A bare-able summer

I still remember it like it was yesterday — the chilly air, nippy weather, and cozy movie marathon sessions under fuzzy blankets. But before anyone knew it, beads of sweat were starting to form on our foreheads and the sun was starting to sting our skin. Summer didn’t creep in this year; it caught all of us unaware, the sun shining bright unforgiving rays on all our pale-skinned and flabby-bodied glory. With absolutely zero time to prepare for beach cavorting and skin-baring summer wear, here are some quick-fix solutions to make our bodies bare-able.

I want it now!

So the suplado hunk you’ve been pining for has finally decided to get to know you and has invited you to his pool party. Since Spanx don’t look too cute under swimwear, what’s a flabby-bodied girl to do? There are several options:

RF or Reshape. A comfortable, pain-free and quick way to lose those extra inches, Reshape utilizes the latest RF (radio frequency) technology that penetrates the inner layer of the skin to help reshape and sculpt your body. Not only that, Reshape can also help eliminate wrinkles on your face and tighten sagging skin. According to Dr. Yanee of Aesthetic Clinic (www.aestheticscienceclinic.com, 809-8021/0916-3412464 in Alabang or 899-3643/0908-9967376 in Makati), some of the Reshape benefits you can immediately experience are a flatter stomach, slimmer hips and thighs, toned upper and inner arms, improved cellulite appearance and tighter skin. Results are instant and can be seen right after the first treatment but this is, of course, best coupled with exercise and eating the right food because you need to maintain the lost inches. Dr. John Ceneca of Jancen Clinic (www.jancencosmeticsurgery.com, 521-1444 in Ermita. 376-4005 in Quezon City) says there really is no limit to how often it should be done, you can have this procedure done every day over lunch break since it only takes about 30 minutes, or if you’re busy, two to three times a week. For those who have previously given birth, this will help tighten the skin in the stomach area. There is no pain involved so this is perfect for all those who want a quick fix with no discomfort.

Mesotherapy. This is the practice of injecting small amounts of medicines, vitamins, minerals and other supplements into the problematic area of the body — abdomen, thighs, chin, etc. — to effectively reduce cellulite and spot-fat as well as promote skin rejuvenation. Great for those who have more time to spare, this treatment can target stubborn fatty areas that won’t budge even with exercise like a double chin, kili-kili (underarm) fat, and clingy stomach or thigh flabs. Not for those afraid of needles, but perfect for those who just have some problem areas that have separation-anxiety.

Injectable L-Carnitine. L-Carnitine aids in the burning of fat cells and hastens the body’s metabolism. In fact, you immediately experience L-Carnitine eliminating the fat on your first treatment through sweating and a boost in your energy level. This is your cue to make good use of this energy burst through brisk walking and other forms of exercise. “Even people who exercise regularly and follow a strict diet plan sometimes cannot see the results of their labor. The scale might show you’re losing pounds, but your problem areas will be the last to budge. Treatments like this help facilitate the change in silhouette,” shares Dr. Yanee.

You’re so vein

You’ve always been naturally slim, and your body’s okay enough for viewing, but your legs have started to show bulging veins. Leg and facial veins are unattractive at best, debilitating at worst. “Varicose and spider veins have several causes. Some get it during pregnancy, it may be hereditary, a side effect of hormonal treatments or pills, or a result of standing or sitting down for long periods of time. Varicose veins should be treated as this can lead to an impaired ability to walk and at the extreme level, the veins can actually push out of the skin and become an open, bulging wound, or cause fatal blood clots,” warns Dr. John Ceneca. His clinic specializes in Sclerotherapy, a non-surgical treatment for varicose and spider veins. “We inject a solution directly to the veins that makes them collapse and fade from view. Results are instant.” Far from being just a cosmetic problem, varicose veins should be treated ASAP to avoid further complications. Spider veins on the face can also be treated with Sclerotherapy.

Grin and bare it

Summer may be the most unforgiving, body-conscious season of them all, but think of it this way: it’s your yearly wake-up call to let you know if you’ve been good to your body or not. After months of layering on clothes to comfortably hide our sins, it’s the season to smarten up and start shaping up.