. I play a lot of tennis and it's definitely tennis skirt season (shorter than most shorts). A loose dress definitely won't do when you're at full stretch on a tennis court!

@Gwenhwyfar
I think when you get to the stage of needing to write a post on Mumsnet about it, you're clearly demonstrating that you need - or ok just want really badly - to wear shorts 😊

I like wearing skirts, trousers and dresses in the summer but occasionally shorts just seem to be the right thing - for a certain activity that needs freedom of movement maybe? And slogging up a hill in Wales in a dress just isn't going to work.

But each to their own I say!

Why can't you go up a hill in a dress as long as it's not too tight or something? There are even special hiking dresses. I sometimes avoid short dresses for hikes in case there are nettles or brambles, but same goes for shorts.

@Gwenhwyfar you are Elise Wortley and I claim my £5 😁

@Gwenhwyfar You've got me! I really really don't know the answer 😂 🤷🏻‍♀️

Well for me personally - I'd have to wear something under the dress so my thighs didn't chafe. But shorts would be more comfortable in that case!

But also - I'm very happy to leave the discussion there and concede that you may very well be right and I am not invested enough in this to keep going 🤣😇

I have a lot of sun spots and freckles on my legs, the problem with fake tan is it makes them darker

I second the This Works leg stuff. I used it last year and it looks makes your legs look great. I would use it over fake tan though.

Dove is pretty cheap and crap, you need a good quality fake tan (St Tropez) and then the This Works leg stuff.

Do you mind me asking how much this cost? I’ve noticed in the last few years mine have started to take over my legs and I’m getting so self conscious about it - if sclerotherapy works then I want it!!

I'm 54. I think my legs look noticably worse than they did last year, but they're still in very good shape, all things considered and my shorts are getting shorter. I wish I'd believed I had the legs for short shorts when I really did!

Wear the shorts.

By far my favourite gradual tanneris the Palmers Cocobutter one

I'm a sucker for a MN recommendation. In what way is it better than more ordinary moisturisers? What does it achieve?

Just wondering what the difference is between the leg makeup suggested here and a fake tan/gradual tan? I used to use the St Tropez in-shower tan for very pale skin (only on my legs to counterbalance the glowing whiteness) and I loooved it, but it's now discontinued. Would love something to replace it!

I've had great legs most of my life and now at 49, I'm a regular cyclist and my legs look like.... shit! My skin looks trashed and bashed, I've long legs but they no longer look svelte though they SHOULD given the hours I put into them pedalling. Skin looks rough, tan uneven, muscles look lumpy. It feel unjust I'm following and here for the wins!

@poppymango not sure exactly what leg make up you mean but I think I recommended the Sally Hansen one. It's got a lot of coverage so will cover all thread veins, patchy colour, bruises and age spots. Totally different to fake tan.
It doesn't run and is fairly waterproof so will last for days even if you shower twice a day as long as you don't scrub your legs. I've tried others and nothing has as much coverage as the Sally Hansen one so if your legs aren't too marked the Vita Librata or the This Works one would be fine.

You could try a moisturiser with AHAs or BHAs in it - they are chemical exfoliants so should help smooth out the skin and make it softer.