Dark skin on the knuckles can be very difficult to remove. While common knowledge suggests that washing your hands more frequently and using whitening products can help, they can actually irritate the skin and exacerbate the problem of dark skin on the knuckles. To naturally lighten the skin in this area, try exfoliating, moisturizing, and protecting it from the sun. Use vitamin C, kojic acid, niacinamide, or ellagic acid for a brightening effect. If none of these remedies work to lighten your knuckles after a few months, consult your doctor for recommended prescription products.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Home Care and Over-the-counter Products
Step 1. Exfoliate the skin daily
To make a homemade exfoliating scrub, mix sugar and olive oil in equal proportions. Rub this mixture in circular motions on your knuckles for about 5 minutes. After that, clean the mixture with soap and water. After your skin tone looks brighter, do this treatment only once a week.
You can also use exfoliating scrub products available at pharmacies and convenience stores
Step 2. Use moisturizer and sunscreen every day
Although they can't lighten skin tone, these two products can help maintain skin tone while preventing damage. When used in conjunction with other treatments, moisturizer and sunscreen can help keep your knuckles smooth and bright.
Sunscreen can also prevent the skin color of the knuckles from getting darker
Step 3. Avoid washing your hands too often or using whitening products
You've probably heard that your knuckles darken with dirt and can be cleaned by scrubbing your hands more often or using a product that contains bleach. The effect of these treatments is often the opposite of the desired outcome. Washing your hands more often or using abrasive products can actually damage your skin and make your knuckles appear darker.
Step 4. Make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice to make a vitamin-rich treat at home
Mix lemon juice and baking soda in equal proportions to make a thick paste. Apply this paste to the knuckles and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Repeat this treatment every day for a month.
- If the resulting paste is too thick to spread across the knuckles, add more lemon juice. Meanwhile, if the result is too runny, you can add more baking soda.
- Always use a moisturizer after applying lemon juice to the skin.
Step 5. Use a cream containing kojic acid or soy to lighten the skin
Kojic acid is a natural ingredient found in soybeans. Over time, kojic acid can lighten melasma, freckles, and dark spots. Apply a large amount of kojic acid-containing cream on the knuckles 1-2 times a day.
In its natural form, kojic acid is unstable and less effective when exposed to light and air. Therefore, many creams use kojat dipalmitate which is also effective instead
Step 6. Look for products that contain niacinamide for a gentle treatment
Niacinamide is an ingredient that can help reduce dark spots, fine lines, and inflammation of the skin. This material is also generally non-irritating. However, if you experience skin irritation, try using niacinamide along with a moisturizer. The irritation should go away with the use of niacinamide. Apply this cream thinly on the knuckles once a day.
For a more effective solution, look for products that contain niacinamide as well as vitamin C
Step 7. Use ellagic acid as a skin care routine to add antioxidants
Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring substance in red berries such as strawberries and cherries. This ingredient can inhibit melanin-producing enzymes. Look for creams that contain ellagic acid to lighten dark spots. Apply to the skin of your knuckles once a day after washing your hands.
Ellagic acid can also help protect the skin from UV rays
Step 8. Use a cream containing lignin peroxidase for a light brightening effect
Lignin peroxidase is a fairly new product for gently reducing dark spots. Use this cream 2 times a day, only on the dark spot area and avoid sun exposure. After a few months, you may notice that the dark spots are significantly lighter.
In 2019, lignin peroxidase is only available in 1 product, namely NEOVA
Step 9. Take a vitamin B12 supplement if you are not getting it in sufficient amounts from food
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause the joints (including the knuckles) to darken. If you have recently changed your diet to a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Try taking 1 capsule (about 500 micrograms) of vitamin B12 daily to lighten knuckles.
Beef, fish, eggs, and all dairy products are naturally high in vitamin B12
Method 2 of 2: Visiting a Dermatologist
Step 1. See a dermatologist if home remedies don't work for lightening your knuckles
These patches could be a sign of an underlying disease or you may need a stronger lightening product. A dermatologist will provide recommendations according to your particular case.
Be sure to tell your doctor what products and medications you are taking
Step 2. Use prescription skin lightening cream 1-2 times as directed by your doctor
A strong skin lightening cream should be applied with a cotton swab so as not to damage the skin on the fingertips. Apply a thin layer of cream on the knuckle with a cotton swab.
- Avoid touching the skin of the knuckle for several hours after applying the cream.
- In addition to lightening cream, also use sunscreen. Using moisturizer and sunscreen can help reduce skin irritation.
Step 3. Ask if laser treatment is suitable for lightening your skin
Plastic surgeons can remove dark areas of skin with laser treatments. This treatment usually takes 30-60 minutes and after that the skin takes 2 weeks to heal. Your doctor will give you anesthesia before the procedure, but your skin may feel a little sore or sensitive afterward.
- Laser treatment gives results quickly, but is quite expensive and doesn't always work. The cost of this treatment ranges between IDR 200 thousand and IDR 1.5 million, depending on the clinic and the specific procedure you undergo.
- In some people, laser treatment only provides temporary results and their skin darkens again after some time.
- After undergoing laser treatment, a mild tingling effect similar to normal sunburn occurs.
Tips
Be patient. You may only notice a change in skin color after a few weeks or even months of treatment. Getting rid of the dark skin on the knuckles takes a long time
Warning
- Dark skin on the knuckles may be a sign of a serious co-morbidity such as diabetes or prediabetes. If you experience one of them, undergoing treatment for the disease can also remove the dark color of the knuckles.
- Hydroquinone is often used to lighten the skin. However, this ingredient has been controversial and can cause irritation or even more serious complications.
