7 home remedies to treat dark armpits, knees and elbows in summer

Do your elbows and knees appear dark and unkempt? Is wearing short skirts and sleeveless shirts the cause of embarrassment for you? To be honest, dark armpits, kneecaps, and elbows, can take away your confidence of wearing your favourite outfits, especially in summer. Scrubbing with soap does not usually work in maintaining an even skin tone when pigmentation arises on various parts of the skin.

Shahnaz Husain, the beauty mogul, founder and chairperson of The Shahnaz Husain Group, spoke to HealthShots to list some natural remedies that help you lighten the skin tone of these body parts.

Here are 7 superb home remedies that can lighten your dark armpits, elbows and knees:

1. Coconut oil

Coconut oil hydrates and moisturizes the skin extremely well. Coconut contains vitamin E, which helps to heal and brighten the skin.

Using one tablespoon of coconut oil and one tablespoon of walnut powder make a thick paste. Use it as a scrub for two to three minutes on your underarms, knees, and elbows. Then, before going to sleep, rinse it with water and apply coconut oil to the darker portions of your body. Do this process thrice a week until the dark armpits, pigmented knees, and elbows fade in colour tone.

2. Apple cider vinegar

The sour substance in apple cider vinegar is a bleaching agent that aids in skin whitening.

Mix together one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water. Apply the solution to your underarms, knees, and elbows using a cotton ball. Rinse it off after at least fifteen minutes. Try it three to four times a week until you see a change in skin colour.

3. Potato

Potato has a faint sour flavour that won’t irritate your darker, pigmented skin. It can also be used on the sensitive skin of your dark armpits.

Take a thin slice of potato, and rub it into your pigmented skin of armpits, knees and elbow for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Repeat this procedure twice a day until you see a change in the skin tone.

4. Cucumber

Cucumber has skin-lightening effects. It contains anti-inflammatory vitamin C, and when applied to your face, these nutrients can help rejuvenate your skin.

Rub a piece of cucumber or cucumber juice on your underarms, elbows, and knees. Alternatively, you might make a thick paste of cucumber juice and turmeric and apply it to your underarms. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes before washing it off. For optimal effects, repeat this process once or twice a day.

5. Baking soda and milk

Baking soda can aid in the elimination of dead skin cells while milk hydrates the skin and has lactic acid that aids in mild exfoliation.

Make a paste of one cup of milk and one tablespoon of baking soda. Rub lightly on your knees and elbows for two to three minutes. Wash it off and do it every other day until the darkness fades.

6. Curd

Curd is well-known for its moisturising properties and aids in skin brightening too.

Toss the sour curd with a teaspoon of vinegar and a pinch of gram flour. Apply the mixture evenly on your dark armpits. After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.

7. Sugar and olive oil scrub

Sugar is a natural exfoliator that contributes to the removal of dead skin cells and, as a result, lightens the complexion. Olive oil moisturises and nourishes the skin.

Make a scrub by mixing a spoonful of olive oil with a tablespoon of sugar.

These simple home cures will get rid of dark elbows, knees, and armpits and help you feel confident in your favourite clothes. Try them and get ready to ditch the sleeves and throw your hands up in the air!