Are Dark Knees And Elbows Normal
Darker patches of skin around knees and elbows is an absolutely normal phenomenon, as these regions are more prone to friction and pressure. Darkening of these joints is more common in people with darker skin tones, as they tend to produce more melanin. This natural pigment produced by your skin protects you from the UV rays of the sun.
Even though darkening of knees and elbows is mostly harmless, in rare cases it might indicate an underlying skin disorder which needs to be treated by a dermatologist.
How To Get Rid Of Dark Elbows
This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 18 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,330,356 times.
Sun exposure and a buildup of dead skin cells can cause the skin on your elbows to appear darker than the skin on the rest of your body. If this is bothersome during the summer months or you are embarrassed to be seen in a T-shirt, donât fret! There are several natural remedies and skin care techniques which will help you rid yourself of worrisome dark coloration on your elbows and knees!
How Much Time Will It Take To Lighten Dark Knees And Elbows
Minor darkening of knees and elbows can heal within a few days. Treating the condition with Ayurvedic and home remedies further hastens the healing procedure. However, if your dark knees and elbows are caused by internal medical conditions, the darkening may last longer till the root cause ceases to exist.
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Papaya To Get Rid Of Dark Knees And Elbows
Papaya has certain physical properties that not only help to lighten the skin but also helps in hydration and hydration.
This treatment is great for the thicker skin on the elbows. Cut the papaya into small pieces and then mash, these pieces together with a teaspoon of water will make a mixture that is great for whitening the skin.
Then apply this papaya puree on the elbows and leave it for about ten minutes before washing with plain water.
Refrigerate the rest of this porridge for later use. Apply this treatment once every two days, in a few weeks you will have the best results.
Also Check: What Causes Burning In The Knee
Over The Counter Products
You can choose from a number of different OTC products available in the market. These can effectively brighten up your knees and elbows.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests to look for the following ingredients in your skin lightening products for effective results :
- Glycolic acid
- Vitamin C
Word of caution :
Avoid using bleaching creams or products containing mercury. Bleaching creams can actually worsen the darkening of your skin by causing irritation or inflammation. Mercury can cause serious health problems.
You can try SkinKrafts knee and elbow brightening cream, which is free from harsh chemicals. It has mandelic acid which gently exfoliates the skin, along with sunflower oil and Mauritia flexuosa oil for skin nourishment and UV protection.
Read Also: Should I Get An Mri On My Knee
The Reasons For Dark Elbows And Knees
The skin of the knees, elbows, and underarms are naturally darker than other parts. Moreover, these things can also add some extra discoloration to these skin areas.
Accumulation of dead skin cells, psoriasis, birth control pills, eczema, melasma, age spots, freckles, exposure to the dirt, cloth friction, dryness, sunlight, etc.
Potato For Dark Knees
Image: Shutterstock
A potato
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once or twice daily for best results.
Why This Works
Potatoes possess mild bleaching properties that lighten dark spots and dark skin. They also nourish and brighten dry and dull skin .
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this pack every alternate day.
Why This Works
Gram flour exfoliates and removes the dead skin cells on your knees and elbows . Yogurt lightens the skin tone and also nourishes it .
Use these remedies and you no longer have to be embarrassed by your dark knees and dark elbows. Lets now take a look at what causes dark knees and elbows.
Read Also: What Is Chondrocalcinosis Of The Knee
Use Lemon And Baking Soda Scrub
Lemon is an excellent skin lightening ingredient. It has natural bleaching properties that help in dead skin removal. Lemons are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C which improves skin complexion and also promotes regeneration of the skin cells. When this miracle juice is mixed with baking soda, it acts as the best scrubber to remove the dead cells. Apply the mixture/ scrub on the affected skin area and massage gently and leave it on the skin for 7-10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Repeat this every week to see results.
Top 13 Unexpected Ways To Banish Dark Knees And Elbows Naturally
I. Causes Of Dark Knees
There are a variety of factors that bring about dark spots on knees, even elbows. Below are several common causes of dark knees you need to know:
- Abrasion: Human body itself produces things to protect it from external harm. When any part of the body is rubbed with other things for a long time, layers of the skin on that part will become thicker than normal to avoid damaging the dermis on lower layers of the skin. Therefore, dead skin cells appear and make your skin, especially on knees and elbows darker.
- The light from the sun: The absorption between dead skin cells and the light from the sun still occurs. Dead cells themselves make your skin look darker than normal. Even when dead cells on the skin of knees are produced and exposed to the light from the sun directly, you will get dark spots on your knees or elbows.
- Lack of oil on your skin: That your skin is too dry makes pollutants existing in the air do harm to it and makes the skin become drier and drier. This helps speed up the rate of forming dead skin cells, which are the main factor leading to the darkness of knees.
- Other factors causing dark knees and elbows include obesity, hormone disproportion, skin hyperpigmentation, Addisons syndrome, and melanocytes.
II. How To Tips
The following are the best ways to help eliminate darkness from knees and elbows naturally.
1. Baking Soda With Milk
Ingredients:
Note:
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Ingredients:
Note:
3. Almond Oil
Ingredients:
Directions:
Note:
Read Also: What Can You Do After Knee Replacement
When To See A Doctor
Dark spots on your legs are usually not a cause for concern, but you may want to mention them at your next doctor visit.
If youre concerned about the appearance of dark spots on your skin, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the safest and most effective types of treatment. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you dont already have a doctor.
Signs that you should see a doctor right away include:
- spots that are raised and not smooth
- moles that are changing in appearance
- dark spots on your palms, fingers, soles of your feet, toes, mouth, nose, vagina, or anus
- other types of unusual lesions on your body
How Vitamin C Benefits Skin Health
While the skinâs antioxidants the ones you get from eating antioxidant-rich foods do a great job protecting your complexionfrom free radicals, a long day spent in the sun tends to deplete them. Thatâs where topical antioxidants come in.
Because it is likely that dietary nutrients are not easily able to reach the outermost layers of the skin, your skin willalways appreciate a top up in the form of a serum. Independent research found that applying Vitamin C topically fights photoagingand supports skins natural collagen to help keep skin visibly firm and target pigment that leads to dark spots.
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Tips To Lighten Dark Elbows And Knees
Do you have dark knees and elbows? Have you been trying to lighten these discoloured areas? That entire attempt trying to scrub of the dark spots with soap will give you no avail and alas, you wont be able to wear your favourite sleeveless top or shorts or skirts. The rough, darkened skin on knees and elbow is a common problem. The main reason behind this dark skin is the presence of dead skin cells created due to pressure or friction in the knees or elbows. The skin on the elbow is naturally thick and thus more prone to moisture loss than any other part of the skin. To top it off, the continuous wear and tear by leaning over the elbows or kneeling down can make the skin more rough and coarse. Doing so can prevent the proper flow of blood, hence making them darker.
There are many natural remedies that can lighten your dark knees and elbows. Words of caution, if you are allergic to any ingredient, dont use it. Follow these home remedies to lighten elbows and knees:
Lemon
Besan or Gram Flour
Baking soda and milk
Baking soda has been long used as an Exfoliator and a skin brightener. Take some baking soda and add milk to it to make a thick paste. Apply this paste on your knees and elbows and massage them in a circular motion. Repeat this every day until you notice results.
Olive oil and sugar
Lemon juice, olive oil, and salt
You can also add some coconut oil in lemon juice to get rid of your dark elbows and knees.
Some prevention tips for dark elbows and knees:
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
Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Partial And Total Knee Replacement
How To Use Aloe Vera And Milk For Dark Spots
There are two ways to use aloe vera and milk.
The fist is by:
- Extracting the aloe vera gel from the leaf
- Apply the gel on your knees and elbows or underarms
- Allow it to sit for 20 to 25 minutes
- Then wash it off with water
You can repeat the step as much as you want till you get a result.
The second is by:
- Mixing an equal amount of aloe vera and milk
- Apply the mixture on the dark spot area
- Allow it to sit overnight
- Wash off afterward in the morning
You can repeat this step every night. This step is ideal if you want to get rid of dark elbows overnight.
A Dermatologist Recommends 8 Home Hacks To Brighten Your Dark Knees
| Listen to this article |
Summer is here and its time to bring out your shorts and skirts from the closet. Oops! We totally forgot about how darkened knees can totally wreck your look. Well, fret not ladies because we have some really cool home hacks that can help you lighten your dark knees in a jiffy.
If youre wondering why despite sitting at home for a year and not going out in the sun your knees are still dark, then let us enlighten you.
According to Dr Chytra Anand, celebrity cosmetic dermatologist and beauty guru at Kosmoderma Clinics, Indian skin has melanin or pigment in it. For every 10 normal cells, Indian skin has one pigment-producing cell. And whenever there is any kind of friction, irritation, or inflammation the pigmentation increases due to increased melanin production. Not to mention, dry and sensitive skin are more prone to pigmentation.
The knee joint is an area of constant movement which causes friction in the skin. People tend to kneel on their knees which causes friction leading to inflammation. People with dry skin on their knees dont usually think of moisturizing this area, leading to hyperpigmentation or dark end knees. Another cause is genetics, environmental changes, vitamin B12 and D deficiencies, and hypothyroidism, she explains.
The good news is that you can totally transform your knee skin with some ingredients that are available right in your kitchen.
So, here are eight ingredients from your kitchen that you can use to lighten your knees
Recommended Reading: How To Deal With Runner’s Knee
Common Reasons For Dark Knees And Elbows
What Is The Best Cure For Dark Spots
A very popular remedy for dark spots on the face is lemon juice.It contains vitamin C that can help reduce inflammation and lighten dark spots on the skin.The acidity of the lemon juice can be helpful in bleaching those dark spots on the skin. Cut a fresh lemon and squeeze the juice into a clean bowl.
Recommended Reading: How To Heal Your Knee Without Surgery
Pink Madison Skin Whitening Mask Cream
A dark spot corrector that is effective to even out the of your elbows and knees by lightening it a few shades more. Pink Madison Skin Whitening Mask is perfect for face, body, dark spots, and age spots. The formula has all-natural and holistic ingredients like jojoba seed oil, Morus alba root extract, bentonite clay, papaya extract vitamin C, B3, lactic acids, and various other clays for doing the job correctly.
Products To Remove Dark Skin From Knees And Elbows
Ambi and Black Opal make products to remove dark spots on the body. Ambi’s Soft & Even Skin Enhancing Moisture Cream is a black skin care product formulated to make a noticeable difference in removing dark skin from knees and elbows. The product uses a variety of oils to lighten the skin, and is safe enough for sensitive skin, states Ambi’s web site.
Black Opal has a botanical body fade cream for people who are sensitive to hydroquinone. Black Opal’s product uses citrus to lighten the skin. Black Opal also has a stronger product, Body Crème Extra Strength, that contains hydroquinone. Avoid resting on elbows or sitting on knees while in the process of removing the dark spots. Pressure on the skin can make efforts to remove the spots futile. With diligence, darkness will disappear and soft, glowing skin will appear on those rough areas. .
Recommended Reading: How To Control Knee Pain
See How To Clear Dark Skin On Neck Armpits Elbows And Knees
How to clear dark skin on neck, elbows, knees, armpits and any other body part? Learn the fastest and easiest way to clear them naturally!
Have you ever seen someone with dark spots on your neck, elbows, knees or armpits? It looks like dirt, but it is not. This disease is known scientifically as acanthosis nigricans.
These are very ugly spots that appear in various areas of the human body. Although it seems a simply aesthetic problem, the truth is that it is very dangerous.
For this reason, we want to present you the information below. We want you, if you are suffering from this evil, to get rid of it as soon as possible. In addition, by eliminating them you will also stop the looks of those ignorant people who think that you do not have good hygiene. But before we will explain what products you will need and why the remedy that we will present is so effective.
These dark spots on the skin are a reflection that something is not right inside. This is a clear signal of very high levels of insulin or the bodys resistance to it. If you do not pay attention, in a very short time you can end up suffering from type 2 diabetes.
To get rid of this evil, there are many methods and drugs prescribed by doctors. However, the best and healthiest way how to clear dark skin on neck, armpits and elbows is with natural remedies. Also, these natural remedies improve nutrition and help you lose weight. Next we will present 3 remedies that will be the definitive solution to this evil.