BEGUILING BACK
WHETHER it’s a sliver of shoulder or a swathe of svelte, satin skin, revealing your back is in fashion again, particularly for the over 40s, when displaying decolletage is considered declasse.
Heidi Klum, 44, emma Thompson, 58, and 79-year-old Jane Fonda have all revealed their youthful secret weapon — the backless dress.
not only is a toned back beautiful, experts say a straight, supple spine demonstrates health, strength and youthfulness.
CURVE APPEAL
THE curve of the back is a vital part of our body’s sexual allure. Physiotherapist Tim Allardyce, at Surrey Physio, says studies have shown that women with a more curvaceous spine tend to be regarded as more attractive.
The skin on the back ages more slowly than the decolletage and as we all know, breasts are subject to gravity.
dr Sarah Johns, senior lecturer in evolutionary anthropology at the university of Kent, says: ‘A toned back in conjunction with a healthy BMI and a low waist-to-hip ratio does suggest that a woman is in good shape.’
PERFECT YOUR POSE
‘THe perfect back has a lumbar curve — at the base of the spine — of around 30 degrees, meaning that it’s gently arched,’ says Tim.
The good news is you can correct an overly flat back: lie on your front with your back arched and read a book. It will take up to a year of spending two or three minutes a day trying to get the curve back.
On the other hand, if the curve is too deep and you tend to stick out your derriere, then hug your knees.
Shoulders should be pushed back from behind: this will make you look younger and fitter no matter your age.
STAND TALL
‘I recOmmend two exercises for improving your posture,’ says Louise Parker, body transformation expert and founder of the Louise Parker clinic.
‘First, squeeze the shoulder blades together by imagining you have a £1 million lottery ticket between them. Hold for 30 seconds.
‘Secondly, stand in a doorway, lift elbows to shoulder height and then put elbows and forearms on the doorframe and push and release.’
SEXY SHOULDERS
AS we age, backs weaken but according to physiotherapist Tim Allardyce, it’s possible to maintain a strong back and square shoulders.
He says the way to help posture is to stand and stretch both arms above the head, trying to touch the ceiling. This elongates the spine and improves shoulder mobility. Then lie down, bend knees and drop them to either side, and finally rotate shoulders backwards, one after the other.
‘The worst thing you can do is not move the spine enough,’ says Tim. ‘You can lose mobility very swiftly.’
BANISH BACK FAT
‘YOu’d think our main worry would be fat bottoms,’ says body transformation expert Louise Parker, ‘but the major concern is back fat, or bra fat, which may become evident in the peri-menopause years.’
This doesn’t mean ruining your life with diets. She says: ‘It’s about healthy eating and doing 15 to 30 minutes of exercise a few times a week.’
MIRACLE MASSAGE
SPAS have long capitalised on the fact back pain is a common problem. ‘we underestimate the effect that stress and modern lifestyle has on our backs,’ says Hannah Farrell-wall, treatments manager at five- star spa ragdale Hall in Leicestershire.
‘ massage feels great, but more importantly, by releasing the knots and rolling the It’s a woman’s secret weapon. Here we reveal clever tips to give you a ...
shoulders back into place, it means that you’re instantly standing taller.’
TRY A ‘BACIAL’
Silky skin is almost as important as excellent posture. Experts say there is increased demand for the bacial — the back facial. The Crystal Clear Backshine (from £35, crystal clear.co.uk) uses microdermabrasion to treat stretchmarks, blocked pores and pimples, leaving skin smooth. Should you need something more anti-ageing, a treatment such as Clearlift laser will tighten and brighten skin ( from £ 250, courthouseclinics.co.uk).
NOW BARE YOUR BACK
STYLIST and editor in chief of Ultimate lifestylist website, Naomi isted, says: ‘The growing power of the older woman as fashionista may also explain why backs are the new sexy. Many women are ditching the boobs and focusing on backs instead. it’s not surprising that designers are rising to the challenge.’
From daring backless gowns to classy cut-outs, here’s our guide to getting back in fashion . . .