It's mid-summer, and this means more bare skin to show off that beautiful summer tan. But dark knees and elbows can ruin the effect and drain your self-esteem. The skin around the knees and elbows is usually thicker and has more folds than the surrounding skin. And because there are no oil glands in these areas, this skin tends to be drier. Frequent rubbing, overexposure to the sun, genetic factors, hormonal imbalances and obesity can cause dark knees and elbows. Though it is a very common issue, darkening of the skin in these areas can make people self-conscious about wearing sleeveless dresses and tops as well as skirts and shorts. Here are some home remedies that can naturally lighten discoloured knees and elbows: Coconut oil: Coconut oil contains Vitamin E that can help lighten skin tone and prevent dryness by keeping the skin hydrated and moisturised. It can also repair dark and damaged skin. Apply after each shower or bath on your knees and elbows and massage gently for one to two minutes. Reapply several times a day to prevent dryness. Alternatively, prepare a mixture with one teaspoonful of coconut oil and half a teaspoonful of lemon juice. Rub this on your dark elbows and knees once daily and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Wipe it off with paper towels. You can also add enough coconut oil to one tablespoon of walnut powder to make a thick paste. Use this to exfoliate dark skin patches around your knees and elbows two or three times a week. Baking soda and milk: Baking soda is very effective in cleansing the skin and reduces darkening. Milk bleaches and cleanses the skin. Take one tablespoonful of baking soda and mix it with milk. Apply this paste on the knees and elbows and scrub it in using a circular motion. Repeat once every two days until you notice changes in colour. Sugar and olive oil: The sugar work as an exfoliant, while the olive oil moisturises the skin. Mix equal quantities of olive oil and sugar to make a thick paste. Apply this on black knees and elbows. Rub the skin using the mixture for about five minutes. Wash off using mild soap and water. Lemon and honey: Lemon juice has a natural bleaching property, and honey moisturises the skin, preventing darkening. Take the juice of one lemon and mix it with one tablespoonful of honey. Apply the mixture of lemon and honey on the affected areas and leave the mixture to act for at least 20 minutes. Wash off with water to get lightened skin. Repeat at least three times a week to get the best results. Turmeric, honey and milk: Milk act as a bleaching agent, and turmeric has antiseptic properties. Honey moisturises dry skin and also has antiseptic properties. Mix some turmeric with milk and honey to make a smooth paste. Apply it on dark areas and leave for at least 20 minutes. Wet your hands and rub the mixture in for two minutes and then wash off with water. Aloe Vera gel: This reduces the damage caused to the skin due to overexposure to the sun. It also moisturises the skin and prevents dryness which may lead to darkening of the skin. Extract the gel by breaking open a fleshy Aloe Vera leaf. Apply to the affected areas and let it sit for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water. Repeat one or two times daily for a few weeks to get fresh-looking skin on the elbows and knees. Vinegar and yoghurt: When used together, these cleanse and moisturise the skin. Apply a mixture of vinegar and yoghurt on affected areas and leave to dry. When the mixture becomes dry, rub the area in a circular motion for two minutes and then wash off. Bleaching fruits: Lemons, tomatoes and grapes have bleaching properties and can help to get rid of black skin when used regularly. Apply the juice of any of these bleaching fruits regularly to the skin. You can use different fruit juices on different days.
