Tights to 'shrink thighs'

SPA Legcare is “clinically proven” to help slim, energise and moisturise legs, the high street store claims.

The fabric of the technically-advanced hosiery contains millions of microcapsules full of active ingredients which are released on to the skin.

Marine algae and plant extracts of ginkgo biloba in the new “slimming” style help stimulate microcirculation – which is blood flow through tiny blood vessels - increasing blood flow in general and aid detoxification.

Women’s thighs become thinner because the tights help to reduce fluid levels in the skin.

Skin also becomes smoother but a M&S spokesman said the hosiery does not actually reduce cellulite.

Women who tried out the tights for five days had firmer and better looking skin, and two out of three also lost weight from their thighs, according to M&S.

A spokesman said: “This reduction is achieved by reducing and moving the fluid levels in the skin around the thigh and not by promoting weight loss or cellulite reduction, however trial wearers reported an improved firming and smoother appearance of the skin.”

The average thigh reduction was 0.7cm and the highest reduction was 2cm, the spokesman added.

Of 50 women who tried out the tights, 66% saw a reduction in the circumference of their thigh after five days and 90% after 13 days.

Trials were conducted at independent cosmetics house Evic in Paris on women aged between 20 and 65 years old with BMIs between 19-26 who had been a stable weight for more than three months.

Each pair of tights, which cost £5, releases the ingredients for up to 10 wears (with washing) but the first three wears will be the most effective.

“Energising” tights which use the same technology containing anti-oxidants and Vitamin E moisturiser and “moisturising” ones which contain Aloe Vera are also available.