Dry elbows often hold more pigmentation, which is why you sometimes find that your elbows are darker than the rest of your body. Especially prevalent in those with dark skin, dark elbows can be remedied with a combination of exfoliation, moisture and occasionally prescription treatment. Darkened elbows could be the sign of an underlying medical condition, so it's important that you talk to your doctor or dermatologist about treatment options and to explore the cause of your dark elbows.
Step 1
Exfoliate your elbows once or twice weekly. The skin on your elbows is thicker than that of the rest of your body, which means it's more susceptible to drying out and dry skin can look darker if you already have dark skin. You can exfoliate with a mixture of one cup brown sugar and three tbsp. olive oil. Los Angeles plastic surgeon Raffy Karamanoukian suggests to RealSelf.com that microdermabrasion or a chemical peel can help exfoliate in a dermatologist's office.
Step 2
Apply a good-quality moisturizer to your elbows as often as possible to avoid the dry, thick skin that can make your elbows look dark. Susan Taylor notes in her book, "Brown Skin: Dr. Susan Taylor's Prescription for Flawless Skin, Hair, and Nails" that you can use moisturizers that contain skin-lightening agents as long as they're purchased over the counter and used for three weeks or less. Your dermatologist can suggests creams effective in lightening skin and banishing dark elbows.
Step 3
Use barrier lotion on your elbows when applying self tanner. The thick, dry skin on your elbows absorbs more color when you apply a spray-on or self tanning lotion. What you see as a long-term problem on your elbows may actually be a problem with your self tanner application. Your knees and the bottoms of your feet can have a similar reaction to self tanner, so make sure to protect them with barrier lotion as well.
Step 4
Avoid drying soaps and products that leave your skin feeling parched after usage. Remember that the drier your skin, the darker your elbows.
Step 5
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if simple creams and moisturizers don't seem to remedy the problem. Your dark elbows may be the result of something more serious than dry skin. Dark elbows can be the result of endocrine diseases, hyperpigmentation, vitiligo or a reaction to a medication that you're currently taking, according to Medline Plus. Together with your doctor you can explore your options so your dark elbows are treated along with any other symptoms you may be experiencing.
References
- RealSelf.com: Procedures for Dark Elbows and Knees?
- "Brown Skin: Dr. Susan Taylor's Prescription for Flawless Skin, Hair, and Nails": Susan C. Taylor; 2004
- Medline Plus: Skin, Abnormally Light or Dark
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