Sun exposure and the buildup of dead skin cells can cause the skin on your elbows to look darker than the rest of your body. If this causes a hassle during the summer because you're shy about wearing a t-shirt, don't fret! Because there are several natural remedies and skin care techniques you can use to get rid of dark elbows (and knees!) Forever. Here's the description.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Use lemon juice
Lemon juice contains citric acid which is a natural bleaching agent. Therefore, applying lemon juice to the elbows can help lighten them. To use it:
- Cut a large lemon in half. Squeeze the juice from both halves of the lemon so you have two hollow lemon wedges that resemble "cups". Rub each of the lemon slices on your elbows.
- You can clean the flakes of lemon flesh that stick to your elbows, but don't wash your elbows for about 3 hours. This will give time for the lemon juice to soak in.
- Wash your elbows with warm water. Since lemon juice can dry out your skin, you should moisten your elbows afterwards with petroleum jelly.
- Repeat this daily until the dark skin on your elbows begins to fade. You will see a significant difference in a few weeks.
Step 2. Apply heavy cream and turmeric
A mixture of heavy cream and turmeric works well for lightening the skin on the elbows, especially on people with darker skin tones. Turmeric is a natural skin whitening ingredient that helps reduce melanin in the skin.
- Take some heavy cream (or high-fat milk) and simmer until thick and lumpy.
- Combine half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and half a cup of gram flour (chickpea flour), and mix everything until it forms a paste.
- Apply this paste to your elbows (and knees) in a circular motion, then rinse.
- Please note that turmeric can make the skin yellowish, but that will fade after a day or two.
Step 3. Make a paste using milk and baking soda
This mixture helps lighten elbows because milk contains lactic acid which reduces skin pigmentation, while baking soda helps remove dead skin cells.
- Add enough milk to the baking soda to form a paste.
- Apply it on your elbows and rub gently in a circular motion. Do this treatment until you see your skin is brighter.
Step 4. Try mixing yogurt and vinegar
Yogurt and vinegar contain lactic and acetic acids, both of which help to lighten skin tone.
- To use it, mix one teaspoon of yogurt with one teaspoon of white vinegar and stir until it forms a paste.
- Apply on elbows, rub in circular motions. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse and moisten.
Step 5. Mix lemon juice and yogurt in a cup
Use a brush to wipe off any dirt or sweat trapped on your elbows before applying this mixture. Use a spoon and add a little water to the mixture. Use a brush or your hands to apply the mixture to the dark skin of your elbows. Wait 10 - 20 minutes to dry. After that wash and rinse. Use a dry (and clean) towel to dry.
Method 2 of 2: Exfoliating and Moisturizing
Step 1. Rub your elbows
Rubbing your elbows will help remove dry, flaky skin cells that get trapped in the creases of your elbows, which causes darkening of the skin.
- Use a sponge or hand towel and an exfoliating gel or scrub to exfoliate the skin on your elbows.
- Alternatively, you can make your own scrub using sugar by mixing 2 parts sugar (white or brown sugar) and 1 part oil (almond, coconut, or olive oil).
- But remember not to rub too hard or too often because it can cause your skin to produce extra skin cells that will make your elbows darker. Rub gently, only once or twice a week.
- Be patient and you will soon see a big difference.
Step 2. Moisturize your skin after scrubbing and exfoliating
Dry skin causes dark skin, so remember to keep your elbows moisturized!
- Moisturize after every shower (hot water can dry out your skin) and before you go to bed at night. For best results, use a lotion that contains shea butter, jojoba oil or olive oil.
- Another, more intensive way to moisturize your elbows is to apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly, coconut oil or pure shea butter to your elbows before going to bed. Then cut a long sock and wear it on your arm to cover the elbow.
- Put the socks on your elbows while you sleep, then take them off in the morning. This will prevent the moisturizer you used from scratching the sheets, and will also provide additional heat or warmth that will help your skin absorb the moisturizer.
Step 3. Apply sunscreen
Sun exposure can cause skin damage and make the skin on the elbows and knees darker, so it's important to wear sunscreen every day.
- While this is especially important during the sunny summer months, harmful UV rays are also present even when the weather is cloudy or rainy, so you should wear sunscreen all year round, no matter what season.
- Make wearing sunscreen a part of your morning routine.
Tips
- If lemon juice is causing an unbearable sting, it's because your skin may be dry. That's why you need to moisten it with petroleum jelly the night before you use the lemon.
- You can also replace heavy cream with buttermilk; and turmeric with ground oatmeal and almonds.
