Summer’s here – time to show off your pins! Whether it’s a little daily TLC, a beauty tip or exercises, there are more ways than ever for your legs to feel great

AT ONE time or another y o u’ v e p r o b a b l y stretched your legs up a wall. Perhaps to quell puffy ankles after a f light, or ease achy calves after a long day. It feels so good because as the pressure of gravity disappears, muscles soften and relax. Veins no longer bulge as blood flows back to the heart, and the fluid build-up between tissues drains. It’s a beautifully simple way to relieve your legs and boost wellbeing. But there are lots of other ways to give your legs some love too.

As well as slashing salt and staying hydrated, vitamin B6 – found in shiitake mushrooms, salmon, avocado and red meat – is thought to ease fluid retention.

If you’re among the 30% of people with spider or varicose veins, you’ll know the familiar throbbing, burning and pain, which can be alleviated with treatment.

“Think of the superficial veins in your legs as trees. If large veins are the branches, then spider veins are the leaves,” says dermatologist Dr Adrian Lim.

“Spider veins don’t affect your health, however one-third are under pressure from feeder veins, which need to be treated or the spider veins may not clear.”

Feeder veins are often varicose, caused by the pooling of blood.

They develop when the veins are naturally weak or under pressure from excess weight or pregnancy.

“Genetics are only half the story,” Dr Lim says. “The most important lifestyle factor is physical activity. If you’re sedentary you’re not pumping your blood through your veins.”

Sclerotherapy An ultrasound may be used to guide 40-50 injections of a substance that collapses the veins. You need up to six 30-minute treatments spaced one to three weeks apart. You also need to walk daily. It can take a few weeks for the veins to clear.

Some like shimmer, some like bronze, but have you ever thought of body foundation? “It gives an even, natural colour, with a light coverage – almost like wearing an invisible pair of sheer stockings,” says Carol Mackie, Mac senior global artist.

Endovenous laser ablation Under sedation, a thin fibre optic is passed into the vein and the light is converted into heat which destroys the vein. You must walk afterwards and wear support stockings for six weeks. Pain, tenderness and discolouration can persist.

The most important lifestyle factor is physical activity

1 Two-pack personalised baubles R299,95, NetFlorist. 2 Christmas stockings from R41,99 each, Clicks. 3 Tinsel tree (120cm) with 42 decorations R399, Game. 4 3-pack stationery tape (2,9m each) R34,98, The Crazy Store. 5 Snowflake lights R19,99, PEP Home. 6 Merry Christmas bag (19x26cm) R70, Streepsak. 7 Elf string (30m) R29,98, The Crazy Store. 8 20-piece bauble set R249, Makro. 9 12-pack crackers R179, Woolworths. 10 Mug (400ml) R369, Le Creuset. 11 Solar stick light (45x26,5cm) R249, Game.

TIP Bring the outdoors inside for an elegant, earthy look and feel.

1 10-light string lights R169, Woolworths. 2 5-pack balloons R54, 3 6-pack place cards (10x10cm) R55, Nifty Gifts. 4 Lantern (25cm) R447,50, Grandiflora. 5 4-pack organic napkin holders R250, Poetry. 6 Candleholder (25cm) R229, H&M. 7 Wire LED spiral tree lights (40cm) R149,99, glass dome with LED copper wire (15cm) R179,99 and LED star light (30cm) R129,99, Shoprite and Checkers. 8 Stocking (44cm) R159, Yuppiechef. 9 2-pack hanging glitter reindeer (17x6cm) R29,99, MRP Home. 10 Votive candleholder (16cm) R149, @home. 11 Glitter tree with LED lights (50cm) R599, Woolworths.

TIP An all-gold colour scheme creates a luxurious and sophisticated look. 1 Mini rainbow decorations by Ellebow (6x5cm) R20 each, Kamers. 2 Colourful decorations from R39,99 each, Shoprite and Checkers. 3 Mini tree with decorations (30cm) R149,99, Cotton On. 4 Glitter reindeer decorations (size) R9,99 each, PEP Home. 5 Sack (68x85cm) R299,99, Cotton On. 6 Mini tassel wreath (10,5cm) R89,95, Woolworths. 7 Glass jar with 10 LED wire lights (13,5x7,5cm) R129, Game. 8 10-light LED pineapple string lights R129, Game. 9 Multi-colour rope lights (9m) R339, Makro. 10 Batman stocking (47cm) R229, Nifty Gifts. 11 Star decoration (13,5cm) R79,95, Woolworths.