
Image cc licensed by Peter Busse via Flickr
So you love wearing shorts and clothes that usually show off your knees.. And how about your elbows? They’re probably showing off, too. Don’t you feel a little self-conscious if you’re dark knees and elbows are always making a scene?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should be self-conscious about your dark knees and dark elbows. But mostly— yes, most of the women are looking for remedies to get rid of them or lighten them to match their overall skin tone especially those who have darker skin like myself.
You don’t need to spend expensively just to lighten your dark knees and elbows, so cheer up! I’ll be sharing how you can do it yourself at home with just a little effort, of course.
But what really causes dark knees and dark elbows?
The culprits? First on the list is the build up of thick, dead skin on your knees and elbows.
Friction! Yes, it has a big contribution on the darkening of your knees and elbows. Think about the friction and the pressure you put on them, and those dead skins that’s playing hide-and-seek with you from the tiny folds of those areas. So try to avoid any habit that will provoke the appearance of your dark knees and elbows as much as possible.
What else? Uhmm, excessive sun exposure is another cause as can dry skin and if you’re not exfoliating and moisturizing well enough.
So now, let’s go on our natural home remedies to that annoying dark knees and elbows!
DIY scrubs/recipes to get rid of dark knees and elbows
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Lemon or Calamansi
Lemon has a natural whitening agent (citric acid). It works as natural bleach, which can lighten dark knees and elbows, but not limited to lightening acne marks. You’ll only need half a lemon and apply it on the affected areas and leave it for 15-20 minutes before going to shower. Do it everyday and it’ll improve the appearance of the concerned areas.
Here in the Philippines, lemons are quite pricey so as an alternative, I used calamansi. I heard this tip from a Filipina actress Gladys Reyes who’s been pointing out that calamansi is her beauty secret for her good-looking and even skin all over.
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Lemon + Honey
You may also want to try the combination of lemon and honey to get rid of your dark knees and elbows. Using calamansi will also do the trick. They act as a natural bleaching agent and the honey gives moisturization to the affected areas as it maintains a healthier skin.
You simply need to mix the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey, apply it into your elbows and knees. Massage it for a while in a circular motion and leave it as it is for 15-20 minutes before going to shower.
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Olive oil
Olive oil alone can be used to combat uneven skin tone. It’s actually my most favorite solution for my knees and elbows. Why? Because I’m lazy, hihi.. It’s very convenient because after applying enough amount and you’re set to go. Whether you want to rinse it or leave it on your skin all day, it’s all up to you. It moisturizes well and easily absorbed. Bye-bye dead skins that causes darkening in those areas!
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Turmeric + Olive oil + Sugar
Don’t underestimate turmeric, its usage is not only for cooking. The antioxidant in it saves the skin from premature aging and sugar will slough off the presence of dead skins. Olive oil provides moisturization.
A teaspoon of turmeric, a tablespoon of sugar, and a teaspoon of olive oil is all you need to mix, mix.. and mix before applying it on the affected areas. Massage it into your skin in a circular motion, then rinse it after a while.
If you feel like you don’t want adding turmeric, you can still do it with only sugar and olive oil. 🙂
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Baking soda + Milk
It is commonly used as a cleaning and whitening agent at home, especially in the kitchen, but it also works well when used as a dark skin lightening remedy. Milk also has the ability to soften, moisturize, and whiten the skin.
Put a tablespoon of baking soda in a clean bowl and gradually pour the milk in it to make a paste-like mixture. Rub it on your knees and elbows to slough off dead skins in it and do it everyday or every other day. Moisturize afterwards. 🙂
If you don’t want to use milk, just use water.
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Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera helps to regenerate tissues and moisturizes the skin to combat dryness that contributes to the darkening of knees and elbows.
You’ll need a fresh aloe vera leaves, squeeze the gel from it, then apply it on your knees and elbows. Wait around 20 minutes before going to shower or rinsing it.
You’ll say bye-bye dark knees / elbows eventually but..
The key to effective results is patience. Using any of the mentioned methods above doesn’t mean you’re going to wake up with your desired result in the next morning. No, it’s not like that. These remedies require your consistent effort until you see your dark knees and elbows have finally lightened.