Feel like your arms have betrayed you? You’re not alone.
It’s sleeveless season – weddings, barbecues and beach breaks beckon – but while the temperature rises, many of us are still reaching for that trusty cardigan. The reason? Lost tone and ‘bingo wings’.
But you don’t need six months of pain in the gym or an expensive arm lift – with clever creams, expert tweaks and a few cosmetic cheats, you can tone, tighten and glow in weeks.
Toned, tightened and glowing arms: Our writer Leah Hardy at the gym
Why do our arms turn on us?
‘Arms are one of the most exposed yet least cared-for parts of the body,’ says Dr Leah Totton, founder of Dr Leah Clinics. ‘Sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin, causing pigmentation and crepiness.’
And, in mid-life, ‘oestrogen dips, skin loses elasticity, muscle tone drops and fat often redistributes – straight to the upper arms’, she adds.
But here’s the good news: there are fast fixes that work.
Firm & glow: The best creams on offer
No cream will give you Davina McCall’s arms overnight – but the right ones can hydrate, smooth and tighten the skin.
Dr Karishma Hemmady, dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, recommends looking for:
- Urea – to tackle dryness and roughness
- Retinol – to boost skin cell turnover
- Hyaluronic acid – to plump and hydrate
- Peptides – to encourage collagen production.
Dermatologist Dr Sasha Dhoat, from Stratum Clinics, adds: ‘Vitamin C can brighten and firm, while AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) help exfoliate. But go easy with scrubs and brushes – overdoing it can cause patchy pigmentation, especially on darker tones.’
TRY:
- Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment, £34
- Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, £24
- This Works Perfect Body Vit C Glow, £40
- Eucerin UreaRepair 5 per cent Lotion, £16.
The good news is that there are fixes that work for arms that have lost tone and elasticity
Sculpt with a swipe: Try arm massages
A massage may not build muscle, but it can sculpt in minutes by draining puffiness.
At-home gadget Sensifirm (£426), meanwhile, combines radiofrequency with a vibrating massage head to boost collagen and reduce puffiness.
And Antonia David, head of education at Elemental Herbology, says: ‘After a shower, apply a circulation-boosting body oil, then use a jade comb to sweep from elbow to armpit. This supports lymphatic drainage and smooths bumpy skin.’
TRY:
- Elemental Herbology Detox Bath and Body Oil, £33
- Sephora Jade Hair and Neck Comb, £17.99.
Pro treatments with fast results
Off on holiday? You can get sleeker arms, surgery-free.
- Thread lifts (from £2,200) subtly lift sagging skin. ‘You’ll see improvement right away, with full results in four to eight weeks,’ says Dr Totton.
- Profhilo injections (from £800) hydrate and stimulate collagen. ‘Great for crepey skin,’ adds Dr Totton.
- Endolift (from £1,900), a laser tweak London-based Dr Priya Verma recommends. ‘It offers skin tightening and contouring with minimal recovery time,’ she says.
Lift hard and see the proof
Want visible results in weeks? Try strength training.
‘Muscle loss is real after 40,’ warns fitness expert Julia Buckley. ‘Without it, arms look looser. Put in some effort and you’ll feel results in a week.’
Her tips:
- Use weights that make your arms burn by rep ten
- Focus on bicep curls, tricep kickbacks and overhead shoulder presses
- Embrace that shaky feeling – it means progress.
Find free workouts at: juliabuckleyfitness.com.
Strength training can quickly lead to visible results, say fitness experts
Fake it ’til you tone it
Cheat your way to toned arms with clever, flattering faux tans and highlighters.
Make-up artist Lisa Caldognetto recommends Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan (£55). ‘It’s so easy to apply for a gorgeous colour.’ A good high street alternative is Isle of Paradise Gradual Self-Tan Lotion (£9.99).
Caldognetto says: ‘Run highlighter down the centre of your arms and over the biceps to create the illusion of lean, toned muscle.’
TRY:
- L’Oreal Paradise Lumi Glotion, £11.99
- Rare Beauty Positive Light Highlighter, £24.
Avoid these two arm-ageing sins
1. Skipping SPF
A whopping 90 per cent of visible ageing is caused by UV rays. Dr Dhoat says: ‘Use broad spectrum SPF30+ daily.’
2. Weight loss… minus weights
Ozempic and Wegovy jabs may help you shed pounds – but up to 30 per cent can be lean tissue, leading to saggy arms. Eat 20g to 30g of protein with each meal and lift weights to stay strong and firm.
