While we’d love it if we all could accept our bodies no matter what, women across America have resorted to drastic methods to shave off that bit of under-arm skin: A new study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) found that in the past decade, “upper arm lifts” have increased by more than 4,000%. Back in 2000, a mere 300 women a year got this procedure, which consists of either liposuction or brachioplasty, where loose skin is sliced from the back of the arms and replaced with a long scar. Last year, more than 15,000 women placed their arms on the chopping block. The patients, who are mostly in their 40s and 50s, have high arm aspirations. According to a poll conducted for the ASPS, they’re gunning for the guns of Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston, and Demi Moore. Those high-profile arms come at a cost of nearly $4,000 per surgery. “Arms have always been a nemesis for women,” says image expert Lauren Solomon, author of Image Matters! First Steps on the Journey to Your Best Self. Luckily, though, some strategic (and non-surgical) dressing can do wonders for your appendages. If you want to cover up: Ditch cap sleeves or other short, tight lengths that cut the arm in two, Solomon said. “Wear a slightly looser sleeve that ends somewhere around the elbow. Just below or just above the elbow is always going to be a super flattering length for a woman’s arm.” If you want to wear a short sleeve: It’s all about the contour, baby. “You may have a softer upper arm, but a great shoulder,” Solomon said. “Try a slightly cutaway shoulder, which then balances the arm.”Sure, hot arms are smoking. But you don’t need to go under the knife to get them. Find out how to master push-ups like the First Lady and try these workouts to sculpt sexy, shapely arms. More from Prevention: 4 Moves to Blast Arm Fat
