It's bare legs season! Here's how to get your pins perfectly primed for spring

Like the first sighting of daffodils, the firing-up of the barbecue and the constant temptation of foil-wrapped Lindt bunnies, the arrival of Bare Leg Season is one of spring’s great inevitabilities.

One minute we’re tugging on jeans, blissfully unaware of the state of our shins, toes, knees and thighs. The next, an unseasonably warm day shows up and we’re faced with the cold, hard truth that our legs — after months in hibernation — are far from ready for public consumption.

For me it goes like this: the sun comes out, I reach for a dress, inevitably late; the pub, the park and my friends are calling. Alas — the awful realisation that my skin looks like parchment, dry, dull and in need of sanding. My knees, which haven’t seen the light of day since September, are demonstrating a remarkable melange of ruddy-meets-pale. There are rogue bruises of unknown origin and I grew a baby, so I’m not as firm as I’d like. I won’t mention my feet.

It feels like a lot. And it is. But this year I will do better. Be more polished and pulled-together so that when it’s time I can whip my legs out with style, confidence and aplomb. Want to give it a go? Here’s what we’ll do.

Smoothly does it

Those bored with the tedium of waxing and shaving should book in with Debbie Thomas at her Chelsea flagship. She has more than 25 years of experience delivering laser treatments and her clinic is the first to offer “the AGAIN laser”. Currently the most powerful hair removal solution in the world, this game-changing treatment (from £195, dthomas.com) is pain free, unrivalled in speed and able to treat all Fitzpatrick skin tones, plus tanned skin.

But it gets better. “In addition to removing hair, lasers can help to even out skin tone,” says Thomas. “Brown sun spots, red blotches and veins can all make legs look mottled and aged, but the AGAIN laser is able to tackle these issues too, making legs look far more youthful and even in tone.” Praise be.

Bye bye bloat

Lymphatic drainage has long been used by those in the know to flush away stagnation, boost circulation and reveal a smoother silhouette and refined skin texture. Skin health specialist Annee de Mamiel (demamiel.com) explains: “The lymphatic system relies on movement and external stimulation to function well. Techniques such as dry brushing, self-massage and contrast showers (alternating hot and cold water) encourage lymphatic flow to clear toxins and promote a more contoured appearance.

Daily movement will further support the body’s natural detoxification, ensuring your legs look and feel lighter and firmer. For me, Cecily Braden’s lymphatic brush (from £133, thelymphaticbrush.com) is a must. Use it with gentle, upward strokes towards the heart, to stimulate circulation and wake up the lymphatic system.”

Loose skin? No problem

Loose, sagging skin or dimpling that you want to lose? Award-winning GP and aesthetics doctor Priya Verma recommends the Endolift laser as a neat solution. “By delivering heat into the deep layers of the skin, this treatment works from within to remodel existing collagen and encourage the production of new collagen for tighter, youthful-looking skin with little downtime,” explains Verma.

Particularly effective for areas prone to sagging, such as the thighs and knees, Endolift (£2,500, drpriyaverma.com) can even shift stubborn fat pockets. “I tend to combine Endolift with injectable biostimulators such as polynucleotides to improve both the deeper and more superficial layers of the skin with very effective results,” the doctor expands. Expect results that continue to improve over three to six months.

Best foot first

When there’s serious work to be done on your feet there’s only one thing for it. With locations across town, Margaret Dabbs clinics offer podiatrist-performed medical pedicures (from £90, margaretdabbs.co.uk) incorporating surgical chiropody to take care of calluses, corns, cuticles and everything in between.

This treatment is truly The One. You’ll leave lighter, brighter and positively pleased to remove your socks. Grab the famous Foot Hygiene cream (£22, margaretdabbs.co.uk) on the way out.

Do your DIY

Sorry, we can’t outsource it all… Those with dry skin like mine should swap their shower gel for oil. Wildsmith’s Vitality shower oil (£42, wildsmithskin.com) is formulated to nourish and boost skin health. Try CeraVe moisturising cream with ceramides for dry to very dry skin (£17.50 cultbeauty.co.uk). Unscented, it transforms skin quality fast.

To slough away dryness, little beats Clarins Tonic Sugar Polisher (£39, clarins.co.uk) which leaves skin perfectly soft. And last but not least I love Isle of Paradise self-tanning butter (£16.95, theisleofparadise.com). Foolproof to use, it gives a seamless your-limbs-but-better finish.