How To Lighten Dark Knees and Elbows In Dark Skin

Our knees and elbows tend to be some of the most neglected parts of our body when it comes to our skincare routine. As long as our skin feels soft and smooth all over, we don’t often give our knees & elbows a second thought.

However, not giving these parts enough tender loving care can lead to the build-up of dry and rough skin. This could cause a lot of irritation and discomfort, including feelings of self-consciousness when wearing clothes that expose those parts of the body.

Fortunately, there are several remedies to soften & lighten the look of this dry, scaly, and rough skin and help you achieve soft-feeling skin on your knees and elbows. We’ll touch on preventive tips while also recommending some Kanda body care products to enhance your skincare technique. So, let’s dive in!

What Do Dry & Dark Knees and Elbows Look Like?

Dark knees and elbows can look different on different people but the general signs of this condition, especially on dark skin of people of African descent include:

• Roughness and darkness compared to skin in other areas,
• Flaky and scaly skin in just those areas, and
• Peeling of the skin in those areas.

Causes Of Dark Knees and Elbows

Darkness of the skin at the knees and elbows can be a sign of an underlying condition like eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, or thyroid issues. It could also be a result of frequent friction and pressure from clothes, dehydration, and even the weather. Other causes of dark knees and elbows include:

• Chlorine in water at the pool,
• Frequent baths/showers,
• Harsh skincare products,
• Inadequate care of the skin on the knees & elbows,
• Build-up of dead skin,
• Unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking & alcohol consumption,
• Sun damage, and
• Ageing

How To Prevent Dark Knees and Elbows

Although this condition is especially prevalent in people with dark skin, it is possible to prevent it by limiting or completely avoiding the factors that are listed above under ‘causes’. Of course, we can’t prevent some of those factors like ageing, but we can incorporate steps in our skincare that will soften the feel of our elbows and knees, and invariably help us reduce the possibility of developing dark knees and elbows.

How To Treat Dark Knees and Elbows

Now to the fun stuff!

For some of us who already have dark knees and elbows, we can treat this condition by implementing a well-rounded skincare routine that considers the causes of the darkness. A dermatologist can help you create the right routine that can help you prevent dry patches while simultaneously softening existing rough spots. Don’t have a dermatologist? Read on for a breakdown of the steps you can follow to help improve the appearance and feel of dry and dark elbows and knees.

• Exfoliate: Use a body scrub or an exfoliating cleansing product like the Kanda Charcoal soap to slough off the built-up dry skin that contributes to the dryness and roughness of the skin in these areas. Remember to exfoliate at night so that your skin can heal through the night without the risk of contamination from pollutants that are more prevalent in the daytime.
• Oil: After you have cleansed and exfoliated the skin, you need to massage oils into your skin to replace any lost oil from the cleansing process. The Kanda Body Oils are made with a blend of nature’s finest plant oils, which are rich in Vitamins and powerful antioxidants, that help soothe inflammation and contain high omega-6 fatty acids, which help maintain the skin’s elasticity and overall health.
• Moisturise: This is a necessary follow-up to every wash, bath or shower. For maximum benefit, moisturise using products that include humectants that help attract moisture to your skin’s surface. Products like Kanda Body Balms are great moisturising products for this as they not only contain humectants but also a rich array of natural butters and oils that will keep your skin soft and supple.
• Re-moisturise: Yes, moisturising is so important you have to do it more than a few times per day (especially during the cold, dry harmattan months). The Body Balms’ moisturising formula is gentle on your skin, provides 24-hour hydration, and helps restore your skin’s protective barrier. So go ahead and lather it on as many times as you need to through the day.

Additional Tips For Caring For Dry Knees and Elbows

While doing all of the above, you can go the extra mile to prevent and/or treat dry and dark knees and elbows by:

• Avoiding products with drying ingredients that can irritate and dry out your skin.
• Avoiding the urge to cleanse or exfoliate these areas with extra force or pressure. Be gentle but consistent with your skincare routine to get satisfying results.
• Keeping your body hydrated from within to prevent it from getting dehydrated, flaky, dry and dull.
• Giving your knees & elbows a buffer from outside factors. It can be as simple as covering them up with clothes made of good-quality materials.

By changing your lifestyle coupled with regular exfoliation and moisturising, you will surely see visible improvements in the appearance of your knees and elbows soon. They deserve the same TLC you give to the rest of your skin.