I love wearing dresses. If the weather permits, I always reach for a fun patterned dress instead of jeans. I was definitely born in the wrong generation!
But one day, I noticed that my knees seemed to be a few shades darker than the rest of my skin. It was like it happened overnight, and I was not happy. I needed to find out how to get rid of dark knees, and fast!
So I did some research and found out that I’m not alone. If you too suffer from dark knees, keep reading to learn how to get rid of dark knees once and for all.
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What Causes Dark Knees?
There are two main reasons linked to dark knees.
The first is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If your skin goes through any type of trauma, healing may leave the skin darker than it was before the injury.
This could be the reason behind your dark knees, especially if the darkness is patchy or resembles a previous deep cut or scrape.
The more common explanation is photocontact dermatitis. It’s no secret that we put some less-than-friendly chemicals on our skin.
Fragrances and dyes in skin lotions, creams, and other products can irritate our skin. For some, the skin becomes red and maybe itchy, and then heals.
But for others, the irritated skin reacts with light and begins to darken. Have you noticed red skin after applying a lotion, soap, or an exfoliating product?
If so, photocontact dermatitis is the more likely explanation for your dark knees.
How to Lighten Dark Knees Quickly
Luckily, it’s possible to get rid of dark knees with a plan and a bit of dedication.
If you’re as impatient as I am, you want to know how to get rid of black knees as quickly as possible. So here is the fastest way to treat dark knees and elbows (another part of the body that can be affected), based on my results:
1. Take a lemon and cut it in half.
2. Squeeze out a bit of juice from each half into two small cups.
3. Take one lemon half and rub it on one knee for 10 minutes. Repeat on the other knee with the other lemon half.
4. Use the saved lemon juice to rinse away any pulp.
This remedy works quickly for several reasons. First, lemon is an antioxidant. It helps to remove any bacteria and ensures that the skin is clean.
Second, lemon also has bleaching properties, which are perfect for lightening dark skin. Third, the texture is also a natural exfoliant, which can remove dark skin cells and promote new and healthier cell production.
This treatment is one of the best treatments to use when trying to get rid of dark knees.
Home Remedies to Treat Dark Knees
If you aren’t experiencing the results you wanted from the lemon treatment, here are a few other natural remedies that I’ve tried, with great results. You won’t be left wondering how to get rid of dark knees after learning about these homemade cures.
Olive Oil and Sugar
Mix together 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of sugar until you have a paste. Before showering, rub the paste onto your knees and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off.
Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, and Salt
This was one of my favorite ways to treat my dark knees. Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (preferably fresh) with a tablespoon of olive oil. Mix in half a cup of sea salt. Rub the mixture on your knees and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
If you find that the lemon juice is stinging your skin, your knees are probably too dry. Add a bit more olive oil for extra moisture.
Baking Soda and Milk
Baking soda is a great way to naturally whiten your teeth, and it works wonders on your skin as well. Mix baking soda and milk together to form enough paste to cover your knees. Rub it into your skin in circular motions.
This treatment is mild enough to be repeated every day until your desired results are achieved. It’s also an excellent preventative treatment.
How to Whiten Knees Using Calamansi
Have you heard of calamansi?
It’s a fruit that reminds me most of a Mandarin orange. It’s native to the Philippines and has found a home in natural remedies for a variety of ailments, including dark knees.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of dark underarms as well, this is a great option to try. The alkalizing effect of the juice can whiten skin with ease.
To use calamansi to lighten your knees, follow these simple instructions:
1. Place a few pieces of the fruit into a blender. Blend until a puree forms. You want to make sure that the fruit has been completely blended.
2. Place the fruit inside a towel and fold it to contain the puree. Wait for the juices to soak through the towel.
3. Next, rub the wettest parts of the towel on affected areas. Rub each knee for about 5 minutes.
This treatment can be repeated once a day for about a week. You should experience noticeable results within this time.
How to Make Your Knees Lighter Overnight
It’s difficult to make your knees noticeably lighter overnight. Some experience faster results with certain remedies than other people, but if you’re looking for the fastest way to lighten knees, I would recommend using a dark elbows and knees cream.
While natural remedies will work, they usually do take longer. So if you’re wondering how to make your knees lighter overnight, consider using a bleaching cream for dark knees.
Just make sure to keep the area moisturized, as these types of creams can quickly dry out the skin. Also, keep an eye out for irritation and allergic reactions as these can be a problem for some people.
But many experience fantastic and fast results with a skin bleaching lotion or cream.
The Best Ways to Hide or Cover Dark Knees
If you’re dealing with dark knees, you probably want to know how to hide them until you figure out how to get rid of dark knees completely. I know I did.
So I did one of two things. The first was to wear pants or longer dresses to hide my knees, but this was uncomfortable on hot days. Also, even if I wore a longer dress, my knees usually still showed when I sat down.
So if there was a chance that my knees might still become exposed, or I really wanted to wear a shorter dress or shorts, I put on leg makeup.
Now don’t make the mistake of just using some of your face foundation or primer on your knees. They make special makeup that is made just for your legs.
It helps to evenly cover either your entire leg or just where you need it to. It’s long-lasting and looks natural, as long as you buy the shade that’s closest to your natural skin tone.
How to Avoid Having Dark Knees
Once you’ve learned how to get rid of black knees, it’s time to learn how to prevent them in the future!
If your dark knees are caused by photocontact dermatitis, it’s time to start using natural ingredients on your body. It’s not difficult to make your own body lotion or body scrubs using ingredients that are probably all in your kitchen right now.
By avoiding fragrances, preservatives, and dyes, you lessen your risk of irritating your skin and developing photocontact dermatitis in the first place.
If your dark knees are the result of trauma, it’s safe to say the incident was an accident. If the injury was due to sports or exercise, do your best to prevent it in the future.
How to Treat Yourself Safely
Now that you know how to whiten your knees and underarms, it’s important to know how to do it safely.
When treating your dark knees, it’s always best to closely monitor the progress and keep a close eye out for allergic reactions or irritation. If you’re using any of the natural remedies discussed in this article, there is only a small risk.
Do not use a remedy if it utilizes an ingredient you’ve had bad reactions to in the past.
If you are using a skin bleaching lotion or another product made for dark knees and elbows, follow the directions closely. Don’t add more product than instructed.
This won’t help the product work faster. Instead, you’ll be putting yourself at a higher risk for a reaction.
If you do notice a reaction, either from a product or a natural remedy, stop the treatment and closely monitor the area. If the skin becomes overly irritated or painful, a visit to your dermatologist might be in order.
Side Effects of Common Treatments
When it comes to treating your dark knees, side effects are rare. The area might become irritated, especially if using a store-bought product with bleach.
You also might notice that the area begins to look patchy, but this should correct itself with time.
If your skin ever becomes blistered or severely swollen, stop all treatments and seek medical attention. During my treatments, I never experienced a negative reaction, and because I used just about all natural ingredients, I never worried too much about irritation.
You don’t need to suffer from dark knees any longer. While dark skin is more of a cosmetic issue than a true health concern, this doesn’t change how unappealing the condition can be.
If you want to show your legs and knees off with confidence, take advantage of any of the skin treatments previously listed. Now that you know how to get rid of dark knees, you can fill your closet with cute dresses and strut with confidence.
