What Makes The Skin Darker On My Knees And Elbows
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In the deepest part of our skins epidermis there are a type of cells called melanocytes. We all have them. These pigment-producing cells are what determine our skins natural color. Light and dark skinned people actually have the same number of melanocytes, but darker skinned people have more active, productive melanocytes. These melanocyte cells are naturally stimulated by UV radiation to produce the pigment melanin, which is why sun exposure makes our skin darker.
The skin on our knees and elbows is a little different from the smooth skin on our forearms, thighs and other areas. Our knees and elbows naturally have redundant skin which we need in order to stretch and flex when our joints bend. When our limbs are extended, this skin naturally bunches up around our knees and elbows, making it appear thicker and darker.
Another natural feature of human skin is that it naturally protects our joints by becoming thicker and harder over time when stressed with contact, friction or pressure. Are you leaning on your elbows at your desk all day? Then theres a good chance the skin on your elbows is naturally thicker and rougher than the surrounding skin. You may also have a build-up of dead cells and potentially discolored skin in these areas.
This dry skin can build up even if our elbows and knees arent experiencing lots of pressure or friction.
Chemical Peeling: Indications And Contraindications
The most complex and deep chemical peeling is exfoliation of the epidermis with action on the basement membrane. It is a practically chemical burn of the skin with subsequent regeneration.
The long-term effect reaches several years, but you can do the procedure only once in your life. The rehabilitation period is approximately five months.
Chemical Peels For The Body
While phenol peels are only suited for the face, other forms of chemical peels can be performed on various areas of the body including the neck, chest, arms, hands and legs.
For chemical peels of the body, a combination of glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid are typically applied.
These types of peels are essentially facilitated to address skin issues such as sun damage, and to even out and improve pigmentation and overall skin texture.
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Soften And Lighten Your Knees And Elbows With These Unrivaled Tips
Hey girl! If youre reading this, you probably have rough elbows and knees that are significantly darker than the rest of your body. You have the problem but no solution. Luckily for you, by the end of this post, youll still have the problem but youll be equipped with a solid solution for it. Now, if you know me you know I first like to help you understand why youre experiencing a certain problem before I tell you how to get rid of it. So why are your elbows and knees rough and discolored?
Avoid These Peels At All Costs
Deep peels or phenol peels should not be used on skin of color. There i a high risk of scarring and hyperpigmentation. If there is deep scarring or skin damage, there are other solutions your dermatologist can use which are both safe and effective. For peels of all types, discuss any concerns you may have. Your doctor will outline the risks and steps needed to address them.
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Medium Depth Peels Must Be Used With Caution
Medium peels can be used in specific circumstances. Lighter brown skin types, for instance, can see significant improvement in conditions like scarring, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. Like superficial peels, doctors will first try the peel at a lower concentration then increase the potency in future sessions. Darker skin is at significant risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring. Hyperpigmentation and other issues tend to improve after three months with your dermatologists help.
What Is A Chemical Peel
A chemical peel, also known as chemexfoliation or dermapeeling, uses a chemical solution to improve the appearance of your skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to your skin, which causes trauma or injury to your skins layers. The skin layers eventually peel off revealing more youthful skin. The new skin is usually smoother with fewer lines and wrinkles, has a more even color and is brighter in complexion.
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What Causes Dark Knees And Elbows
The first step to understanding how to treat dark knees and elbows is to understand what causes them in the first place. Uneven skin tone on any part of the body is the result of excessive production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. When this happens, its called hyperpigmentation which is what you also call the dark spots left behind by acne or sun damage.
But the reasons why your skin produces more melanin in these areas vary. Sometimes, its just another case of sun damage, or the product of dead skin cell build-up, or conditions like eczema.
Most of the time, however, it comes down to thickening of the skin. This is brought on by everyday acts such as bending, stretching, or even just friction against your clothes. You might not feel the irritation in these areas, but your skin does, and it gradually thickens over time to protect itself.
Treatment Options For Melasma
As regards management, the therapeutic options range from photoprotection, topical hypopigmenting agents, chemical peels and lasers to a variety of less-tried systemic agents like fish oil, green tea and deoxyarbutin. Although no single agent has proved to be effective for all patients, a combination of two or three agents is often tried to achieve optimum results. Inspite of this, the treatment of melasma remains a challenge, and a mild-moderate improvement is all that is achieved in a majority of patients.
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Best Overall Civant Meladerm
One immediate point to make here, Meladerm is not technically a chemical peel.
BUT
It is the #1 treatment weve found for dark spots and hyperpigmentation, so we had to put it on this list.
The entire product line was developed specifically for dark spots, and it works, just read this review from one of their recent customers:
My wife had large patches of black discolouration on her both cheeks. Being a doctor I took her to dermatologist who precribed expensive treatmentthat failed to give the desired results. Then I took her to a beauty clinic, and yet again expensive treatment that failed. I could not believe my eyes when I noticed visible difference only after three days use by my wife. It was a mircle Caviant Skin Products had worked where all other had failed. I strongly recommend Civant Skin Products because they work and are safe to use. I would recommend to start with the five piece kit, and latter decide what product to continue with.
The Reasons Why Your Elbows Are Dark
- Dead skin cells accumulation.
- Hormonal imbalance due to pregnancy.
The above causes may affect any part of your skin. Perhaps elbows suffer the most due to the vulnerable situations in addition to lack of care and attention.Triggered melanin can cause dark spots and patches.People who are naturally dark-skinned are likely to have dark elbows. Your dark, scaly, rough, or waxy skin took time to develop, possibly months. Like snakes, we too shed skin, dead skin, once a month. Removal of these dead skin cells takes place through bathing and exfoliation. If failed to do so, these dead skin cells build up rough patches. Basic hygiene and attention to elbows and knees during a bath can help exfoliate the areas ridding them of sebum, dirt, sweat, dead skin, bacteria, pollution, and germs such as smoke and fumes. Dark patches, if left untreated, lead to other skin disorders and infections. Give a few extra minutes to such body areas, your elbows, your knees. They deserve your attention. But don’t let them take anything away from you, overpower them! Some remedies are scientifically proven to help with hyperpigmentation, and we will learn everything about them.
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Best Tca Peel: 7 Powerful Products To Transform Your Skin
Are you looking for the best TCA peel?
Trichloroacetic acid is one of the strongest at-home chemical peels, best known for its ability to penetrate deeper than light peels like glycolic acid.
That’s because TCA peels are medium-depth peels that provide uniform and consistent penetration into the dermis .
What does this mean for you?
For one thing – it means TCA can address deeper skin problems like acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
For another – by peeling away layers of damaged skin, TCA helps stimulates collagen growth, resulting in a smoother and firmer appearance.
In other words, a TCA peel is an excellent choice if your skin concerns include anti-aging, scars, and discoloration .
Now, lets help you find the perfect TCA peel for your skin condition and budget!
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The 5 Best At Home Chemical Peels For Dark Spots/hyperpigmentation
Are you looking for the best at-home chemical peels for dark spots/hyperpigmentation? If so, you have come to the right place. Exfoliation can do wonders for your skin when done correctly. It helps remove dead skin cells, improves blood circulation, removes dark spots, and provides brighter-looking skin.
When you have dark spots on the skin and dont know what to do about it, investing in a chemical peel can be a very effective treatment. With hundreds of at-home chemical peels available, choosing the right product might not be easy. There are so many things to consider when choosing the best at-home chemical peel for dark spots. This article provides information on what you should consider when investing in an at-home chemical peel and lists 6 of the best peels to choose from today.
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Colloidal Oatmeal For Your Elbows
Oatmeal has soothing powers and infuses moisture into your dry skin. Colloidal Oatmeal may help protect the skin from UV exposure, moisturize skin, and treat psoriasis. It is further assisting the skin in from fading dark spots and effectively lightening dark elbows.Moisturize your body after every exfoliation or wash as a gesture of self-care. Topical medicines may be required for more rough and darker than usual patches. Treatments like these are mostly salicylic acid and glycolic acid, available over the counter in low concentrations.
Why Does Skin Get Darker On Knees And Elbows
Your knees and elbows are one of the most exposed areas in your body. This makes the skin there more prone to friction, injury and other skin conditions. People with dark knees and elbows have skin that feels rough, patchy and pigmented.
According to Ayurveda, the texture, glow and health of your skin is determined by the levels of the three Doshas that govern our body functions. A Vata-Pitta Dosha aggravation may affect the appearance of your skin in certain areas leading to the occurrence of dark knees and elbows.
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Causes Of Rough Discolored Elbows And Knees
Friction:
Short story before I explain this my dad grew up in a rural Kenyan village and walked around shoeless for nearly 20 years. As a result of the constant friction, the skin on the bottom of his feet is literally rock hard. You can poke him with a needle and he wont feel a thing.
When you expose your skin to excess friction for extended periods of time, it roughens up to be able to withstand that friction and not get easily irritated or bruised. Your skin is trying to protect itself when it gets rough. Im sure the phrase thick skin has something to do with this. All those times you fell on your knees as a kid, the long sleeve shirts you frequently wear, leaning on your elbowsall of that is friction! The build-up of dead skin cells appears significantly darker than the healthy cells around it, which causes the noticeable discoloration.
Psoriasis:
You may have psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes red, often painful and itchy, scaly patches on the skin. Areas like your elbows, knees, and scalp are most commonly affected. Visit a dermatologist or your primary care physician if you have these symptoms.
Sun damage:
Dirt:
How To Get Rid Of Dark Knees According To Dermatologists
Expert tips for melanated skin.
Black women will probably remember this well: Youre little and you plop down, knees first, on the floor or on a pillow, and your grandma scolds you with something like, Dont sit on your knees! Youll turn them black. Well, your nana wasnt wrong. Hyperpigmentation of the knees happens in melanated people, especially for several reasons, including inflammation, genetic changes, sun exposure, and, yes, chronic friction. With shorts and sundress season basically here, maybe youre looking to finally get rid of dark knees. If youre nodding along, scroll on because Bustle pinged a few Black dermatologists for intel on how to lighten dark knees and prevent them from happening in the first place.
We at Bustle only include products that have been independently selected by our editors. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
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Cleansing Of The Skin
A doctor cosmodermatologist uses concentrated acids to renew and cleanse the skin. However, the selection of ingredients depends on the patient’s age, skin condition, and existing problems.
Sometimes we perform chemical peeling before plastic surgery. It is also a preparation method for deep dermabrasion .
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A Ayurvedic And Home Remedies
Ayurveda recommends the use of herbs and ingredients that naturally inhibit excess melanocyte activity, enhance cell regeneration and remove harmful Ama toxins from your body which is often the major cause for hyperpigmentation.
1. Milk, Turmeric And Sandalwood
The ancient Ayurvedic texts cite the amazing powers of raw turmeric and sandalwood in improving skin tone. With the presence of curcumin in turmeric and santalol in sandalwood, these powerful herbs prevent excess melanin production in your skin. Milk containing lactic acid helps exfoliate dead skin and make your dark knees and elbows appear brighter.
How To Use
To get rid of dark knees and elbows, mix raw turmeric paste, sandalwood powder with milk and apply to the affected skin. Leave it on for half an hour and wash off with lukewarm water.
2. Yashtimadhu, Kesar And Honey
Glabridin , a natural hyperpigmentation reducing compound present in Yashtimadhu makes it a popular dark knees and elbows treatment. Combined with the skin lightening properties of Kesar and the moisturizing effects of honey, this Ayurvedic pack is capable of helping you get rid of dark knees and elbows in 10 days.
How To Use
Soak kesar in honey and add yashtimadhu powder to it. Apply on your dark knees and elbows to reduce hyperpigmentation. Wash off after 30 minutes.
3. Jatiphala And Coconut Oil
How To Use
Grind jatiphala into a coarse powder. Add mild-warm coconut oil and exfoliate your dark knees and elbows.
4. Lemon Juice And Sugar
How To Use
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Types Of Chemical Peels
Before you get a chemical peel, its essential to understand both the types of peels and whats in your peels. This knowledge will help you to understand whats happening during your peel and if what your provider is suggesting is right for you. Chemical peels are classified as superficial peels, medium-depth peels, and deep peels.
- Superficial peels target the uppermost layer of your skin called the stratum corneum or epidermis. These peels can go all the way to the top of an area called the papillary dermis.
- Medium-depth peels impact the middle layer of your skin, called the dermis. This layer starts at the papillary dermis and goes to the middle of the reticular dermis. Medium-depth peels are much more potent at removing dead skin cells and breaking up scars.
- Deep peels get deep into the middle layer of your skin and can break up deep acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Anyone opting for deep peels do so under the advice of a board-certified dermatologist. These peels have long healing times and must be done with caution.
Your peel will be an alpha-hydroxy acid or a beta-hydroxy acid . AHAs are acids derived from plants and animals. At different concentrations, these can exfoliate your skin, brighten your skin, increase blood flow and collagen production. BHAs are oil-based organic compounds that can unclog pores, reduce oil, clear acne, and much more.
Remedies For Dark Elbows
Knee and elbow pigmentation is something all of us have and its nothing to worry about. Though it doesnt need medical care, it might look very odd if it is very evident. One may shy away from wearing shorts or sleeveless tops due to dark knees and elbows. Hyperpigmentation on knees and elbows can be caused by too much friction, unprotected sun exposure, accumulation of dead skin cells, skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and skin dryness. According to celebrity dermatologist Dr Rashmi Shettyra, chemical peels may help lighten the pigmentation as well as hydrate and soften the skin of affected areas. But she also suggested some tips that one can do at home to prevent knee & elbow pigmentation, as well as to lighten the pigmentated areas. These tips apply to pigmentation in general, irrespective of which area, she wrote on Instagram.
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