Dark Spots on Knees and Elbows

Dark spots on knees and elbows may prompt you to refrain from wearing knee length dresses or short sleeved ones. However, this condition can be easily overcome with a little care. Read on for more information regarding dark spots on knees and elbows.

You have been making plans for your tenth wedding anniversary for the last three, four months and suddenly you realize that your knee length dress with short sleeves may not suit you, as you have developed dark spots on knees and elbows. It is so disheartening to discard that dress, specially designed for the occasion. Such a situation warrants some special care on your part to get rid of these dark spots on knees and elbows. So don’t panic. All you have to do is to scroll down to know more on what causes dark spots on knees and elbows and how to get rid of them. Read more on skin disorders.

What Causes Dark Spots on Knees and Elbows?

Discoloration of knees and elbows are experienced by both men and women, but the fairer sex is more worried about this condition. Though not a serious health problem, dark spots on knees and elbows are viewed as unsightly and unattractive. These dark spots may or may not be accompanied by dry and flaky skin, which makes the situation worse. The following are some of the possible causes for dark spots on knees and elbows.

• It has been observed that this condition is not that common in young people, as compared to the middle-aged and elderly ones. Dark spots on knees and elbows can be one among the signs of aging, but some young people also develop this condition due to various reasons.
• Knees and elbows are constantly subjected to friction, during your daily activities. This constant friction leads to darkening of the area or you develop dark, dry patches.
• This condition may develop due to heredity too. If most of your family members have this condition, then there are chances that you may develop this condition, with time.
• Poor skin care is another reason for dark spots on knees and elbows. Even though, you follow a routine beauty care regimen, you may tend to forget about your knees and elbows, which are prone to develop pigmentation, dry and flaky skin, dark spots, etc.
• Sun exposure without any protection may turn your knees and elbows darker in a fast manner, as compared to other body parts.
• Some diseases and medical conditions are also known to be the causes for dark spots on knees and elbows. Addison’s disease is one such condition, which causes dark patches on skin. Ovarian cysts or PCOS is also said to be one of the causes for pigmentation in women. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may also lead to this condition.

Apart from the above mentioned causes, intake of some medications can also result in this condition. Now, you know the causes for dark spots on knees and elbows and so, it will be easier for you to treat this condition. It has been observed that in most cases, this condition can be treated with some home remedies. Rarely, the service of a dermatologist may also be required, if the home remedies fail to cure the problem, or if it is causing additional symptoms too. In case of any underlying medical condition, which is causing these dark spots, you have to treat that condition to get rid of these dark spots on knees and elbows.

How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on Knees and Elbows?

Knees and elbows are parts of the body, which are more susceptible to skin damage, as they undergo constant friction during your daily activities. This friction leads to accumulation of dead skin cells, which becomes dark, dry and flaky. This being the most common cause for dark spots on knees and elbows, we shall take a look at some of the remedies for countering this condition. The following are some tips and guidelines about how to remove dark spots on knees and elbows.

• The golden rules regarding skin care of knees and elbows are regular exfoliation and moisturization. Apart from these application of sunscreen, while going out, is a must.
• In order to exfoliate the skin on knees and elbows, sugar scrub works best. Cut one lemon and squeeze out some juice from both pieces. Hold the lemon piece like a cup and add some sugar to it. Gently scrub the knees and elbows with the lemon peels with sugar. It will be better to scrub the skin while you are in shower, as the skin would be soft.
• While regular (once in a week) scrubbing is good for knees and elbows, moisturizing is also very important. While, moisturization after scrubbing is necessary, it should be a daily routine too. Otherwise, knees and elbows can get dry faster than other body parts. You can use some thicker lotions, like, cocoa butter and raw shea butter for these areas.
• As the skin on knees and elbows lack oil glands, you may also go for some oil massage. Coconut oil and olive oil are considered as beneficial for skin.
• You may make a mix of coconut oil and lime juice and apply it on the knees and elbows. While coconut oil acts as a moisturizer, lemon juice lightens the pigmented skin.
• You can also apply aloe vera juice to remove dark spots on knees and elbows. You can also replace aloe vera juice with a mixture of milk and lemon juice. Mix one cup of milk and the juice from one lemon. Slightly warm the mixture and apply it on your knees and elbows with a soft cloth. Let the cloth remain over the area for five minutes. You can find the difference, as the skin gets softened.

Read more on:

• Exfoliate Skin Naturally
• How to Exfoliate Skin with Baking Soda

Always use a sunscreen while going out and drink lots of water. Water is essential for good skin, so, drink at least eight glasses of water everyday. Now, you know how to get rid of dark spots on knees and elbows with the help of some home remedies. But never overdo things, for it will worsen the situation. For example, regular scrubbing does not mean that you scrub daily and cause skin irritation. Always be gentle with your skin, even when you scrub it. You will be rewarded with a smooth and glowing skin without any dry or dark patches. If there is no relief, even after trying all these measures, you must visit a dermatologist.