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Get Your Skin Swimsuit and Sandal-Ready for Summer

A dermatologist's tips for smooth, hair-free skin.

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The cherry blossoms have finally bloomed in the Washington area, so the time to think about looking your best this summer in a swimsuit and sandals is now. A good diet and exercise program is the best way to help slim down and tone those areas that have gotten soft over the winter months, but for areas that require more help, there are non-surgical body contouring treatments that can reduce stubborn bulges.

Create a smooth silhouette.

Treatments such as cryolipolysis and focused ultrasound can destroy fat cells permanently without cutting the skin, so there is no risk of infection or scars. Although the results are less dramatic than the surgical option, liposuction, these two treatments can help smooth and shrink the abdomen, thighs, and waist with little or no recovery time. It takes between one and three months to see the results from treatment, so the best time to have them done to look great over the summer is now. After having two C-sections and living with a stubborn tummy myself, I can attest that although non-surgical fat removal sounds too good to be true, it actually works.

Shave those legs no more.

For a fuzz-free summer, a series of laser hair removal treatments will work nicely. However, since it can take three to five monthly treatments to get the best hair reduction, think about getting started with treatments in the spring. Be sure to go to an office that specializes in laser hair removal to reduce side effects and get the best results possible. The treatments are best done on skin that is not tan, which is another reason to get started with treatments now to be ready for the beach.

Wear open-heeled shoes with pride.

For fabulous feet, find a thick cream that contains at least 30 percent urea at the local pharmacy and use it every night under socks on the heels and any callouses to soften thickened skin. Once weekly, remove all the dead softened skin with a pumice stone or Pedi-egg tool. Once all the thickened rough skin is gone, moisturize with a shea butter moisturizer to leave feet feeling soft and smooth like butter.

Don’t forget that once you are toned up and hair-free with gorgeous feet, it’s still important to protect your skin at the beach with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, sunglasses, and a hat. Your skin will thank you for it.

Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi is a board-certified dermatologist and co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Surgery.

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Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi is a board-certified dermatologist and co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Surgery.