How to Get Rid of Dark Elbows

Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD

Last Updated: July 30, 2024 Fact Checked

Sun exposure and a buildup of dead skin cells can cause the skin on your elbows to appear darker than the skin on the rest of your body. If this is bothersome during the summer months or you are embarrassed to be seen in a T-shirt, don't fret! There are several natural remedies and skin care techniques which will help you rid yourself of worrisome dark coloration on your elbows and knees!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using home remedies

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1
Use lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid which is a natural bleaching agent. Therefore, applying lemon juice to elbows can help to lighten the skin. To use:
- Cut a large lemon in half. Squeeze out some of the juice from both halves so that you have two hollow halves or "cups". Rub each lemon cup over your elbows.
- You can rub away any excess pulp, but don't wash your elbows for about 3 hours. This gives the lemon juice time to act more deeply.
- Wash off the lemon juice with some warm water. As lemon juice can be drying, you should moisturize the area with your favorite body moisturizer.
- Repeat this every day until the dark skin begins to fade. You should see a significant difference within a couple of weeks.
2
Apply heavy cream and turmeric if you have a dark complexion. A mixture of heavy cream and turmeric works well to lighten the skin on elbows, particularly on people with dark skin tones. Turmeric is a natural bleaching agent which helps to reduce melanin in the skin.
- Get some heavy cream (or milk with a high fat content) and boil it until it thickens and becomes clotted.
- Mix in a half teaspoon of turmeric and blend into a paste.
- Apply this paste to your elbows (and knees) using a circular motion, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it off with water.
- Be aware that turmeric can dye the skin a yellowish-orange color that’s especially noticeable on pale skin. The color will fade after a day or two.
- You can also substitute yogurt for the heavy cream. You won’t need to boil it to achieve the same color-changing effect.
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3
Make a paste using milk and baking soda. This remedy helps to lighten elbows as milk contains lactic acid which reduces skin pigmentation, while the baking soda helps to exfoliate dead skin cells.
- Mix enough milk to turn the baking soda into a paste.
- Apply on your elbows and gently scrub it in a circular motion. Do this for about 3 minutes or until you notice that your skin is lighter.
4
Try mixing yogurt and vinegar or lemon juice. These combinations contains both lactic and acetic acid, which each help lighten your skin color.
- To use, combine one teaspoon of yogurt with one teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and mix until they form a consistent paste.
- Apply to your elbows by rubbing in a circular motion. Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes, and then rinse off and moisturize.
5
Create a mixture of almonds, buttermilk, and oatmeal. Buttermilk can lighten your skin by bleaching and moisturizing it.^{[1]
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Research source} Oatmeal and almonds can both work as exfoliants and remove dead skin cells.
- Grind the oatmeal and almonds and combine them with the buttermilk to create a paste.
- Rub the paste onto your elbows in a circular motion.
- Let the paste sit on your elbows for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off with water.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Exfoliating and Moisturizing

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1
Scrub your elbows. Use a loofah or washcloth to apply exfoliating shower gel to remove excess dead skin cells from your elbows. These dry, flaky skin cells can become trapped in the elbow creases, causing your skin to have a dark or dull appearance. Just remember not to scrub too hard or too frequently, as this may hinder natural oil production and cause your skin to produce extra cells. This can make your elbows even darker. Scrub gently just once or twice a week.^{[3]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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- You can exfoliate up to 3 times a week if you're prone to very dull, dry skin.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
- Alternatively, you can make your own sugar scrub by mixing 2 parts sugar (white or brown) and 1 part oil (almond, coconut, or olive).
- You can also use a chemical exfoliant that uses glycolic acid, which is naturally found in honey; lactic acid, which is present in milk; or citric acid, which comes from fruit.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
2
Moisturize your skin after scrubbing. Dry skin causes skin to darken, so remember to keep your elbows moisturized.^{[6]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source} It's especially important to moisturize after you exfoliate, because once you get through the dead skin layer, you need to lock hydration into the deeper skin cells.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
- Moisturize after each shower or bath (as hot water can act to remove natural oils from your skin), before you go to bed at night, and before you leave the house in the morning. For best results, use lotions which contain shea butter, jojoba oil, or olive oil.^{[8]
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  Research source}
- A heavy duty treatment is to apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly, coconut oil, or pure shea butter directly to your elbows before bed, then cover with a "sock sleeve" fashioned by cutting the foot of cotton tube socks. It is best to leave the protective sleeve on throughout the night, if you are able. Doing so allows you to apply a massive amount of moisturizer to your elbows without ruining your sheets. Additionally, the sock sleeve helps retain your body heat and liquefy the moisturizer, thereby assisting the absorption by your skin.
3
Wear sunscreen. Sun exposure can cause damage skin and make the skin on elbows and knees darker, so it's important to apply sunscreen before all outdoor excursions and activities.^{[9]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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- Harmful UV rays are present even when it's cloudy or raining, so you should make a point to wear sunscreen all year round. It might even be a good idea to make sunscreen application part of your morning routine.

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Question

Why do I have dark elbows?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Dark elbows can be caused by dryness, dirt, or some dark elbows are simply due to hereditary reasons.

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Question

Can we use these remedies on our knees? Or any other dark area?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can use these remedies on knees but they should not be used on sensitive areas, such as your face. On other areas such as hands, I'd recommend either yogurt and vinegar or lemon juice. The turmeric remedy is not recommended for hands and feet as it will stain skin and nails.

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Question

Can I use lemon and turmeric together?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You should not combine lemon and turmeric, as the acid in the lemon turns the turmeric bright red, which can stain the skin noticeably.

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Tips

Dark elbows are sometimes caused by medications, hormones, or genetic factors. If the darkness has developed suddenly or with changes in medication or health, see a doctor.^{[10]
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If the lemon treatment stings unbearably, your skin is cracked, in which case you should moisturize until this condition is relieved, then take up the lemon treatments.

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Don't sit on your knees and don't put weight on your elbows, which darkens them by putting pressure on the skin. This also prevents them from getting proper blood flow.

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Make sure you don't go outside after putting lemon juice on. It can cause blisters.
Make sure to test any product on a small area first if you have sensitive skin.

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