Throughout the day, the skin on the knees often bends and stretches, causing the area to look darker and drier than the skin on the rest of the body. If you have dark knees, try to lighten them with natural scrubs or pastes, or you can buy commercial lotions and creams to treat dry, dark skin. In some cases, dark knees can be a symptom of the disease and you should consult a doctor.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Moisturizing and Exfoliating Knees at Home
Step 1. Make a sugar and olive oil scrub to exfoliate your knee skin
Take a bowl, then mix cup olive oil and white sugar and mix well. Use your hands to rub your knees with the scrub. Do this for about 30 seconds, then let the scrub sit on your knees for about 5 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
Using an exfoliating mixture will help remove dead skin cells, making your skin look brighter
Step 2. Mix baking soda and lemon juice to make a paste that can lighten your skin naturally
Take a small bowl, then add baking soda and lemon juice in equal proportions. Stir until it forms a paste. Rub the paste on your knees with your hands for about 1 minute, then rinse with water.
Baking soda and lemon juice work effectively as natural skin lightening agents for many people and the baking soda granules help exfoliate the skin. Over time, a mixture of the two can help lighten dark skin
Step 3. Apply almond oil on your knees if you want to moisturize your skin without digging too deep into your pocket
Apply 1 tablespoon of almond oil on your knees every night. Make sure you apply the oil evenly, then cover the knee with a cloth or towel and leave it overnight.
Almond oil not only lightens the skin naturally, it also moisturizes the skin thereby reducing dark spots by making the skin more elastic
Step 4. Apply an aloe vera mask if you have scars or sun-damaged knees
Mix cup of plain yogurt with 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel. Use a spatula to apply the mask to your knees and leave it on for 15-30 minutes. After that, rinse your knees with water.
- Several studies have shown that aloe vera can heal scars naturally.
- To extract aloe vera gel from an aloe vera leaf, you simply cut the leaf from the plant and split it in half. After that, use a spoon to scoop out the gel from the leaves.
- If you don't have fresh aloe, you can buy pure aloe at a pharmacy or supermarket.
Step 5. Use a loofah or a rough sponge to rub your knees in the shower
If you don't want to scrub, use a manual exfoliator like a loofah or sponge to remove dead skin cells. You can buy it at a supermarket, pharmacy, or beauty supply store, then use it to wash your body in the shower and rub each knee for at least 30 seconds.
Physical exfoliation with a loofah, sponge, or fine pumice stone is often used to treat the symptoms of psoriasis and other conditions that cause dry skin
Method 2 of 3: Applying Cream and Lotion
Step 1. Apply lotion to the knees daily to reduce dryness of the skin
Apply a moisturizing lotion every morning and evening, paying special attention to the knees. Look for lotions that contain petrolatum, which forms a protective layer on the skin to retain moisture.
- Dry conditions are one of the most common causes of darkening of the skin.
- If you no longer use moisturizer regularly, the dark patches on your knees may return.
Step 2. Use sunscreen every day to protect the skin from the sun and prevent hyperpigmentation
People who have dark skin are more prone to skin damage and scar formation on the knees. Apply sunscreen every morning, especially if you're wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses. Many experts recommend this treatment.
- While it's not easy to treat hyperpigmentation and scars, you can use sunscreen to help prevent the condition from getting worse.
- In some cases, sunscreen can even completely remove dark patches.
Step 3. Apply a bleaching cream or gel containing chemicals to treat your knees
If the dark patches look permanent, buy a whitening cream with 2% hydroxy. For best results, rub the cream on your knees daily for 4-6 weeks.
- If you have sensitive skin, hydroquinone can cause inflammation. If you feel a burning or stinging sensation after applying the cream, rinse your knee immediately with cold water.
- Do not use a whitening cream for more than 6 weeks. These creams can cause irritation and harm the outer layer of the skin. In addition, prolonged use of whitening creams is associated with certain types of cancer.
Method 3 of 3: Addressing the Root of the Problem
Step 1. Increase water intake to improve body fluid balance
If you think dark knees are caused by dry skin, drink more water! As a rule, try to drink at least 2 liters of water per day if you want healthy and glowing skin.
If nothing changes after you increase your water consumption, consider using natural remedies or applying a moisturizer in addition to drinking water
Step 2. Consult a dermatologist to get a diagnosis for pigmentation problems or skin diseases
If you've tried several methods to lighten dark knees, but to no avail, make an appointment with a dermatologist. At the visit, the doctor will examine your knee and diagnose the cause of dark skin in the area.
- Be sure to tell your doctor what method you are trying to get rid of the dark color of the knees.
- Your doctor may be able to explain why the skin on your knee area is darker and offer more effective treatments to lighten the skin.
Step 3. Get tested for diabetes if you have permanent dark patches on your knees
Sometimes, people who have not been diagnosed or do not manage diabetes well will have darker skin in the knee or shin area. If your dark skin problem does not show improvement, ask your doctor to do a diabetes test.
