You may not think about your upper arms until you feel bumpy skin or see droopy skin in the mirror.  Your neck and shoulder pain can even be aggravated by muscle tension in your upper arms.  Here are some secrets for sleeker upper arms;

• Exfoliate - the little bumps on your upper arms are called keratosis pilaris, which is caused by the hair follicle getting plugged up by dry, dead skin cells that accumulate.  This is usually more prevalent after winter, when we wear tighter clothes that cause more heat build-up.  Use a good exfoliator twice per week.  This can be a loofah sponge, body brush, homemade or store bought exfoliating product. 
  
• Moisturize - follow each exfoliation and all showers with a non-comedogenic (non-clogging) moisturizer applied to damp skin.
• Facial for your arms -  During your massage or facial, I can use a professional yet gentle peel to help loosen the accumulated dead skin, giving you a clean slate before home care.
  
• Tricep exercises.  Tone the muscles under the arms called triceps.  Light weights or the classic push ups work wonders if you're consistent.  
• Massage - massage applied directly to the upper arm helps by increasing circulation, helping muscles tone up and skin look better.  Many of the muscles of the upper arm attach to the shoulder blade, and when they're tight, cause excess pressure on the shoulder and neck muscles.  Make sure you tell me about any neck discomfort so I can address this by checking muscles in the arm as well as the neck and shoulder.
  

Is lying face down on the massage table causing you nasal stuffiness?  Can't lie on your stomach because of a recent abdominal procedure?  Large or swollen breasts causing discomfort in a face down position?  Feeling like the massage doesn't reach that hard to get muscle in your neck, shoulder, back or hip?  There is another way! 

Your massage can be performed while you lay on your side on a specially-designed set of pillows called bolsters.  Although this is typically used for prenatal massage, it has lots of applications for your comfort.  Many people report feeling more comfortable and relaxed in the fetal position that the bolstering system creates.  This position also allows me to get access to different angles of troublesome, chronic muscle patterns.

So next time you have a massage, consider this option.  There isn't any extra cost for this type of positioning.  Its just important that you are comfortable.