10 Natural Tricks to Remove Dark Knees and Elbows

Accumulation of dead skin cells, friction, extensive exposure to sun, or a hormonal imbalance can become the cause of dark knees and elbows. These parts of our body don’t contain any oil glands and it’s important to protect them from dryness through proper care and hygiene.

10. Cucumber

Due to its bleaching properties, cucumber is among the most effective ways to get rid of dark knees and elbows. It removes dead skin cells and keeps your skin moisturized. Vitamins A and C that are present in cucumbers keep the skin beautiful and fresh.

• Gently rub thick slices of cucumber over your elbows and knees for 15 minutes.
• Leave it on for another 5 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water.

You can also mix equal amounts of cucumber juice and lemon juice. Apply the mixture on your knees, elbows, and also underarms. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse it off. Do this on a daily basis.

9. Lemon and baking soda

Lemon is an excellent skin lightening ingredient. It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamin C which promote skin regeneration and improve skin complexion. Baking soda acts as a gentle and effective cleanser for whitening dark areas of skin.

• Take a lemon and cut it into 2 halves.
• Sprinkle 1 tbsp of baking soda on top of the lemon.
• Rub your elbows and knees for 1 minute.
• Let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash off with warm water.

Repeat once every 2 days for a desired effect.

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8. Aloe Vera and milk

Aloe Vera contains substances that help to moisturize your skin and improve uneven skin tone. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The combination of Aloe Vera and milk is a simple and useful way to lighten your skin naturally.

• Mix equal amounts of milk and Aloe Vera gel and apply the mixture to your skin.
• Leave it on overnight and then wash it off the next morning.

Alternatively, you can extract the gel from the Aloe Vera leaf and apply it to your knees and elbows. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then wash it off with warm water.

7. Potato

Potato is rich in catecholase enzymes that can naturally lighten your skin tone. Daily usage of potato will soften your skin and help you get rid of dark areas.

• Grate the potato, squeeze out the juice, and apply it to your skin.
• Leave it on your skin for 15 minutes, then rinse it with water.
• Apply a moisturizer.

You can also rub your elbows and knees with a potato cut into slices for about 10-15 minutes and then wash off.

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6. Turmeric

Turmeric is the most natural remedy remove impurities and dead skin cells from your knees and elbows without any side effects. It contains a compound called curcumin which reduces and regulates the excess production of melanin responsible for dark complexions.

• Mix some turmeric powder with 1 tsp of milk.
• Apply it to the knees and elbows.
• Massage for a few minutes and leave it to dry naturally.
• Rinse it with warm water.

You can add a bit of honey to the mixture for a better effect.

5. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamin E that help to repair dark and damaged skin.

• After each shower or bath apply coconut oil to the affected areas.
• Massage gently for 2-3 minutes until the oil is absorbed into the skin.

You can also add 1/2 tsp of fresh lemon juice to 1 tsp of coconut oil and gently massage your knees and elbows for a few minutes.

4. Honey

Honey acts as a natural moisturizer. In combination with lemon it can work wonders on your skin.

• Mix 2 tbsp honey, the juice of half a lemon, and 1 tsp baking soda.
• Apply the mixture over the darkened areas.
• Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes and wash off.

Honey also works well with milk and Aloe Vera. You can combine 1 tbsp of honey with 1 tsp of milk and 1 tbsp of Aloe Vera gel. Apply the paste to your skin, leave it for 15 minutes, and rinse it off with warm water.

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3. Sugar and olive oil

  

A homemade scrub made from sugar and olive oil will nourish, hydrate, and remove dead cells from your skin.

• Combine equal amounts of sugar and olive oil to make a fine mixture.
• Apply it to knees and elbows and massage in circular motions for about 5 minutes.
• Repeat this on a weekly basis.

This scrub can also be used to cleanse your face. Just make sure to not rub too hard, as it may hurt your skin.

2. Oatmeal scrub

Along with having a lot of benefits for health, oatmeal is another effective way to have a flawless skin tone. You will need lemon juice, oatmeal, and salt.

• Mix the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/2 tbsp oatmeal, and a pinch of salt.
• Apply the scrub in circular motions to your knees and elbows for 10-15 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water.
• Repeat this process 3-4 times a week to achieve the best results.

You can also combine 2 tbsp oatmeal with 2 tsp of milk and message the dark areas for 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with water. It will make your skin feel soft, smooth, healthy, and radiant.

1. Vinegar and yogurt

The rich content of acetic acid in vinegar and lactic acid in yogurt will help to cleanse your knees and elbows and reveal glowing skin.

• Mix 1 tbsp of yogurt and 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar.
• Apply this mixture on your skin.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off with warm water.
• Repeat this procedure 3-4 times a week.

Another easy way to lighten your skin is to mix apple cider vinegar with some water and apply it to your elbows and knees with cotton balls. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off.

Do you know any other effective skin lightening tips? Feel free to share them with us in the comments!

Why do I have dark underarms? See Reasons

Dark underarms have been an embarrassing problem, both for men and women alike. But do you know the reasons why there can be a discoloration in the armpit area?

Here are some reasons that may answer the question “Why do I have dark underarms?”

1. Shaving

If your armpit hair is darker than the color of your skin, then shaving can cause dark underarms. Shaving only cuts the hair off at the surface of your skin. This darkness is due to the hair follicles that are just below the surface of your skin. Shaving may also cause itching if a sharp razor is not used. Shaving too much will lead to skin hardening and skin darkening because of the irritation and abrasions caused.

Waxing unwanted hair is a better alternative to switch to if you think shaving is causing your underarms to look dark. Waxing gets rid off the hair right from the roots, making the darkness less visible.

2. Deodorants And Antiperspirants

Deodorants and antiperspirants sure does protect the body from bad odor. But, these also contain chemicals that may be harmful for the skin causing it to be dark.

Using mild deodorants or following natural remedies may help fight body odor. The best and commonly used natural remedy is applying baking soda to your underarms. This will avoid the exposure to harsh chemicals found in deodorants.

3. Accumulation Of Dead Skin Cells

Dead cells are formed all over our body and accumulates on the surface of our skin. The underarms are no exception to this. Accumulation of dead skin cells around the underarms may be another reason for darkness in the area.

Exfoliating the underarms is a good practice to avoid the accumulation of the dead skin cells.

See also: 12 natural remedies to get rid of dark underarm

4. Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a common, often harmless, condition where certain spots on the skin appear darker than the surrounding skin. This is due to the excess melanin – the pigment that gives color to the skin – that forms deposits on the skin.

If you feel that the darkening of your underarms is due to hyperpigmentation, then it is best to consult a dermatologist and follow the prescribed medication if any.

5. Friction Caused By Tight Clothes

Underarms are sensitive areas and wearing tight clothing can cause friction between the cloth and your skin. This can cause discoloration.

It is always better to wear clothes that are not tight near sensitive areas. Wearing loose clothes, especially after underarms are waxed, is advised.

6. Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans is the medical term for darkened, thickened patches of skin that usually develop in the armpit and around the groin and neck. You’ll have thickened, brownish-grey or black patches of skin. These patches may occur anywhere, but are usually seen around the neck, in the armpit, around the groin, and sometimes in other skin folds. This medical condition is usually a sign of obesity, diabetes, or abnormal hormone levels.

Always consult a doctor to know what steps you can take to treat this condition. With proper guidance, this discoloration may be controlled.

7. Bacterial Infection

Our underarms are a perfect home for bacteria to dwell in. Excessive sweating can be the cause of bacteria being trapped in the skin in the underarms. The bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum causes excessive sweating and the least serious problem is body odor. However, this can also cause a chronic infection in the deeper layers of the skin called erythrasma.

A visit to the doctor will help you if you think bacteria is causing darkness in your underarms.

8. Smoker’s Melanosis

Smoker’s Melanosis is a condition that results from tobacco smoking. In this case, hyperpigmentation is caused by smoking. The underarms will have dark patches as long as smoking continues.

Smoker’s Melanosis can be treated first by quitting the habit of smoking. Not only will it help in reducing the darkness in your underarms, you will be quitting a bad habit that harms other parts of the body, too.

9. Melasma

Melasma is a common skin problem. It is usually seen as dark patches on the skin. It appears mostly on those parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. Women are more likely to get melasma than men. This is also common during pregnancy because the hormones during this period seem to trigger melasma in women.

The most common treatment is applying sun protection on the skin at regular intervals. If it does not seem to fade, visit a doctor and follow the steps to recover from this skin problem

10. Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease is caused when the adrenal gland is damaged. One of the symptoms of this is disease is darkening of the skin or hyperpigmentation.

Other symptoms of this disease include extreme fatigue, weight loss and decreased appetite, low blood pressure (even fainting), salt craving, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pains, irritability, depression, body hair loss, or sexual dysfunction in women.

It can affect people of any age, although it’s most common between the ages of 30 and 50. It’s also more common in women than men.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to visit the doctor and follow the steps to treat Addison’s disease.

Now that you know the reasons for your dark underarms, there is one important bit that has to be taken care of at all times.

Always make sure that you keep your body clean. It is important to shower at least once a day and stay hygienic.