Introduction to Wedding Arms
In this post, I will give you an easy routine for treating one’s “wedding arms” so that they look better in sleeveless and short-sleeved dresses.
I was recently at a lovely wedding when a guest approached me to ask me if there are any easy dermatological tips or tricks to help the appearance of her arms. As we age, we lose density in our skin due to sun damage as well as due to the hormonal effects of menopause. We lose bone density in our arms and our skin becomes thinner and dryer. Lastly, due to the aging process, our arms become less muscular and we typically have less muscle definition. Because of all this, most women are uncomfortable with their aging arms.
Whenever I have a special event that will expose my arms, I do the two-week routine below. The skin and muscle definition really improves that quickly. See what you think.
Easy Steps to Better-Looking Wedding Arms
1. For two weeks before the event I do this very simple Tracy Austin five-minute exercise routine (see photos immediately below) using one or two-pound weights. This increases muscle tone and improves skin laxity.
2. For the same two weeks in the shower, I gently wash my arms all over with Glytone mild gel cleanser. I rinse well, pat dry, and within five minutes I then apply Amlactin ultra smoothing intensely hydrating cream all over my arms. This hydrates the dry arm skin and increases collagen production. Collagen is part of the support system of our skin and tends to decrease as we age. (This is great to use all year round on your skin and will gradually improve the texture of all aging skin). On the face, it can sometimes sting so other options will be discussed in the “My favorite skin products” post.
3. Then on the day of the event I apply Remede Body Contour lotion preferably right after a long ten-minute soak in a warm bath. The bath hydrates my skin. Then, I pat dry and within five minutes I liberally apply this to my arms and legs. I discovered this little gem on vacation with my husband in Hawaii. It was included in my spa treats. I LOVE this product as it gently tightens your skin for the next four or five hours. If you’re the mother-of-the-bride and still in the thick of photos take a quick time-out and go reapply to those exposed arms while touching up your makeup (put it in a travel-size bottle).
4. When you take any photos try to put your hand on your hip. This creates a beautiful space between your arm and torso. This makes your arm look thinner as you’re not squishing your arm against your side which looks less flattering.
Here you see me (and my arms) wearing a royal blue gently ruched sleeveless dress. I love the color and the style is very flattering as well as forgiving.
I paired it with a silver lame wrap, a long strand of pearls, a pearlized clutch with a rhinestone clasp, and a pair of kitten-heeled silver Stuart Weitzman sandals. The purse is white but because of the pearly quality, it reads silver especially when paired with the silver shawl.
5. My last tip is that with any sleeveless top or top, to ensure that your bra doesn’t peak, out I have a dressmaker or tailor put in lingerie straps that snap over the shoulder strap of my bra, and secure it to my dress shoulder seam. Another option is to buy these shoulder strap retainers. These are great as they’re transferable from one outfit to another as they just pin onto the inside of your dress shoulder seam.
Conclusion to Better Looking Wedding Arms
Hopefully, these tips will improve the skin of your arms so you can feel more comfortable rocking that sleeveless dress. My goal for 35 years as a cosmetic dermatologist was not to have the patient look like a teenager, but just to look as good as possible for their current phase in life.
Happy Wedding Day!!!
XO,
Dr. Julie
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