How To Prevent Dark Knees And Elbows With Ayurvedic Herbs?

How To Prevent Dark Knees And Elbows With Ayurvedic Herbs?

Are you in search of a few best possible ways to reduce the darkening of your knees and elbows?

The ancient science of Ayurveda recommends treating dark knees and elbows with herbal remedies that heal your skin by aiding cell regeneration and decreasing pigmentation.

Scroll down to know the possible causes and the best natural remedies for your dark knees and elbows.

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 (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) 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.

Is It Normal To Have Dark Knees And Elbows?

Dark knees and elbows are quite common in children as well as adults. It is often not a cause for worry and can be healed with simple Ayurvedic and home remedies. As per research, people with darker skin tones are more likely to develop the condition as their skin is naturally prone to producing more melanin.

What Causes Dark Knees And Elbows?

woman with black knees

Darkening of the skin is caused by the excess release of the pigment melanin. This process is medically referred to as hyperpigmentation. Increased melanin release in certain parts of the skin such as your knees and elbows can be triggered by the following causes.

1. Friction

Kneeling down or resting on your elbows is common behaviour, but this constant pressure and friction can damage your skin eventually leading to rough, darkened knees and elbows.

2. Eczema

Dermatitis or eczema [1] is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Inflammation caused by eczema or scratching areas of the skin affected by the condition can cause skin darkening. Thus, people diagnosed with the condition have more chances of developing dark elbows and knees.

3. Psoriasis

psoriasis on lady's elbow

An auto-immune disease, Psoriasis that causes rash-like, scaly, red, inflamed patches on the skin, can trigger excess melanosis in the affected areas. Psoriasis lesions on the knees and elbows may be the cause behind darkened skin.

4. Acanthosis Nigricans

This skin condition affects body areas with folds including knees and elbows. Acanthosis Nigricans [2] can occur in children who have high insulin levels in their blood. It is characterized by dark patches or streaks of thick skin.

5. Injury

If the skin on your knees or elbows suffers an injury, it can result in skin darkening once the wound heals. The natural healing process triggered by your immune system during tissue damage involves localised inflammation. This can stimulate the melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) in the area causing hyperpigmentation.

6. Sun Damage

Frequent exposure to the sun causes skin damage. To prevent this, melanin is released to absorb and deflect the harmful UV rays. Excess release of melanin causes the skin to darken.

7. Hormonal Imbalances

Pregnancy, menstruation and menopause can cause hormone fluctuations in women. Such fluctuations may trigger hyperpigmentation in certain areas including knees and elbows. Other medical conditions that can cause hormone imbalances leading to skin darkening are Addison’s disease, Diabetes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

8. Dead Skin Build-Up

With your knees and elbows constantly exposed to dirt and friction from various surfaces, without proper care and exfoliation there is a chance of dead skin and dirt build-up making these areas appear dark.

9. Dry Skin

Areas like the knees and elbows are more prone to dry skin. Lack of adequate moisture can lead to the impairment of the skin barrier. With the epidermal barrier weakened, your skin becomes susceptible to damage, irritation and hyperpigmentation.

10. Medicine Side Effects

Certain drugs can trigger hyper-melanosis causing temporary darkening of your skin. Sun exposure can further aggravate drug-induced melanosis. Due to this, the drug's side effects are likely to be more prominent in areas such as the knees and elbows that are frequently exposed to the sun.

Black knees and elbows can keep recurring unless you prevent the actual cause. This is why Ayurvedic treatments are most suitable as they don’t superficially treat just the hyperpigmentation but the root cause behind it as well.

How To Get Rid Of Dark Elbows And Knees?

woman applying skin care lotion on dark elbows

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 [3], 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

Jatiphala or nutmeg is known for its skin benefitting properties including lightening skin pigmentation. Regularly exfoliating with jatiphala and coconut oil can quickly reduce the dark patches on your dark knees and elbows.

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

Lemon juice is a natural skin bleaching agent that removes damaged, dark upper layers of your skin from your knees and elbows and helps regain your original skin tone. Sugar is a good exfoliant that prevents dirt and dry skin build-up.

How To Use

Add sugar to lemon juice and exfoliate to treat your dark knees and elbows.

5. Papaya, Yogurt And Honey

Papain contained in papaya is a natural enzyme known for its skin brightening and rejuvenating properties. Yoghurt and honey brighten and moisturize the damaged skin and help to get rid of your dark knees and elbows.

How To Use

Mash ripe papaya. Add yoghurt and honey to it and apply to the affected areas. Wash off after 30 minutes.

6. Gram Flour, Orange Peel And Milk

Gram flour is the best remedy when it comes to exfoliating dead, damaged skin. Orange peel and milk help remove dark knees and elbows and prevent the areas from darkening again.

How To Use

Make a paste by adding gram flour, orange peel powder and milk. Apply on the dark knees and elbows and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Once the paste is dry, gently exfoliate before washing off with lukewarm water.

7. Tomato Pulp / Potato Juice / Onion Juice / Cucumber Juice

Each of these ingredients is packed with antioxidants and natural skin lightening compounds that benefit your skin and treat dark knees and elbows.

How To Use

Mash tomato/ potato/ onion/ cucumber and apply on the darkened patches. Wash off after 30 minutes. You can also cut them into thick slices and rub them on the affected skin frequently as a great dark knees and elbows treatment.

Sesame oil in ayurveda is prized to keep the skin thin, moisturized thus reducing the dark appearance. Regular massaging with sesame oil before bathing can keep the knee skin healthy.

B. Natural Methods

1. Tender Coconut Water

Wash or cleanse your dark knees and elbows with tender coconut water to remove hyperpigmentation. You can leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off for best results.

2. Oatmeal Scrub

Oatmeal not only removes dead skin but also brightens and nourishes your skin. Gentle exfoliation with colloidal oatmeal is a perfect remedy for dark elbows and knees. Mix it with milk for better depigmenting benefits.

3. Aloe Vera

Moisturize with fresh aloe vera gel. Aloe vera contains the natural depigmenting compound Aloin which lightens dark knees and elbows. With regular application, aloe vera can also reverse skin damage, repair the skin barrier and keep your knees and elbows moisturized throughout the day.

C. Essential Oils

woman applying essential oils on dark knees

1. Lemon Oil

To get rid of dark knees and elbows, massage the areas with lemon oil regularly. Lemon oil has an amazing ability to lighten darkened skin and unblock skin pores. This also helps your skin absorb nutrients better thus aiding the healing process.

2. Sandalwood Oil

Using sandalwood oil to brighten skin tone has been an age-old practice. This Ayurveda recommended essential oil reaches deep into your skin and inhibits tyrosinase (an enzyme used for the production of melanin) activity thus brightening your dark knees and elbows in no time.

3. Turmeric Oil

The magical compound curcumin present in turmeric helps combat hyperpigmentation caused by injury or inflammation. Its antibacterial properties help your skin heal and gradually get rid of dark elbows and knees.

4. Orange Blossom Oil

Regularly massaging with orange blossom essential oil can improve existing skin conditions that cause dark knees and elbows. It enhances your overall skin radiance, appearance and texture.

5. Myrrh Oil

Myrrh oil has been in use since ancient times to treat skin discolouration, skin ageing and skin damage. Loaded with antioxidants myrrh oil also improves subcutaneous blood circulation thereby speeding up skin cell repairment.

6. Carrot Seed Oil

Carrot seed oil is an excellent remedy for dark elbows and knees caused by excess sun exposure. Packed with skin-enhancing antioxidants, this essential oil reduces skin pigmentation and heals skin damage in a short time.

Vedix Tip: Consuming Manjistha with honey or ghee can remove Ama toxins from your body and help prevent dark knees and elbows.

D. Topical Creams And Lotions

1. Salicylic Acid Lotions

Salicylic acid works by gradually exfoliating the upper hyperpigmented layers of skin. This increases your natural cell turnover thus regenerating healthy new skin cells in the affected areas. Salicylic acid lotions have proven to be effective in treating dark knees and elbows. You can also use Kojic or Glycolic acid lotions for similar results.

2. Retinoids

Another exfoliating agent, retinoids, are available in creams and lotion forms. Regular application of retinoid cream decreases melanin accumulation and lightens dark knees and elbows.

3. Vitamin C

Using Vitamin C serums and creams for dark knees and elbows helps fight hyperpigmentation, sun damage and oxidative stress. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that boosts collagen production which decreases melanin accumulation in your skin. Hence, regular application of Vitamin C can swiftly whiten black knees and elbows.

E. Other Treatments

1. Microdermabrasion

This cosmetic procedure works best for stubborn skin pigmentations. Microdermabrasion uses a special device with an abrasive end to gently remove the upper layer of your skin thus revealing healthy skin that lies underneath.

2. Chemical Peeling

Chemical peeling uses an exfoliating solution to peel the upper dead layers of your skin. Chemical peeling can lighten dark knees and elbows in only a few sessions.

3. Laser Therapy

There are various types of laser therapies available to get rid of dark knees and elbows. The laser light targets pigment deposits in your skin and reduces hyperpigmentation.

How To Prevent Dark Skin On Knees And Elbows?

woman applying elbow cream at home

1. Moisturize daily. There is no better way to keep the skin on your elbows and knees soft and smooth. Moisturizers prevent dry skin, keep the epidermal barrier intact and help heal dark knees and elbows.

2. Wear sunscreen. Limit your exposure to the sun to prevent the darkening of your knees and elbows.

3. Avoid leaning on your elbows or sitting on your knees to prevent friction related hyperpigmentation.

4. Treat injuries or infections on your knees and elbows without delay. Long term inflammation can result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

5. People with chronic inflammatory skin conditions like eczema should take precautions to prevent flare-ups which may cause darkening on knees and elbows.

6. Exfoliate frequently to avoid dead skin and dirt build-up which may make your knees and elbows appear dark.

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.

Skin Care Routine To Brighten Dark Elbows And Knees

1. Cleansing

Cleanse daily with natural ingredients such as tender coconut water, green tea or milk to remove dark patches from your knees and elbows.

2. Exfoliating

Exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week with gram flour or oatmeal to prevent dead skin and dirt build-up.

3. Herbal Packs

Herbal packs containing skin lightening ingredients (mentioned in this article) help to rejuvenate and repair darkened skin on the knees and the elbows.

4. Moisturizers

Moisturize twice daily to prevent dry skin, irritation and skin damage from rough surfaces.

5. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must to protect your knees and elbows from the harmful rays of the sun.

The Last Word

Dark knees and elbows are a common problem faced by many. People who are involved in outdoor activities or are diagnosed with certain skin conditions are more prone to darkened skin in these areas. However, dark knees are not a serious health concern and can be easily treated with simple Ayurvedic and home remedies. Visit your Ayurvedic doctor to get your Doshas analysed for a customized Ayurvedic skincare routine to get rid of dark knees and elbows in just a few days.

Know Your Dosha Now
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