2013-09-14



It is a wonderful feeling to prop yourself on your elbows and read a book or just simply day dream. But did you know that putting excessive pressure or friction on the elbows can cause it to darken with time, due to a build up of dead skin cells. Even the natural ageing process can make the elbows appear dark and unattractive. Irrespective of skin color most of us suffer from the annoying problem of dark elbows.

Unlike the face, most people pay little or no attention to their elbows. The result is dark and ugly looking elbows. Moisturizing and exfoliating the tough skin on the elbows regularly can do a world of good to this highly neglected area of the body. There are numerous tried and tested home remedies to lighten excessively dark elbows as well. Some simple but highly effective home remedies to lighten dark elbows are listed below.

Effective Home Remedies For Dark Elbows

Exfoliate

To lighten dark elbows and remove dead skin build up, exfoliate your elbows once a week. Regular exfoliation can help to soften the tough skin on the elbows as well. Use a loofah, or scrub the elbows with granulated sugar to remove dead skin and to lighten the color of the elbows.

Prepare a thick paste by mixing one tablespoon of gram flour or oats with one teaspoon of full cream milk. Apply this paste on the elbows and scrub the area for thirty seconds or more. Wash off the excess mixture with luke warm water.

Almonds

Dry grind one fistful of fresh almonds and store the almond meal in a dry container. Take one teaspoon of the almond powder and mix it with half a teaspoon of fresh yoghurt. Apply the almond meal and yoghurt paste evenly on the elbows. Leave the mixture on the elbows for forty minutes to one hour. Use a wet towel to remove the excess mixture.

Milk

To lighten the color of the elbows it is important moisturize this area of the body on a regular basis. To prepare this deeply hydrating mixture, combine three tablespoons of full cream milk with half a teaspoon of milk powder. Mix the ingredients to form a loose paste. Add two to three drops of sweet almond oil to the blend. Apply this mixture on the elbows and leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes. Use warm water to wash off the paste.

Glycerin And Rose Water

The humectant property of glycerin helps to retain moisture in the skin. This particular home remedy helps to moisturize the dry skin on the elbows and lighten the dark skin on this area as well. Mix one teaspoon of glycerin with half a teaspoon of rose water. Apply this mixture on the elbows overnight. Wash this mix off with luke warm water first thing in the morning.

Lime Juice

Regular application of lime juice can help to lighten and brighten the skin. The natural lightening property of lime juice is attributed to its high vitamin C content. For this particular home remedy, extract the juice of one lemon. Add four to five drops of extra virgin coconut oil to the lemon juice. Dip a cotton ball in this mixture.

Evenly apply the lemon juice and coconut oil mixture on the elbows. Leave the mixture on the elbows for half an hour. Wash off the excess mixture with luke warm water. Regular application of lime juice and coconut oil mixture for a month or so, can help to visibly lighten discolored skin on the elbows.

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