Emer O'Callaghan: Put on the shorts and go for the swim...time to get those legs out 

I put a photo on social media recently of my legs crossed lying on the beach during the hot spell, and the amount of people who complimented me was hilarious.

‘Twas far from a page three picture now, but sure, any bit of skin on show today draws attention.

I am always out walking, so my poor old legs are always on the go.

Women have long been judged on their looks. Cleopatra spoke nine languages, but history chooses to remember her iconic eyeliner. Jackie Kennedy Onassis was the most famous woman in the world, renowned for her beauty and style. but what is she most remembered for? The two men she married!

Marilyn Monroe used vaseline as a primer under her make-up long before primers were even invented, and it gave her lips a more seductive look - now multi-million dollar beauty companies make gloss lipsticks and primers that we all buy.

Marilyn was an actress who is now viewed as a beauty icon, while Bette Davis was an actress who is still remembered most for her intense, wide-eyed gaze and hooded lids,.

As women, we will always be judged, even defined by our looks.

As a beauty doctor and skin specialist, I treat women of all ages every day who feel insecure about their body, skin, or appearance.

One complaint I often hear in the summer is from women saying they don’t feel they have the legs for shorts or summer clothes.

I think that’s so sad because really, it’s just an insecurity, and sure, we all have those.

That’s how we speak about ourselves as women - our ‘good’ parts and ‘bad’ parts - but sometimes I think it’s just a lack of confidence.

No-one is perfect, and once you can accept that, you can give yourself a break more too.

People think I am very confident, and I find that hilarious - I’m really not. But what I am is always true to myself, I don’t do fake, I don’t pretend to be something I’m not, and I certainly don’t put on a show for anyone. What you see is what you get, and it’s taken me this long in life to be secure enough in myself to say I am authentic and honest.

So when a client is feeling vulnerable about getting their legs out this summer, there is so much I can tell her to help her feel better about that.

RUB A DUB SCRUB

Layers of dead skin on any part of your body or face are noticeable, and I really do feel we need more education on the importance of doing a once or twice a week body scrub to remove it. Failing to do so would make anyone’s skin look dull, tired and old looking.

My Emerald Organic Body Scrub is flying off the shelves in the clinic, even the men snap it up and can see and feel the difference.

So many people tell me how they are so good to moisturise their body, but rarely exfoliate, and sure, that’s just counter-productive. That’s like washing the floors and you haven’t even hoovered first.

So, a weekly body scrub would be the first place to start in transforming your legs this summer.

VEINS AND BRUISES

The main reason many women tell me they don’t want to show off their legs is due to the many veins and often bruises they have on them.

Standing and sitting for too long can cause these veins, this is why movement is so important all day, sitting at a desk or on the couch or driving too long are not good.

Many people are more prone to bruising too, and these can be unsightly.

The beauty industry is constantly bringing out new products to help disguise the appearance of veins and bruises on the body.

Support stockings, while far from sexy, I know, are really good in helping with veins and should be worn regularly.

Other products help too, I swear by the Guinot Leg Soothing Gel, it’s an anti-inflammatory which I keep in my fridge and, after a long, 12-hour day in this heat in my clinic, I just love lashing it on after my shower and putting my feet up so it can work better.

Lots of ladies tell me their legs feel heavy and once they try this gel they feel the difference. My sporty clients love this too.

Often, people apply concealer to their legs to hide their veins, and fake tan is still great to disguise veins and bruises also.

DREADED CELLULITE

I am shocked how so many young people today have noticeable cellulite. This is down to too much sugary, processed and salty foods along with lack of exercise.

The legs and bum are the most common places to see cellulite. It’s characterised by the lumpy, bumpy, dimply texture on the skin, trapped fat is what it really is, and circulation is key so movement, and exercise helps it.

Cellulite is usually cold due to the lack of blood flow to this area, this is why heat really helps it. Removing the shower head and placing it up against your cellulite areas really helps get the blood flow moving, as does a massage.

The French are number one when it comes to skincare and body care, and our Guinot Slim Thermic Creme is amazing for improving cellulite. It has therapeutic ingredients that heat up when applied to the area.

ELEVATE THE LEGS

Many people only think you should elevate your legs if you’re tired or post-surgery, but elevating your legs above heart level is so good for us all. It increases blood flow and helps prevent veins forming.

If you think about it, we are either standing or sitting during the day so by putting your feet up, you are redirecting blood flow back up instead of down.

Sometimes, if my legs are tired after work or I’ve walked a lot that week, I will put my legs up after work against a wall and just stay like that for 10-15 minutes because it’s so good for the blood flow and instantly takes pressure off the legs, hips, knees, and ankles.

Sore feet are common in summer, so walking in the sea or soaking them in some Epsom salts is good to help soothe them.

Wearing different footwear daily that has good support is key too. I certainly couldn’t do my job in a pair of heels, that’s for sure.

EXERCISE AND WATER

Legs that look good are usually toned and firm and exercise will give you that.

I find from 25 years working in the beauty industry that often people just want a quick, fast fix, but they are far less keen on getting sweaty.

I truly believe exercise is medicine; it’s not just good to firm and tone you up, but it’s great for the mind too. And walking is so easy for almost everyone.

It’s important too to drink two-and-a-half to three litres of water a day to flush out toxins in the body.

And remember, cellulite didn’t form overnight, you didn’t get unfit in a week, it’s the consistent, small things we do daily that will improve not just our legs but all our body, our minds, and our overall health.

A final word: Try not to be so self-conscious on the beach or in public.

The truth is, everyone is far too concerned about their own body and lumps and bumps to ever be looking at yours!

So put on the shorts, wear the swimsuit, go for the swim, because life is short and life is for living.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi-award-winning beauty doctor, skin specialist and winner of Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year, and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A Gold Crown Elite Clinic and Dermalogica Centre of Excellence, 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook/Instagram/TikTok now.

SPECIAL OFFER: Book any of our Dermalogica or Guinot facials in July and get a half price Guinot Foot Peeling Treatment valued at €45. To book, call Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. Appointments only. Free parking for clients.