How to Make Bare Legs Prettier After 50

Co-authored by Aparna Ghosh

Last Updated: February 8, 2023

Anyone of any age can parade their bare legs as they choose! If you're a little self conscious about the appearance of your pins, and happen to be over 50, this article has some suggestions about make you legs look pretty when bare, or, at least appearing to be bare. About half of all people 50 and older are affected by varicose veins, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there are several other vein problems including spider veins - the tiny bluish ones usually on the legs. Older legs can have age spots, dry skin and can bruise easily - to cover these and have lovely legs, get started at step number one below.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cosmetic Products for Pretty Legs

1
Use a good body moisturizer on your legs to get the skin in tip top condition to prepare your legs. Active over the 50s may have rough knees from gardening for example. Exfoliate your skin and remove hair from your legs if you like. Waxing, shaving and epilating are all options.
2
Use leg makeup. These products have really improved from the the early products on the market. Current products are easier to apply, last longer, and don't rub off on your clothes. Drug stores and some high end makeup counters carry spray leg makeup.
- Match your own skin tone or go slightly darker for a tanned look. These products work much like foundation makeup works on your face to conceal flaws.
- Smooth leg make on with your hands being sure to apply an even layer then wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
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3
Use self-tanning lotions and sprays. Darkening your legs can minimize the appearance of blotches and spider veins by creating an overall tan look. Tanning booths or salon applied sprays are big business now. You will probably need to exfoliate at home before your appointment.
- In booth tanning you control the spray by twisting your body around in front of the jets. If you get spray tan product on your hands, you'll need to wash the palms of your hands afterwards to prevent unsightly staining.
- In salon-applied tanning, the operator moves the spray gun around your body. If you want tan only on your legs, you should discuss the strategy with the salon ahead of time.
- There are a variety of tanning sprays and lotions available for home use. Finding one that won't turn your legs orange is important! If it's not summer, or you just prefer, you can apply a lighter color lotion only to your legs. The best method also requires using an exfoliating scrub to remove loose skin particles before applying the tanning product, try exfoliating gloves if you wish. Exfoliating works best in the shower. After the skin is carefully dried, apply the tanning lotion to your legs. Thin rubber gloves can be useful to help spread around the lotion for more evenness. Some people prefer using their hands directly for more control. The palms of the hands need to be carefully washed afterward.
- Rinse off self-tanning lotions as soon as you're finished wearing them so it doesn't sit on your skin for a long period of time.
4
Use toe-less pantyhose. As you know from years of wearing pantyhose, legs tend to look better when smoothed over by the sheer fabric. The problem is that when wearing a peep toe shoes or sandals, the unsightly pantyhose toe cover shows over the toes. There are a few clever toeless styles to help with this. Several well-known brands offer a toeless version that is available at some drugstores. More expensive designer name brands are super-fine so that they look virtually invisible. They're quite effective in giving a smooth glow to the legs that look very close to bare.
- With all the toeless pantyhose, be sure to conceal the edge of the toe hole inside the shoe.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Medical Procedures to Improve Skin on Legs

1
Try sclerotherapy. This procedure is best for small spider veins. A saline (saltwater) solution is injected into the vein. It hardens and the vein effectively disappears.
2
Get a laser treatment. A blast of the laser can make very small spider veins disappear.
3
Try varicose vein treatments. These large, and sometimes painful, veins may require more serious treatment such as laser surgery, endovenous thermal ablation, vein stripping, endoscopic vein surgery, and other procedures.
- Treatments, aftercare, and risks should be thoroughly discussed with an experienced physician who specializes in this field.
4
Talk to your doctor if your legs frequently tend to look less pretty due to swelling. Ankle oedema can be elevated by resting with your legs elevated, especially if a lot of standing has been the cause, but there can be other reasons for swollen ankles and calves so consult your GP if it's happening a lot.
5
Keep your leg looking pretty with consistent exercise. Try straight leg lifts with weights, or not, they are ideal an ideal element of an. overall exercise routine. Biking is easy on the knees and great for the leg. Try squats, even doing a few while you clean you teeth in the morning can help. Yoga and Pilates are goods for helping keep your limbs in good order as you get older. These types of exercise help build and maintain muscle mass and give legs a toned and healthier appearance. Both activities also encourage proprioception and balance reducing the risk of falls for those over 50 that may be at risk.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can stretch marks on legs go away?

Aparna Ghosh
California Licensed Esthetician & Electrologist
Aparna Ghosh is a Licensed Esthetician & Electrologist and the Owner of Synergy Skincare in Folsom, California. She has been running Synergy Skincare since 2017 and has over eight years of industry experience working with various skin types. Aparna specializes in corrective and preventative skincare. She is a Kaiser Permanente Network Provider providing electrolysis hair removal for transgender patients diagnosed with adult gender dysphoria and gender incongruence. In addition to being certified in skin health and herbology, she holds a Master's degree in Zoology with a specialization in Biochemistry and a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry. Synergy Skincare won the Hall of Fame Best in Folsom Award in 2019 and 2022 and the Yelp Recognition Badge in 2017 and 2020.

Aparna Ghosh

California Licensed Esthetician & Electrologist

Expert Answer

Sure they can. You can use Bio-Oil at home to reduce stretch marks and even new scar tissue. This product will also help hydrate your skin and even out pigmentation, making your legs seem younger and prettier.