People shop for a bathing suit with more care than they do a husband or wife. The rules are the same.
Look for something you'll feel comfortable wearing. Allow for room to grow.
Erma Bombeck

Summer is quickly approaching .that bittersweet time of year that makes us want to spend our days by the pool in our swimsuits. Then comes the dread of having to expose what's been hidden under layers of clothing all winter long. Sometimes, the dread comes from having to see others expose what they've been hiding all winter long .and maybe should've kept hidden.

Well .fear not. Start shaving those legs above your knees, because you, along with all of your confidence, will be heading out to the pool! Images AZ will help you make the most of what you have to work with this summer.

Suits in History

In the early 1800's, people began to flock to the beaches for seaside amusement. With the mass exodus from city life to rural and suburban existence, especially after the introduction of railroads, ocean side beaches became even more popular for people looking to spend quality time away from their jobs, and with their family.

Along with this new pastime came a need for stylish garments for the privileged lady of fashion. In the early Victorian era women had worn serge or dark flannel bathing dresses, but by the 1860s two piece belted costumes replaced the earlier styles. The top was jacket-like and the bottom part three quarter trousers, which had been rejected only a decade earlier when Amelia Bloomer urged women to adopt them. The swimsuit outfit was still cumbersome, but was more practical and more attractive than earlier bathing clothes.

Edwardian swimsuits were very similar to Victorian styles. They were still made of bloomers and wool over dress. The dress was a sleeveless version of the Victorian dress and was worn with black stockings and laced footwear.

The following quote was taken from "The Ladies' and Gentlemen's Etiquette: A Complete Manual of the Manners and Dress of American Society" in 1877:

"A bathing dress is best made of flannel. A soft gray tint is prettiest, as it does not so soon fade and grow ugly from contact with the salt water. It may be trimmed with bright worsted braid. The best form is the loose sacque or the yoke waist, both of them to be belted in and falling about midway between the knee and the ankle. Full trousers gathered into a band at the ankle, an oilskin cap to protect the hair, which becomes harsh in the salt water, and merino socks the color of the dress complete the costume. Any other material than flannel becomes limp and unsightly after being worn for a short time."

By 1920, necklines were lowered and the overdress shortened even more - which was considered quite scant for the time. In 1920, Elite Styles Magazine proclaimed, "The new bathing suits are gay little creations that attempt to make up in elegance what they lack in yardage .(we) concern ourselves now more with the subject of materials than with aught else."

During the 1920s, black silk remained the "bathing robe" fabric of choice, followed closely by taffeta and satin. The bodices of the bathing dresses were exact duplications of evening dresses - backless backs, décolleté front, sleeve elimination, and waistlines marked by broad girdles frequently with fringed ends.

As the years progressed, suits became shorter, showing more and more skin. By the time the 1970s rolled around, string bikinis, crocheted and otherwise, and the "barely there" look was in style. 2006 gives us a modern, sexy look without putting all of your parts on exhibition. Read on to find out more about this season!

The Modern Maillot

First of all, the best bathing suit is the one that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. Of course, there are some common sense limitations. Just because you FEEL as though you're 25, chances are that if you've had four children and your 20s are a distant memory, no one wants to see you in a thong, even if it does make you feel beautiful. That is not to say that because you've given birth, or you're over 25, you face a future filled with large, skirted granny-print bathing suits and cover-ups. Just know yourself, your body, minimize flaws, and dress with style and grace. And for men, there's only one rule: no Speedos!

Nordstrom's has a great swimwear selection this year (see our models in St. John's collection.) The colors this season tend to be natural earth tones, with a few well-done pastels suits. Though, neutral colors don't translate to boring. These suits are sophisticated and sexy - the finer touches include a bit of shimmer, metal hardware (see pastel bikini with silver, turquoise-studded hoop,) and elegant embroidery.

Cover ups are important, and there are some adorable ones out there this season (see the sarong that coordinates with the two piece taupe suit.) When choosing your cover up, make sure that it compliments your body, as well as your suit.

I Want to Soak Up the Sun

We've all done it .slathered on the coconut dark tanning oil that may as well have been frying grease and sunbathed in the hopes of emerging from the pool or beach as a dark, exotic goddess. Many people agree - a tan gives you a healthy, attractive glow, while minimizing and disguising a number of imperfections .but at what cost?

We now know that there is no such thing as a "healthy tan." The sun can cause second and third degree burns, and even skin cancer. Exposure should be limited and avoided especially during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or when basking poolside where the reflection from the water can increase the chance of a burn.

The smarter, safer way to obtain that healthy looking glow without the harmful UV rays is to visit a tanning salon like Planet Beach (3668 W. Anthem Way #B154, 551-6871) or Aloha Sunshine and Smoothies (next to Safeway on Anthem Way, 551-3930.) Why replace one type of tan with another, you ask, especially when we live in Arizona ?

Because the tanning salon offers gradual, monitored and controlled exposure to the UV rays that cause you to tan, as opposed to the unmonitored and uncontrolled act of tanning poolside. These tanning salons have large, comfortable, air-conditioned beds in private rooms that are operated by trained staff.

Don't want to deal with the UV rays at all? One of the hottest services out there right now is Mystic Tan - a spray on solution that allows you to towel off right after being sprayed with a fine mist and go home (or to a party, wedding, prom, or graduation) looking as though you'd been kissed by the sun.

Planet Beach owner, Dawn Mougel, describes the process: "Our trained staff helps our customer select the right shade for them, and then the customer stands on a negatively charged metal plate, while the positively charged tanning mist is sprayed. It's all automated, and distributed very evenly." The Mystic Tan lasts about a week.

Another "tanning" option that can be used at home is the self-tanners on the market. These are not the self-tanners you remember from the 1980's .you know, the ones that made you look like an "Oompa Loompa" from Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory and left the tell tale orange streaks on the palms of your hand. No, these are the new generation of self-tanners and body bronzers. Clinique's self tanning line is amazing. In fact, they not only have self tanning lotion and mousse for the face and body, but they also offer a great quality new sun protection line that is UV-activated - the protection increases as the sun intensifies. "Body Bling" is the hottest body enhancing lotion on the market this season, due in no small part to the fact that it's the single favorite product of its creator, Scott Barnes. Barnes is a makeup artist to the stars .Jennifer Lopez, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Anniston, and those are just a few of his well-known clients. He recently brought his "Body Bling" to the general market .the same product he used on Sheryl Crow for her "Soak Up the Sun" video, and on Jennifer Anniston for her recent sun-kissed look on the cover of a major magazine. "Body Bling" is a moist, shimmering body lotion that wears all day. It comes in two shades: Platinum and Original (which is darker.) The product is a fun body makeup for people who want a gorgeous color and shimmer for their skin, but don't want the commitment of a self tanner. Body Bling is normally sold at Nordstrom's, Victoria Secret, and Maria Martin (her newest location is at Biltmore Fashion Park on Camelback Road .) Alas, the manufacturer is back ordered on the Platinum Bling because of the overwhelming demand for this product. Keep checking these stores, though. Even at $48 per bottle, it is well worth it!

Turning Back the Clock

As time marches on, it usually marches across our face, hands, legs, and arms. Thankfully, we have doctors like Dr. Ralph J. Luciana to help us mitigate some of those effects.

Dr. Ralph J. Luciani D.O., M.S., Ph.D, M.D. (H) has authored a book and numerous research publications, lectures at numerous universities, has served as the Air Force medical liaison for the space shuttle program through NASA, and is frequently invited as a guest on radio talk shows. He performs Botox facial reshaping, collagen therapy, Mesotherapy Body Sculpting, Titan Tissue Tightening, Laser Anti-Aging, Hair Removal, and Vein Removal, along with a number or other services that will improve the way you look and feel. Of course, as with many procedures and treatments that improve one's appearance, they can be overused and abused. It is always a good thing to arm oneself with common sense and good judgment.

One of the newest, most popular treatments is the Titan Treatment. Dr. Luciani explains the reason for Titan's popularity, "So many people can benefit from the tissue tightening. It can be used to tighten skin on your face, arms, abdomen, and legs." One of the best things about this "miracle" treatment is that it's non-invasive, which translates to no surgery, recovery time, or injections.

The Titan Tissue Tightening uses a safe, infrared light to heat the dermis (skin) well below the skin's surface. This heating causes immediate collagen contraction. During the procedure, the skin's surface (epidermis) is protected through continuous cooling with the Titan handpiece. New collagen growth results in further tightening after the procedure. The bottom line is a more youthful complexion with less lines, folds, or looseness of the skin.

Mesotherapy, another service provided by Dr. Luciani, has been called "the intelligent alternative to liposuction." Mesotherapy consists of multiple micro injections into the skin's mesoderm in a medically-determined matrix pattern. The therapy targets fat cells and cellulite.

For more information on any of the treatments listed above, feel free to contact the office. Southwest Integrative and Aesthetic Medicine has locations in Albuquerque , New Mexico (10601 Lomas NE , Ste 103 ; 1-505-298-5995) and Glendale , Arizona ( 1530 W. Glendale Ave. ; 602-242-4024.)

You're So Vein

Many women spend a great deal of worry, time, and energy on hiding their spider veins (small broken veins on the surface of the leg) and more painful, obvious veins such as varicose veins (large, bulging veins that run deeper in the leg) while at the pool.

There is a group of vascular surgeons right here in Anthem who offer all of the "latest and greatest" vein therapies and procedures. General & Vascular Surgeons, P.C. is located in the Lincoln Medical Plaza ( 19636 N. 27 th Ave. Ste. 204 , Phoenix ; Main office: (623) 434-7373)

Ilana West, M.D., Scott Hillmann, M.D., and Sebastian Lopez, M.D. are working on making the landscape of Anthem more beautiful this summer .one leg at a time.

A quick fix for your spider veins that are so little, but cause so much embarrassment is "sclerotherapy." "Sclerotherapy usually takes about 3 to 4 treatments (about 45 minutes per session) and costs $250 per session," explains Anne Hillmann, Practice Manager. Sclerotherapy is a procedure whereby a strong solution is injected into the veins, causing inflammation of the walls of the vein. Over the next few weeks to a month the veins disappear.

Of course, the more serious your veins are, the more involved the procedures are to get rid of them. But even when it comes to addressing varicose veins, in many cases stripping the veins has been replaced by a procedure called "VNUS Closure" which causes a lot less pain, downtime, and is even done on an outpatient basis.

There are also things one may do to mitigate their vein issues, such as performing "non-jarring" exercise, such as swimming, and elevating the legs higher than the heart for periods throughout the day. Hillmann also notes that if a patient is overweight, losing weight can be helpful as it puts less pressure on the veins. Pregnancy and heredity also affect a patient's likelihood to develop varicose veins. A big relief for the summer months - and so little pain and effort!

Taking drastic measures to attempt to attain some picture of "perfection" that you're trying to live up to is out. Taking care of yourself, eating right, exercising, and doing the best with what you've been given is definitely in! Above all else, get out, have a great time by the pool, enjoy your family and friends. With these guidelines, your Summer 2006 will go swimmingly!

What's Hot, What's Not? Hot: Sexy swimwear Not: Barely there swimwear Hot: Sunless, temporary tanning (see article for more information) Not: Sunbathing until you fry. Hot: Non-invasive, quick, pick-me-up procedures to enhance your appearance Not: Plastic surgery Hot: Laser hair removal Not: Dilapidations, waxing, tweezing