Top 9 Natural Tricks to Remove Dark Knees and Elbows

Do you hesitate while wearing sleeveless dresses and shorts? Are your elbows and knees  darker in comparison to the rest of your body?  Don’t worry; this is just because of the accumulation of dead skin cells and extra melanin in your body. 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.Instead of hiding your knees and elbows behind clothes, why don’t you work towards getting rid of the dark/dead skin?

Causes Of Dark Knees And Elbows

·   Accumulation of dead skin cells on the affected area

·   Exposure to the sun, resulting in hyperpigmentation

·   Birth control pills

·   Pregnancy, which may cause melasma / dark spots

·   Age spots, Freckles

·   Genetics

·   Friction

·   Dry skin

·   Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema

·   Inflammation or bruising from a previous injury

·   Hormonal imbalances

Here are top 11 most effective, wonderful home remedies to lighten your elbows and knees.

1. Lemon & Baking soda

Lemon is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C which promote skin regeneration and improve skin complexion. Baking soda has exfoliating and skin-lightening properties.

Method:

1.    Take a lemon and cut it into 2 halves.

2.        Sprinkle 1 tbsp of baking soda on top of the lemon.

3.        Rub your elbows and knees for 1 minute.

4.        Let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash off with warm water.

5.        Apply a moisturizer.

6.        Do this twice a week.

2. Gram flour & Yogurt

Gram flour exfoliates and removes the dead skin cells on your knees and elbows While yogurt removes sun tan, dark spots, lightens the skin tone and also moisturize it .

Method:

1.        Mix 2 tablespoons gram flour , 1-2 tablespoons yogurt

2.        Apply this paste on the elbows and knees and let it dry.

3.        Remove this with water using circular motions to scrub the mixture off your knees  and elbow.

4.        Apply a moisturizer.

5.        Do this every alternate day.

3. Honey, Lemon & Sugar

Honey heals your skin naturally. Lemon has skin-lightening properties. Sugar is known for its exfoliating properties. Hence, this remedy is perfect for treating dark elbows and knees.

Method:

1.        Mix 1 lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of honey

2.      Add a tablespoon each of sugar and honey to it.

3.      Mix well and gently scrub your elbows and knees for 1 minutes

4.        Leave it on your skin for about 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

5.      Apply a moisturizer.

6.      You can do this once every alternate day.

4. Turmeric and Milk

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

Method:

1.      Mix some turmeric powder with 1 tsp of milk.

2.      Apply it to the knees and elbows.

3.      Massage for a few minutes and leave it to dry naturally.

4.      Rinse it with luke warm water.

5.      Apply a moisturizer.

6.      Do this 2-3 times a weak.

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

5. Potato

Potato is rich in catecholase enzymes that can naturally lighten your skin tone. It has natural bleaching properties that helps to lighten up your dark knees and elbows.

Method:

1.      Grate the potato, squeeze out the juice / cut the potato into slices

2.      Apply it to your elbows and knees

3.      Leave it on your skin for 15 minutes, then rinse it with water.

4.      Apply a moisturizer.

5.      Do this remedy once daily for best results.

6. Olive oil & Sugar

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

Method:

1.      1 tablespoon of white or brown sugar

2.      1 tablespoon of olive oil ( preferably cold pressed olive oil)

3.      Mix & apply it to knees and elbows and gently rub in circular motions for about 1 minutes.

4.      Repeat this on a weekly basis.

5.      This scrub can also be used to cleanse your face. Just make sure to rub gently otherwise it may hurt your skin.

6.      You can do this 2 to 3 times a week.

7. Cucumber

Vitamins A and C that are present in cucumbers keep the skin beautiful, fresh and moisturized. It sooths your skin and lighten the darker area as well.

Method:

1.      Gently rub thick slices of cucumber over your elbows and knees for 15 minutes.

2.     Leave it on for another 5 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water.

3.     Apply a moisturizer.

4.     Do this once daily or every alternate day.

8. Aloevera

Aloe Vera contains aloin, a compound that has depigmenting properties that help to moisturize your skin and improve uneven skin tone.Aloe Vera with milk is a simple and useful way to lighten your skin naturally.

Method:

1.     1 tbsp of honey, 1 tsp of milk , 1 tbsp of Aloe Vera gel.

2.     Apply the paste to your skin

3.     Leave it for 15 minutes

4.     Rinse it off with warm water.

5.     Apply a moisturizer.

6.     Do this once daily or every alternate day.

9. Pumice stone

Exfoliating your knees and elbows using a pumice stone helps in removing the dark, dead skin cells.

Method:

1.     Take a shower with luke warm water.

2.     Gently scrub the knees and elbows using a pumice stone in circular motions for 1 minute.

3.     Rinse with cool water.

4.     Apply a moisturizer.

5.     Scrub your knees and elbows two to three times in a week.

Tips To Prevent Further Darkening Of Skin

·   The harsh UV rays of the sun make your elbows & knees darker. Always apply sunscreen on your knees when you step out.

·   Moisturize your elbows knees regularly.

·   Have a diet rich in vitamin antioxidant, fiber, vitamin A and E. Vitamin A-rich foods include sweet potatoes, carrots, lettuce, dried apricots, etc. Vitamin E-rich foods include almonds, cooked spinach, etc.

·   Do not randomly lean on your knees often as this creates friction, and the result is dark knees.

Other Treatments

If you don’t see results within a couple of months, consult with your dermatologist.   Dermatologist may prescribe medications that contain skin-lightening agents like

·   Hydroquinone

·   Lipo-hydroxy acid

·   Kojic acid

·   Licorice

For more severe cases of hyperpigmentation, dermatologist may even suggest to undergo laser treatments.

Even though these treatments may give faster results, but keep them aside for your last way out.

Nature has so many things to gift us. Stick to a solid skin care plan & natural homemade tips provided in this post. Being consistent with these remedies is the key to solving your problem.

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