Article: LEGS TALK: DR PARIS ACHARYA
LEGS TALK: DR PARIS ACHARYA
Renowned aesthetic doctor known for her holistic approach to skin and body confidence, Dr Paris Acharya believes in treating the whole person — not chasing trends or copying looks. Because great legs (and skin) aren’t built overnight.
Kate: Dr. Paris. If there was any advice you could give a 20-year-old about their legs or their skin for the long haul, so future proofing, what would it be?
Dr Paris: So prevention is absolutely key. Start early. Be mindful just of the things that you're doing. So daily rituals. Think about circulation. Your lymphatics. Keep moving. Be kind to your skin. Don't overtreat it. There are so many products around. You need to pick the right product and ensure it's doing what it needs to do for your skin and it's these little daily things that we do in our twenties, which can then pay dividends later on.
Kate: Your philosophy is holistic and science led. How does that pan out in your daily treatment plan with patients and clients?
Dr Paris: So, when people come in to see me, it's very much about the whole person. So, lots of people say this, but I really do get down to absolute basics. So, we look through the medical history, looking at stress factors, sleep, nourishment, exercise. All of these different things, but also looking at hormones and what they play, day-to-day routines, and then considering the skin and what we can do for that lifelong change in the skin. These aren't quick fixes. It's all about how we can improve the skin over a long period of time.
Kate: I was going to ask you about hormones. How do they impact on legs, skin, all those areas? What are the main differences you see with women?
Dr Paris: Hormones, they are literally the silent architects of our life. So there are so many minute changes that they're important for, and we notice key changes during pregnancy. We'll notice changes in circulation. Elasticity of the skin. Perhaps veins becoming more prominent. Then, in perimenopause and menopause as well, you get more laxity. You find that you are getting more water retention and there's so many changes according to that hormonal balance as well.
Kate: It's interesting, a lot of my girlfriends say that they notice certain areas go quicker than others. So, we were talking yesterday actually about tops of arms.
Dr Paris: It's another one. A lot of people have said to me when they're brushing their teeth, they just look in the mirror and they glimpse it and it's certain movements that they see.
Kate: If you could pick one non-invasive treatment for your legs, what would that be?
Dr Paris: I'm going to say something like massage or like compression boots. Something like that to really keep that circulation and lymph going.
Kate: We want to know do you have a leg care routine?
Dr Paris: I do. I love my body brush. So that's something, even if I only have 30 seconds to a minute, it's something I literally whiz through. I use your guys' cupping device as well. Pre-summer, that definitely comes out. So those are the things I tend to do daily. Gentle exfoliants as well. Yeah. I think chemical exfoliants are really good for the legs. They help with Keratosis Polaris and chicken skin.
Kate: Yes, yes. And a lot of people have that, don't they? And it's really great that there's much more awareness about it now.
Kate: So just talking about internal wellness, is there anything particular that you might take that would help with leg shape, skincare? Is there anything that you really rate supplement wise?
Dr Paris: Absolutely. Supplements are key to day-to-day living and us feeling the best we can. There are a few key supplements that I love. Omegas. For hydration. I take a range of supplements as well. So, collagen, there's limited evidence, but I do think it really does help overall with skin, hair, and nails, so it's a good one to take. Vitamin D. Magnesium's great for aching muscles or muscle tone.
Kate: So for instance with either magnesium or collagen, is there any way that you can find the best supplement? The best quality? Is there something, anything to look for?
Dr Paris: I go for a marine collagen. You're looking for the actual particle size of the collagen, because that's what we're going to be absorbing. So it's the smallest particle size. There are a few brands that I rate. So there's Ingenious Collagen, which is fantastic. I also like Vida Glow. But I think there are quite a few brands and it can be overwhelming for patients.
Kate: Now, final question, who is your leg icon?
Dr Paris: Obviously there's the body, Elle Macpherson, she was absolutely amazing. I think that there are so many leg icons, but what I look for are really strong, athletic, elegant legs. So, Gisele. Beyonce.
Kate: Powerful legs.
Dr Paris: Exactly.
