We often experience that the skin on your elbows and knees is relatively harder and rougher as compared to the rest of your body. Dark patches on the elbows and knees are a common problem that everyone is facing. It requires intense scrubbing to abolish dead skin cells which many people tend to ignore and skip. For many women, it becomes difficult or embarrassing to wear a sleeveless top or dress that emphasizes dark elbows. In addition, dark knees also keep you away from shorts and skirts. Many times we care only for the skin on arms and face, the elbow part often gets neglected.
However, there are no instant results are possible to lighten dark patches on your elbows and knees. Unhealthy diet, poor eating habits and lack of certain vitamins may be triggering the condition. So, try to consume food rich in vitamin A, C, E and B12 like carrots, beetroot, apples, fish, pomegranates, broccoli, kale, citrus fruits and so on. Jojoba oil, avocado and olive oil are also considering good skin moisturizers. These foods greatly improve the skin condition. One fact should also be considered that excessive dryness also causes skin darkening.
In addition, you should also get yourself tested for polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes, as they are mainly responsible for skin darkening in patients. The list of tips and natural remedies mention below will help you lighten the dark patches on your knees and elbows.
TIPS TO PREVENT DARKENING OF THE SKIN
- Avoid resting on your elbows and kneeling on your knees
- Daily scrub your elbows and knees while taking bath
- Avoid sun exposure
- Take a well-balanced and healthy diet
- Do not keep or rest your elbows on the table.
- Make use of exfoliating brush or loofah
- Make use of sunscreen lotion while going out in the sun
- Apply good quality moisturizer twice in a day that contains vitamin A and E
- Apply aloe vera gel on the dark patches
- Apply any natural oil such as coconut, sesame or olive oil on the affected areas to lighten the skin
- Simply use pumice stone to remove the dead skin while taking bath
NATURAL REMEDIES TO GET RID OF DARK ELBOWS AND KNEES
1) Milk and baking soda:-
Baking soda is very useful in cleaning the skin and reducing darkening of the skin. Take 1 tbsp of baking soda and add some milk with it. Then apply this paste on knees and elbows and scrub it in circular motion. Follow this remedy once every two days until you notice changes in the color.
2) Olive oil and sugar:-
Mix olive oil and sugar in equal quantities to make a thick paste, then apply the paste on dark elbows and knees. Rub the skin using this paste for 5 minutes. Finally wash using mild soap and water.
3) Honey and lemon juice:-
Lemon juice contains rich source of vitamin C and citric acid. Thus, it is quite beneficial for lightening the skin. Take some lemon juice and rub it daily on the affected areas. Slowly and gradually you will notice the results. Another option is that, take the juice of 1 lemon and add 1 tbsp of honey to it. Apply the mixture on the struck areas and leave for 20 minutes then wash the mixture with water to get the lightened skin.
4) Tomato juice, honey and turmeric:-
Turmeric powder and honey contains antiseptic properties. Honey is beneficial for moisturizing the dry skin. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C and A nutrients. Hence, make a paste of all these natural ingredients and apply on the dark areas to get rid of dark patches on elbows and knees.
5) Potatoes:-
Potatoes holds anti-blemish properties and a good source of skin lightening enzymes, It helps to decrease the appearances of the mark. The best part is that, it is inexpensive and easily available in your kitchen. Take 1 potato and squeeze out its juice in a bowl. Simply apply that on dark patches by adding little bit water and remaining put in refrigerator and next day apply the same. Follow this remedy for 3 month daily to lighten skin. Another option is that, simply put a potato slice and rub it to your knees and elbows, follow this treatment daily. However, within a few days only you will see the fair skin.
6) Milk, turmeric powder, gram flour and glycerin:-
Take 1 tbsp of gram flour, ¼ tbsp of turmeric powder, 2 tbsp milk and ½ tbsp glycerin. Mix all these ingredients together and apply this pack daily for 20 minutes on the affected areas. Finally scrub and wash. It is a good exfoliating pack that will definitely soften your rough skin. Another option is that substitute yogurt with milk. It stimulates the bleaching phenomenon of lemon juice and moisturizes as well. Massage of mustard oil is also a great way to lighten the dark spots on knees and elbows. Mustard oil includes high content of vitamin A, B and E.
7) Turmeric, gram flour and rose water:-
Take turmeric powder and gram flour in equal quantity then add some rose water to it. Apply the paste on dark patches for making it glowing and white.
8) Papaya:-
The papain content present in papaya is quite effective and acts as skin cleansing enzyme that helps to overcome dark elbows and knees. Simply take a slice of papaya and rub it to your skin. However, the nutrients present in papaya will help you to lighten your knees as well as elbows and make your skin beautiful.
9) Yogurt and vinegar:-
Apply a mixture of vinegar and yogurt on the dark elbows and knees and leave until it get dry. This is quite effective and useful home remedy as it reduces the dark color of the skin and moisturize the skin.
10) Apply Shea and cocoa butter:-
These are the natural fats and acts as a good moisturizer. They not only help to make the skin soft but also reduce the darkness caused by dry and flaky skin. So, apply Shea and cocoa butter on the dark patches every night before going to bed to get rid of dark elbows and knees.