Essential Tips to Lighten Dark Skin on the Knees and Elbows

I have seen women of various skin tones having a problem of dark skin on elbows and knees, while others don't have even a slight dark patch on these body parts. Dark patches on elbows and knees are a common problem, especially among those of Asian or African-American descent.

Is this problem preventing you from flaunting a trendy attire even with a toned body? So, let's understand how to lighten the skin on knees and elbows. But, before we begin, I would like to remind you that no beauty treatment, natural or chemical, can help you get rid of your problem completely unless you devote your time to it religiously everyday.

Heard of the saying, "no pain, no gain"? Well, these treatments to lighten skin on knees and elbows are absolutely painless. They just need your time and dedication.

The skin on your elbows and knees is relatively harder and rougher as compared to the rest of your body. It needs daily intense scrubbing to get rid of dead skin cells which many people tend to ignore and skip. There are no instant results especially when you have to lighten dark patches on skin. So let's begin our little beauty tutorial and learn how to lighten dark skin on knees and elbows. It has some really inexpensive beauty solutions that may surprise you.

Put a mixture of salt and sugar on a wedge of lemon and rub it on dark knees and elbows. Lemon has natural bleaching properties and lightens skin tone, while, salt and sugar help exfoliate and moisturize. Did you know? Salt is an amazing naturally occurring cleaning agent. It helps remove dirt and is also used in toothpaste to encourage teeth whitening.

It is often used in homemade beauty treatments to improve complexion. Brown scrub works as a good natural scrub to remove dead skin cells and also polishes skin by stimulating blood circulation. It is a good source of vitamin B, due to its molasses, which is an antioxidant that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Follow it up with an intense massage of coconut oil. It acts as a nourishing moisturizer for skin and stimulates skin cell turnover.

Meladerm is a skin lightening lotion that has helped many people lighten and improve their complexion. This skin lightener helps remove skin discolorations like dark skin patches, freckles, age spots, tanning, melasma, blemishes, scars and evens out skin tone. Many people swear by its use for quick results. A month's usage of the lotion should show visible improvements. I have heard that the company, Civant Skin Care, even has an ongoing 30-days money back guarantee if the product fails to give results. You can check and purchase your bottle online from their website.

Potatoes have natural anti-blemish properties. It helps diminish the appearance of marks and the best part is, this inexpensive ground vegetable is always readily available in your groceries! I haven't really heard of any household that just doesn't love potatoes.

To use potatoes to lighten dark patches on knees and elbows, just grate a small potato and squeeze out its juice in a bowl. Slightly dampen a cotton swab with water and dip in this juice. Now massage on the dark spots. Refrigerate the remaining juice. Continue with this treatment for 3 months daily to lighten skin.

The skin on your knees and elbows will be many shades lighter. It is an excellent remedy even for other types of blemishes such as acne scars, freckles and sunburn.

Take ½ tsp glycerin, 2 tablespoons milk, ¼ tsp turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon gram flour. Mix everything together and apply this pack everyday for 20 minutes on your dark knees and elbows. Scrub and wash it off later. This is a very good exfoliating pack that will also soften skin. You may substitute milk with yogurt.

It accelerates the bleaching phenomenon of lemon juice and moisturizes as well. You can follow it up with a massage of mustard oil as it helps lighten dark spots on knees and elbows. Also, this oil is enriched with vitamin A, B and E.

Honey is an excellent skin moisturizer. This pack works well to remove blackheads as well. You can even add a bit of turmeric powder to your daily moisturizer and massage before sleeping at night.

Use baking soda or Epsom salts to scrub and lighten your dark knees and elbows. If you are hard-pressed for time, this is a quick one-minute remedy, although results may be visible only after 4-5 months of regular use.

⦿ Avoid leaning on your elbows or kneeling on your knees.
⦿ Do not rest your elbows on the table.
⦿ Always scrub your knees and elbows while having a bath.
⦿ Exfoliate these patches everyday. Invest in a loofah.
⦿ Avoid sun exposure.

⦿ Eat a well-balanced and a healthy diet.
⦿ Avoid wearing rough fabrics like wool and nylon that create friction.
⦿ Use a heavy moisturizer containing vitamin E and A, twice a day.
⦿ Always apply 30+ SPF sunscreen on your dark knees and elbows.
⦿ Use topical ointments such as Tretinoin (Retin-A) or those containing hydroquinone along with DIY glycolic peels at home to lighten dark patches.

The friction caused between the skin and the fabric can further lead to darkening of knees and elbows. It may also cause dark underarms. Consuming certain foods as well as the lack of some vitamins may be triggering the condition. Eat food rich in vitamin A, B12, C and E like pomegranates, carrots, beetroot, apples, fish, broccoli, kale and citrus fruits. Olive oil, avocado oil and jojoba oil are good skin moisturizers. They greatly improve the skin's condition.

Remember, excessive dryness also causes skin darkening. You should also get yourself tested for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes, as they are generally known to cause skin darkening in patients.

Also, do check with your dermatologist if you are suffering from Acanthosis Nigricans, a skin condition that causes dark pigmentation in the folds and joints of the body.

If everything else fails, you can go for beauty treatments like chemical peels and laser skin lightening at your local beauty clinic. In case you want to use medicated skin lightening products, just consult your doctor. You don't have to hide your self behind fully covered clothing. Try these tips to lighten dark spots on knees and elbows and the results will surely boost your self-confidence.