Dark spots on elbows and knees are more common because in these areas of the body, the skin is thicker and therefore more loaded with melanin-rich cells. If you are in this situation, and you are asking yourself how to lighten dark knees and elbows, here’s our advice.
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Hyperpigmentation: How to Lighten Dark Knees and Elbows?
Summary
- Why Are Elbows and Knees Often Darker and Subject to Hyperpigmentation?
- How to Lighten Dark Knees and Elbows?
Published March 23, 2022,
updated on November 2, 2023,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Why Are Elbows and Knees Often Darker and Subject to Hyperpigmentation?
First, it is important to define the term: Hyperpigmentation refers to persistent spots that appear on the surface of the skin. It occurs as a result of a disturbance in the pigmentation process: melanin, the pigment responsible for the natural coloring of the skin, is overproduced in certain areas. On the elbows and knees, the coloration is then quite diffuse and less like pigment spots.
Hyperpigmentation on knees and elbows is generally linked to several causes:
Daily rubbing.
Constant contact, rubbing, and friction with clothing thickens the epidermis, which increases the number of dead cells loaded with melanin on its surface. In addition, the knees and elbows also come into contact with different types of materials because they are points of support.
Lack of hydration.
Unlike the rest of the skin, on these parts of the body, the quantity of sebaceous glands is insufficient. Knees and elbows tend to dry out quickly, causing them to darken.
Dead skin.
As these are joints, the skin is thick and forms folds. These folds create cracks where impurities such as dead skin cells can accumulate.
How to Lighten Dark Knees and Elbows?
To combat these darker areas, consider the following recommendations:
Exfoliate your knees and elbows once or twice a week.
To eliminate dead cells loaded with melanin, exfoliation remains the solution of choice. To do so, perform a mechanical exfoliation in the shower at least once a week, or even twice a week just on these areas. Choose a gentle, natural exfoliator that suits your skin. Our nourishing body scrub helps soften and smooth the skin. It's especially good for the drier areas of the knees and elbows. It contains apricot kernel powder, a natural exfoliating agent of great finesse that gently eliminates dead cells accumulated on the skin's surface.
Moisturize your body parts.
Every day and especially after scrubbing, remember to apply moisturizing cream regularly to your knees and elbows to keep them hydrated. You can use our 10-ingredient moisturizing body cream or our nourishing body cream with squalane, shea butter (INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter) and plum vegetable oil (INCI: Prunus Domestica (Plum) Seed Oil).
Protect your elbows and knees from the sun.
Like other parts of the body, these areas can also develop skin hyperpigmentation due to repeated exposure to the sun (lentigo). UV rays can promote the production of melanin in an irregular manner, resulting in brown spots. Always apply sun protection to your skin in general before any exposure.
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