Hyperpigmentation is common in certain areas of the body, like the elbows and knees. While darkened skin is usually not a sign of an underlying condition, some still feel bad about it for aesthetic reasons. What are some ways on how to treat dark knees and elbows?
How To Treat Dark Knees and Elbows with Natural Ingredients
A build-up of dead skin cells, friction, or too much sun exposure, can darken your knees and elbows. If you want to lighten them using natural ingredients, you might want to consider the following.
1. Vinegar and Yogurt
The abundant content of acetic acid in vinegar and lactic acid in yogurt might help brighten the skin¹, ².
Procedure:
- Put 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a bowl, mix well.
- Apply this mixture on the dark areas of the knees and elbows.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
- Repeat this process 3-4 times/week.
Here’s another simple way on how to treat dark knees and elbows with apple cider vinegar:
- Dilute apple cider vinegar with a little water.
- Dip a cotton pad in the solution.
- Place cotton on the darkened skin and let it sit for about 15 minutes. You can use gauze to fix the cotton pad.
- Rinse with warm water.
2. Honey and Lemon
Honey is not just a good moisturizer; it’s also an exfoliating agent, which can get rid of dead skin cells that may result in dull complexion. Lemon, on the other hand, may have acids that may help whiten the skin.
Procedure:
- Put 2 tablespoons of honey and the juice of half a lemon in a bowl. Mix well.
- Apply the above mixture to the darkened areas of the knees and elbows.
- Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes and wash it off.
3. Sugar and Coconut Oil
Dead skin cells on the surface of the skin may cause it to darken, that’s why exfoliation is a crucial step on how to treat dark knees and elbows. If you find exfoliating products on the market expensive and harsh, you can make your own scrub at home with sugar and coconut oil³. This mixture will help remove dead cells and nourish your skin.
Procedure:
- Mix 1 cup sugar and ½ cup coconut oil together.
- Apply the mixture evenly on the knees and elbows, massage in a circular motion on the skin for about 5 minutes
- Repeat regularly every week.
You can also use this mixture to exfoliate your face. However, you should be careful not to scrub too hard because it can damage your facial skin.
4. Turmeric
Using turmeric may also be an effective way to treat dark knees and elbows. Turmeric powder contains curcumin, a compound that helps reduce and regulate the overproduction of melanin, an agent that causes skin darkening⁴.
Procedure:
- Mix some turmeric powder with 1 teaspoon of milk to make a paste.
- Apply evenly on knees and elbows.
- Massage for a few minutes and let it dry naturally.
- Clean with warm water.
You can also add a little honey to the above mixture for better effect.
5. Coconut Oil
Another way on how to treat dark knees and elbows is through coconut oil alone. It contains a lot of essential fatty acids and vitamin E that help restore dark and damaged skin.
Procedure:
- After each bath, apply a little coconut oil to areas of dry or dark skin.
- Gently massage for 2-3 minutes until the oil is absorbed into the skin.
You can also mix half a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice with a teaspoon of coconut oil, then gently massage your knees and elbows for a few minutes. Doing so may help you achieve brighter and smoother knee and elbow skin.
With these simple ways on how to treat dark knees and elbows, you don’t need to spend too much money on cosmetics. However, always be cautious! Perform patch testing first to see if you don’t react well to the ingredients. Also, don’t hesitate to visit a dermatologist for your skincare concerns.
Finally, note that skin irritation, friction, and sun exposure darken the skin. Hence, make it a point to protect the skin from unnecessary friction and sun exposure.
Learn more about Skin Care and Cleansing here.
