Hiding your legs under long skirts, denim and opaque tights all the time is not an option! But do you dare to go bare? For every cringe-inducing problem, from ghostly gams to orange-peel-afflicted skin, we have an easy and effective solution. But don't stop at the thighs! Read on for how to keep your lower body looking svelte and sexy.

Silky-smooth legs are a must when it's time to show some skin. Here's how to cut down on your grooming time.

SHAVING

It's the easiest way to get rid of unwanted hair, but it's also the most short-lived. Many women have to wield a razor every day to keep their legs totally touchable. Always use a sharp razor and shave in the opposite direction of hair growth. And don't skip the shaving cream (using only soap is a shortcut to nicks and cuts). If you really need to shave, use a non-alcohol shaving cream and do it at the end of your shower when the hair is wet and soft and the open pores can better absorb the product. And don't forget to apply soothing body oil, to keep in moisture (you can also use it for shaving).

Save-your-skin tip: If ingrown hairs are a problem, apply an anti-inflammation product or trade your shaver for an epilator.

WAXING

An advantage of this hair-removal option is that legs will stay hair-free for much longer than with shaving. Smooth skin can last anywhere from a few days to more than a week. Drawbacks include the pain factor (pop an aspirin or Panadol half an hour before, and avoid waxing during the sensitive three to four days prior to your period), the expense and the stubble you have to endure while waiting between waxes. Hair should be a minimum of 5 to 8mm long so the wax can catch on the strands more easily. A cheaper option is to get a home waxing kit.

Sate-your-skin tip: Waxing removes the top layer of skin, so wait for three days after waxing to apply self-tanner, to avoid getting uneven splotches.

PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL

Many spas and dermatologists offer this high-tech option. How it works: A laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) machine targets the colour in each hair follicle, stopping the growth cycle with no effect on the outer layer of skin. With each zap of the laser comes a "snap" to the skin that feels like the sting of a rubber band, but with every subsequent treatment (each area requires at least six sessions) the pain lessens. Results are long lasting, although many people, especially those with darker, coarser hair, will need touch-ups a few months after the initial course of treatment as fine hairs grow back. Both legs take more than an hour. Permanent hair removal is not a cheap solution, but over a number of years it can save lots of time and effort. Save-your-shin tip: Avoid salt water or sun exposure for three days before and after a treatment to help avoid infection, irritation and hyper pigmentation.

You got some thing (pale skin, an uneven tan) to hide.

Self-tanning is your secret weapon. Aside from imparting a healthy glow without the skin-ravaging effects of sun exposure, a faux tan visually slim your legs while helping to cover up cellulite and other skin imperfections. First scrub away dead skin to promote an even tan. Other options for looking fabulous in shorts and skirts shimmery powders outlets) and creams mixed with moisturisers (which also look great on shoulders and décolletage).

Your veins are showing through

Women get spider veins due to a variety of reasons including genes, pregnancy; prolonged sitting or standing, and weight gain. Thankfully, though, you don't have to live with them. Sclerotherapy, a method in which a solution is injected into the veins, making them close up and disappear, is one of the preferred treatments. Possible side effects include bruising at the injection site.

Another option, one that needle-phobes may prefer, is laser treatment, which heats the vessels to close them. The decision between laser and sclerotherapy is partly dependant on the size of the veins. Recommend to treat anything up to 3mm in diameter with a laser and anything larger with sclerotherapy.

To prevent aggravating an existing condition, avoid excessive high-impact exercises, which can increase pressure on the veins and thus enlarge them. (Instead try lower-impact options such as Spinning or the elliptical trainer.) And treat tired legs to a refreshing massage to stimulate blood circulation and promote drainage.

Instant-covet-up tip: Minimise leg veins with body makeup.

You've got it (cellulite) and don't want to flaunt it.

It's every woman's enemy and, sadly, there is no cure. Cellulite is caused by fat bulging against fibrous bands that connect underlying layers of fat to the skin, which causes a puckered look on the surface. Liposelection is the best solution because it can easily remove superficial fat without causing irregular contours. And while anti-cellulite creams can help improve the look of lumps and bumps by moisturising, firming and plumping up the skin for a few hours with caffeine and other ingredients, they can't fix the underlying problem: fat.

Get-slimmer-looking-legs type, a manual lymphatic drainage massage to encourage circulation and ease fluid retention. And try to refrain from taking salty food as it can cause water retention. Eat your fruits and vegetables as they contain minerals that help maintain fluid balance in the body.

You've of a battlefield of scars.

Insect bites, cuts, scratches and other seemingly innocent injuries can leave permanent dark unsightly scars on your legs even after recovery. This is what doctors call "post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation" or post-injury darkening of the skin. Excess melanin gets deposited in the inner layer of the skin during the healing process and this takes time to resolve, these blemishes are not irreversible. Lasers and chemical peels may be a little costly but with multiple sessions, they do a good job of removing or lightening the pigmentation.

Scar less skin tip: To gradually lighten these blemishes, try over-the-counter products that contain lightening ingredients such as hydroquinone, which is available at pharmacies.

You don't know what to do about those stretch marks

Those silvery lines are one of the last things you'd want to reveal in your bikini. Unfortunately, stretch marks easily develop during pregnancy, periods of rapid weight gain or adolescent growth spurts. Fractures develop in the inner layer of the skin when the skin is stretched beyond its maximum elasticity, hence leading to depressed lines. It may not be possible to completely get rid of stretch marks but early treatment does yield good results. A combination of infrared and radio frequency treatments can help to tighten the skin and to stimulate repair and replacement of collagen. Products such as tretinoin cream prescribed by doctors, and moisturisers containing cocoa butter, can also improve skin texture.

Stretch-mark-free tip: Get your eight glasses of water every day. It keeps skin soft and hydrated so you're less likely to get stretch marks.

Pimples are peeking out from your bikini bottom.

It may be embarrassing but the problem is more common than you think. It is possible to have acne anywhere on the body. Acne on the body is typically more difficult to treat because it tends to be deeper, more stubborn and even painful. It is best to go to your doctor for advice and not self-treat with products meant for the face as they may cause redness and irritation. But for a start, use an antibacterial wash for your body and keep the affected area clean and dry. Once a week, treat your butt to a scrub to remove dead skin and clear congested pores.

Banish-acne tip: Go for loose-fitting bottoms to let skin breathe and prevent build up of moisture and bacteria.

You've got dry, scaly skin.

Long hours spent in air-conditioned spaces, UV damage from the sun, harsh soaps, and smoking all help to strip precious moisture from your skin. Even frequent showers, especially if you like long hot baths, can cause dryness as they break down lipid barriers - the membrane that holds water and oil - it your skin. Moisturise often with products containing ingredients such as vitamin A (retinol) or antioxidants like vitamins C and E to protect and repair skin exposed to pollutants and harmful UV rays.

Get-silky-legs tip: Moisturise from the inside out with multivitamins and omega-3 oil. Avoid diuretics like alcohol and caffeine.