Did you spend last summer at the beach or backyard barbecue parties wearing long-sleeves? Go to great lengths to find excuses not to wear your favorite T-shirt or sleeveless sundress so, you didn’t have to feel self-conscious about your dark elbows?
You might have even scrubbed your elbows raw, later thinking, “Why me?”
Dark elbows, contrary to what one may believe, are extremely common in people of all races. The reason is that our elbows are one of the most used as well as the most neglected body parts.
We think nothing of leaning on them while we work, sit at a computer or read. They become devoid of moisture as well as building up a pile of dead skin as a protective layer, which looks rather dark and unappealing.
However, it’s time for you to shed your worries as there are more than a couple of ways to get rid of dark elbows. By giving them a little TLC, you’ll make your elbows go from dark and rough to smooth, light-colored and supple!
These three hassle-free methods to lighten your dark elbows will deliver results, slowly but surely. Persistence is the key, and before you know it, you’ll be back in your favorite summer clothes enjoying the warm weather again.
- Method 1: Sugar, Olive Oil, and Lemon Juice
- Method 2: Baking Soda and Milk
- Method 3: Gram Flour and Curd
Contents
Method 1: Sugar, Olive Oil, and Lemon Juice
Things you’ll need:
- Sugar – 4 tablespoons
- Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed – 1 tablespoon
- Mixing spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Cotton balls
- Water (lukewarm, if possible)
Step 1. Put sugar in a bowl
Measure 4 tablespoons of sugar into a mixing bowl. Milder than salt, sugar is a choice exfoliator for most skin types.
Step 2. Add olive oil
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the bowl. Olive oil is excellent for moisturizing the hard and wrinkled skin of elbows.
Step 3. Mix the ingredients
Mix the sugar and olive oil with a spoon.
Step 4. Add lemon juice
Cut a lemon in half and squeeze out the juice. Add 1 tablespoon of the freshly squeezed lemon juice to the other ingredients in the mixing bowl.
As lemon is a natural bleaching agent, it will help lighten your darkened elbows.
Step 5. Make a paste
Use the spoon to mix the contents into a sticky, grainy paste.
Step 6. Apply and massage
Now, use your fingers to apply the mixture on your elbows. Gently massage with your fingers to scrub the area. Leave it on your elbows for 5 to 10 minutes.
Another option is to use the lemon rinds to apply the paste on your elbows. Just fill the hollow of that squeezed lemon with the combined ingredients and gently rub it on your elbows using circular motions. Again, it can be left on for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 7. Wipe off with lukewarm water
Dip a clean cotton ball into lukewarm water.
Wipe your elbows thoroughly with the soaked cotton ball until you’ve removed all traces of the sticky paste.
You can use this scrub on your elbows up to three times a week. If your skin is on the more sensitive side, try using it once a week.
Method 2: Baking Soda and Milk
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda – 2 tablespoons
- Milk – 1 tablespoon
- Mixing spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Cotton balls
- Water (lukewarm, if possible)
Step 1. Put baking soda in a bowl
Measure 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a mixing bowl. Baking soda is good at removing dead-skin buildup, thus giving your elbows a thorough exfoliation.
Step 2. Add milk
Add 1 tablespoon of whole milk to the bowl. Milk is a fantastic moisturizer, and the lactic acid in it helps reduce the pigmentation of your elbows.
Step 3. Make a paste
Stir the ingredients with a spoon to make a paste of even consistency.
Step 4. Apply using a cotton ball
Dip a clean, dry cotton ball into the paste.
Using circular motions, gently apply the paste over the darkened skin. Do this for no more than 2 to 3 minutes per elbow.
Baking soda is a strong exfoliator and combined with the lactic acid found in milk; it can quickly cause to your skin to sting and feel raw.
Step 5. Wipe clean
Dip a cotton ball into a bowl of lukewarm water.
Use the soaked cotton ball to carefully remove the paste from your elbows.
Use this method every other day until you are satisfied with the results. Then, you can repeat it weekly or as needed.
Method 3: Gram Flour and Curd
Things you’ll need:
- Gram flour – 2 tablespoons
- Curd – 1 tablespoon
- Mixing spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Cotton balls
- Water (lukewarm, if possible)
Step 1. Put gram flour in a bowl
Put 2 tablespoons of gram flour into a mixing bowl. Gram flour works as an exceptional exfoliator.
Step 2. Add curd
Add 1 tablespoon of curd to the bowl. Because curd comes from milk, it also contains lactic acid, which will aid in evening out your skin tone as well as adding moisture.
Step 3. Mix into a thick paste
Stir the ingredients with a spoon until you have a thick paste. Make sure to smooth out all the lumps.
Step 4. Apply using your hands
Use your hands to apply it all over your elbows. Massage gently and leave it on for 15 minutes.
Step 5. Wipe clean
After 15 minutes, you’ll notice that the paste has dried. Now, dip a clean cotton ball into a bowl of lukewarm water.
Use the soaked cotton ball to wipe your elbows clean of the paste. Use this method once a week until you are happy with the results.
Additional Tips
- You can also use the above methods to lighten dark skin on your knees. No need to shy away from shorts and skirts either!
- Exfoliation, by its nature, strips your skin of moisture. So, always follow exfoliation with a good moisturizer.
- Wear sunscreen when going out in the sun as tanning contributes to dark elbows.
- Don’t do the scrubbing all in one day. It will cause the skin to produce extra cells. Scrub regularly, but gently and a little each time.
- Do not use lemon juice or salt on your elbows if they’re cut or bruised. If lemon juice stings your skin, you can moisturize your elbows using Vaseline or a body oil overnight.