If we consider cosmetic defects not only from the point of view of attractiveness, they are all a signal of a malfunction of some organ. The dermis is an indicator of the state of the immune system, gastrointestinal tract and internal glands. One of these alarming defects is darkening of the skin on any part of the body. Quite often people come to beauty salons with such a problem as the appearance of dark spots on the elbows.
To understand why this happens, why the skin begins to take on a red or black tint, internal causes should be considered. Only by knowing the main factor can you understand how to remove dark spots or roughness on the elbows.
Problems with the elbows usually begin with thickening, then peeling occurs with detachment of the upper layer of the dermis. Eventually they become rough and darken, almost black in color.
Doctors can answer why this happens and how to cope with darkening of the elbows. It is quite difficult to deal with this problem on your own, since often the cause of the spots lies in some kind of disease.
Possible reasons for the appearance of a dark spot in the elbow area:
- lack of vitamins or microelements in the body, seasonal vitamin deficiency - this is the most common reason when the body lacks B vitamins, which leads to pigmentation problems, drying out, peeling, and ultimately dark red spots appear;
- chronic dermatological diseases, including psoriasis - this is an incurable disease that manifests itself as peeling in the joint area, and the skin may change color and crusts appear on it;
- dysfunction of the thyroid gland, hypothyroidism is a serious deviation, which is always accompanied by a change in the color of the dermis, a deterioration in its condition, in which case treatment is required, after which the problem goes away on its own;
- violation of the intestinal microflora - darkening of the elbows in this case is associated with the treatment of this disease, namely, taking antibiotics that interfere with the production of vitamin B, causing the skin to change color;
- dehydration, private traumatic injury, hypothermia, chapping.
The cause may also be other systemic diseases, especially infections, fungal infections, and lichen. Diabetes mellitus can also be the main factor in the appearance of dark spots, since with this disease the skin suffers significantly and its regenerative function deteriorates. It is impossible to diagnose all of the listed deviations on your own, and before trying to remove the consequences, you should visit a doctor and identify the root cause.
Care for prevention and treatment
In some cases, this problem is not associated with diseases and the cause is the influence of unfavorable factors directly on the dermis. In this case, it is possible to cope with the problem yourself, remove dark areas without medical care. This can be done by proper care, but in some cases a power change will be required.
Typically, this problem occurs during periods of temperature change, that is, in summer and winter. It is recommended at this time to use the cream daily to moisturize the entire surface of the skin, up to the shoulder. At the pharmacy you can purchase special preventive ointments that prevent the appearance of roughness, redness and irritation. It is recommended to use them as soon as the first signs of disturbance appear.
We should not forget about the importance of vitamin complexes, which should be taken regularly. To improve the condition of the epidermis, you should exclude fatty and heavy foods from your diet. Indeed, if the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract organs is disrupted, the symptoms are reflected in appearance.
What you can do yourself
Useful procedures for prevention:
The first results after home treatments can be observed within two weeks. There is no need to stop care as soon as the pigmented areas have disappeared, because elbows need constant care. When the condition has improved, prevention can be continued, but using fewer products.
You can still continue to use moisturizer, massage and watch your diet. You can temporarily cancel scrubs, compresses and the use of oils.
From some sources you can hear such advice on removing stains as treating them with lemon juice or even vinegar. Doing this is highly discouraged, as you can get burned, further aggravating the problem.
Help from professionals
If you can’t do anything about dark spots on your elbows at home, it’s better to consult a cosmetologist. A specialist may suggest special lightening procedures. In addition to a cosmetologist, a nutritionist can help if the cause of dark spots is a digestive disorder. In severe cases, you will have to consult an endocrinologist or dermatologist. This is necessary if the color disturbance is accompanied by other unpleasant sensations in the body or external changes.
To eliminate this defect, the salon may offer a procedure such as lightening peeling. The results will be visible after a few days, the skin will become uniform shade and becomes smooth. A similar procedure, but deeper, is medical peeling. It is carried out in cases where pigmentation has occurred against the background of serious changes, including diseases of the thyroid gland, and it is not possible to remove the spots on your own due to irreversible processes in the elbow area.
At various sites human body The skin differs in density, thickness of the epidermal layer, and therefore in properties. Elbows and knees suffer from constant friction, the skin in these places becomes rough, dark, rough, looks untidy and is unpleasant to the touch. There are many ways to get rid of black elbows, but they all require patience and an integrated approach to solving the problem.
Why are my elbows dark and rough?
The habit of leaning on your elbows while eating, working at the computer, or leisure time leads to the fact that the skin in these places becomes dense, rough, and new cells grow unevenly. Even at a young age, the skin on the elbows can look much older than biological age.
Additional causes of dark, sloppy elbows include:
- Hypovitaminosis. Deficiency of vitamins A, E, C, D has a particularly strong effect on the skin condition;
- Thyroid dysfunction – lack of hormones;
- Skin diseases
Before you start looking for recipes to soften the skin on your elbows, lighten it and return your elbows to their neatness. healthy looking, possible pathologies should be excluded.
Diseases require, first of all, complex treatment, after which the unpleasant symptoms will go away.
How to whiten elbows at home
Before trying recipes that eliminate dark spots on the elbows, you should pay close attention to your daily behavior, the way you sit during work and rest.
If you analyze the load on the skin of your elbows during the day, it will become obvious that your hands rest with your elbows on the table, back of a chair or sofa quite often. This habit must be fought!
In addition, clothes made of hard, coarse fabric rub the elbows when worn, injuring the skin. This triggers the mechanism of cell coarsening, their excessive division and the development of hyperkeratosis - thickening of the skin in a certain place. In this case, on the elbows.
Taking vitamin complexes in spring and autumn will not be superfluous; you should give preference to balanced preparations designed to maintain beauty and health (“Cosmetic”, “Beauty”).
Vitamins enter the body with food, so the diet must include:
- Vegetables and fruits rich in carotene (red and orange) - carrots, peppers, apples, pumpkin, beets, sweet potatoes, viburnum;
- Broccoli, wild garlic, garlic, seaweed, lettuce, spinach, potatoes;
- Sour cream, cottage cheese, butter, processed cheese and feta cheese;
- Vegetable oils;
- Nuts;
- Liver, pork (fat and meat), chicken;
- Salmon, herring, seafood
Traditional treatment for black elbows
Methods that offer to eliminate dryness and darkening of the elbows are varied.
Citric acid
Citric acid has a whitening effect on the skin. Lemon juice is used to combat freckles and age spots, it will also help with black elbows.
Mix a little oatmeal with sour milk to the consistency of thick porridge, add lemon juice, apply to the skin of the elbows. Cover the top with a gauze napkin. After 15-20 minutes, rinse with warm water and lubricate the skin with a rich, nourishing cream.
If the skin on your elbows is excessively dry and prone to cracking, you should choose another method.
Cucumber
Cucumber juice contains large number acids, has a bleaching effect, therefore it is used in the fight against black elbows.
Small pieces of fresh cucumber are applied to the skin of the elbows for 15 minutes, and wrapped with cling film on top.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal not only a healthy dish that helps normalize digestion and maintain optimal body weight, but also a means to lighten the skin.
Pour oatmeal with warm milk or water, leave for 10 minutes to swell, then apply to the skin of the elbow joints, covering with polyethylene on top.
The duration of the procedure and frequency are not of fundamental importance.
Egg yolk
Egg yolk carefully separate from the protein, add 2 tbsp. l. glycerin (it is sold at the pharmacy), lightly beat until smooth and lubricate the elbows with the resulting mixture.
The procedure not only lightens the skin, but also makes it softer and more pleasant to the touch.
Burdock decoction
Burdock is not only a weed that grows everywhere, but also a medicinal plant widely used in folk and traditional medicine.
Burdock decoction is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp. l. crushed leaves or rhizomes of burdock, pour 0.2 liters of water and boil over low heat for 15 minutes.
The broth must be left for another 40 minutes, strained and used to prepare baths.
Burdock oil
It works simpler and more efficiently. Before applying it, it is recommended to steam your elbows, remove dead skin with a scrub and a stiff brush, and then apply burdock oil, rubbing it into the skin with massage movements.
Bread crumb
A good cosmetic effect is obtained by using bread crumb (you need black “brick” bread, it is the crumb that has high acidity) soaked in milk or curdled milk (kefir).
Whitening baths
To prepare whitening baths, sauerkraut, whey, sour cream are used - the acid contained in these products lightens dark problematic skin.
Decoction of oatmeal, potato or corn starch is used as cosmetic product: elbow baths lasting 15-20 minutes will significantly refresh the skin.
Baking soda
If the skin on the elbows is not prone to dryness, cracking, or peeling, then the blackness can be removed by mechanical action.
The bath is pre-prepared: 1 tsp is required for 1 liter of water. baking soda and 1 tsp. table salt.
The elbows are kept in water for 15 minutes, then softened particles of the epithelium are removed using a brush or a hard washcloth.
Cosmetic malo shea, jojoba, and peach oil will help soften irritated, dry skin on the elbows. In the absence essential oils You can use olive oil, vitamins A and E in capsules.
What to do if there is no time and opportunity to prepare decoctions, solutions, baths? Buy an ointment or cream with a whitening effect at the pharmacy and regularly lubricate the skin of your elbows.
Cosmetic procedures with their constant use will give the desired effect, but the body needs help in the form of vitamins. In addition, it is very important to reduce the load on your elbows and not lean when working at the computer, sitting on the sofa, or at the table.
Has the skin on your elbows become rough and dark? Worth getting excited about. It’s better to find out the reason for this change in skin color and begin to solve this problem.
1 Most often, the skin on the elbows darkens and becomes rough from pressure or friction. After all, few people sit at their desks the way they were taught in school. Most likely, leaning on your elbows. With prolonged compression, the epidermis (outer layer of skin) thickens, the elbows darken and become rough to the touch.
2 Lack of vitamins. A deficiency of B vitamins leads to pigmentation disorders and the appearance of dark spots on the skin of the elbows. Replenish your vitamins urgently! We eat whole grain bread and yeast. Nuts and vegetables are a good idea, as a lack of vitamins A and E can also cause discoloration and dry skin.
3 Dermatological diseases such as psoriasis lead to thickening of the skin on the elbows and knees and, accordingly, the appearance of cracks. When expanding blood vessels redness of the skin and the appearance of a white coating occurs.
4 Some infectious diseases skin infections (lichen, mycosis, etc.) cause damage to the skin, changing its color.
5 One of the symptoms diabetes mellitus is "acanthosis nigricans". At the same time, not only the elbows darken, but also the skin in the abdomen and groin area. If such changes occur, you should consult a doctor.
Always pay attention to the signals your body sends. Be sure to undergo a comprehensive examination: check the condition of the thyroid gland, blood sugar levels, the presence (absence) of allergic reactions and skin diseases.
If everything is in order in your body, then dark elbows are only a cosmetic problem and can be eliminated using the following folk remedies:
Ammonia
1 teaspoon of ammonia should be diluted in 1 liter of warm water with the addition of 5 ml of liquid soap. It is better to divide the resulting solution into two containers, so it will be better to take baths for your elbows. This procedure is best done in the evening while watching a movie, as it takes at least 15 minutes.
lemon
Thinly sliced lemon pieces should be secured to the elbows with a bandage. After half an hour, remove this “compress”. With regular use of lemon, within a couple of weeks the skin on your elbows will begin to lighten, become softer and more pleasant to the touch.
Potatoes
Raw potatoes, grated, are applied to the skin of the elbows and secured with a bandage. The only inconvenience is that such a compress must be left on for several hours. Therefore, it is better to apply it before bedtime.
Apple cider vinegar
Dilute apple cider vinegar with warm water in a ratio of 2:3. Soak cotton pads with the resulting solution and apply them to your elbows. Secure with a bandage and leave for half an hour.
To avoid problems such as darkening of the skin on your elbows, follow these recommendations:
- drink enough water;
- humidify the air at home;
- take multivitamin complexes;
- care for the skin of your elbows using pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory creams;
- use olive oil and grape seeds.
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In some cases, men and women get scared when they accidentally notice that the skin on their elbows is dark and rough. Others, on the contrary, treat this problem very lightly, believing that getting rid of it will not be difficult for them.
In reality, such changes in the skin may actually indicate the presence of serious diseases in the body and, moreover, in most cases, correcting this defect turns out to be quite difficult.
In this article we will tell you why the skin on the elbows may become darker than on other parts of the body, and what to do in this situation.
Why can the skin on the elbows be dark and dry?
In some cases, the cause of keratinization and darkening of these areas of the body is the completely harmless habit of sitting at the table, leaning on it with your elbows. In such a situation, quite strong friction and compression occurs, which leads to a change in the color of the skin and its structure.
In addition, sometimes this situation occurs during the heating season, when the skin is constantly exposed to excessively dry air, or in hot summers, if the dermis is regularly exposed to sunlight.
However, if some people notice that the skin on their elbows is becoming darker, they begin to wonder if this is a sign of some kind of disease. In fact, this is correct, since by promptly drawing the attention of your doctor to this unpleasant symptom, you can begin treatment of some diseases at an early stage and prevent serious complications.
Thus, dry, dark and rough skin on the elbows may indicate the following ailments:
- Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine diseases. As a rule, it is malfunctions in the thyroid gland that lead to disruption of the nutrition of all cells of the body. In addition, the rate of skin restoration slows down significantly, and metabolic processes, exfoliation of dead cells does not occur, as a result of which unsightly rough spots appear on the human body. Against the background of all the changes occurring in the human body under the influence of insufficient or, conversely, excessive production of hormones, the dermis in different areas becomes very thin and dry. Typically, with endocrine disorders, the skin becomes dark and rough not only on the elbows, but also on the knees and heels;
- Various autoimmune and dermatological diseases can also cause all sorts of changes in the nature and color of the skin. These can be both well-known neurodermatitis and dermatitis, and quite rare ichthyosis, scleroderma and other ailments;
- Quite often, during an examination of a patient whose elbows are rough and dark, it turns out that he has low hemoglobin levels and iron deficiency anemia. This condition leads to the fact that dermal cells do not receive the nutrients they need;
- Finally, in some cases, a sign such as dark elbows indicates lack of vitamins A and E in the human body.
How to get rid of dark and dry skin on elbows?
First of all, in order to find out why such changes in the skin occurred, you need to consult a qualified doctor and undergo a full examination.
In particular, you should definitely take blood tests to determine the level of thyroid hormones, glucose and hemoglobin.
If everything is fine in the functioning of your body, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Regularly take a multivitamin complex containing vitamins A and E;
- During the day you need to drink at least 2 liters of water and other liquids. This way you can ensure sufficient hydration of the dermis from the inside;
- Use a humidifier. This is especially important during the heating season;
- Avoid taking hot baths. A light warm shower has a much lesser effect on the skin;
- When washing rough areas, do not use soap, shower gels and other cosmetics;
- Regularly lubricate damaged areas of the skin with creams and ointments containing anti-inflammatory components.
What folk remedies can help combat such symptoms?
Traditional medicine offers several effective ways, which can help restore the normal state of damaged dermis on the elbows and other areas of the body.
The following recipes will allow you to prepare useful medicines to get rid of dark and rough skin:
- Take a medium-sized lemon and cut it into thin round slices. Using an elastic bandage, secure these circles to the damaged areas. This folk remedy should be kept on the skin for approximately 30-40 minutes, then removed and spread on dark elbows with nourishing cream. If you repeat this procedure daily, after 2-3 weeks you will be able to notice a noticeable result - your skin will become much softer and lighter;
- Peel the raw potatoes and then grate them on a fine grater. The resulting pulp should be applied to the skin, wrapped with regular gauze or a bandage and left for an hour or more. This procedure should also be carried out every day;
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar mix with 2 tablespoons of clean boiled water. In the prepared solution, moisten several cotton pads and place them on dark and rough elbows. Such a compress also needs to be secured with a bandage or any cloth and left for half an hour.
In addition, such lotions or compresses should be alternated with medicinal baths.
To prepare them, use the following recipes:
- Dissolve 50 grams in one liter of boiled water baking soda and 100 grams of table salt. You should soak your elbows in the resulting liquid for about 20 minutes, then carefully treat with pumice, wipe dry with a hard towel and apply a nourishing fatty cream. This procedure helps normalize blood circulation and cleanse the skin of dead cells and various impurities. Instead of ordinary water, you can use potato broth, in this case the effect will be noticeable much faster;
- You can also dissolve 1 teaspoon of ammonia and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in a liter of water. It is necessary to keep the damaged areas in such a bath for 20-30 minutes. The effect of this procedure is achieved quite quickly; after 1-2 weeks you will be able to notice significant changes.
After all the above procedures, it is useful to lubricate areas of dark and rough skin with grape seed oil, black cumin seed oil or ordinary olive oil.
Darkened skin on the elbows can warn of malfunctions of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland. Dry epidermis with signs of flaking sometimes indicates a deficiency of tocopherol and retinol. Before using any whitening products, you need to check your hormone levels and the concentration of vitamins A and E in your blood. Review your diet and old habits. Pick up the right means for body skin care, because sometimes dark spots appear due to soap or cream.
Nutrition rules
The epidermis is constantly injured by those who like to lean their elbows on a table or other hard surfaces. Due to regular damage, the skin in the joint area becomes dry and acquires a “dirty” tint. Most often these areas are affected in summer time, because in winter they are protected by thick clothing with long sleeves.
In order for your elbows to stop peeling and darkening, you need to get rid of bad habit. When eating, hands are folded on the knees. Only rest your forearms on the table, and your elbow joints should hang down. Upper limbs are in a similar position when working at a computer. Don't rest your chin on your fist.
You can put a regular rubber band on your wrist, which is used to tighten stacks of money, and for each violation of the rule, lightly pull it back and release it. This method allows you to form new reflexes and get rid of old habits.
If your hormones are in order, but your elbows remain dark even with regular use of creams and scrubs, you should reconsider your eating habits. The skin takes on a dirty color in those who follow strict diets. If there is a lack of certain vitamins, substances responsible for restoring the upper layers of the epidermis are not produced. And then it becomes thinner, becomes covered with microscopic cracks and begins to peel off.
For people with dark or even black elbows, foods rich in tocopherol and beta-carotene are recommended:
- fish oil;
- beef and pork liver;
- chicken and quail yolks;
- hard cheeses;
- cod liver;
- sweet potato;
- bell pepper and broccoli;
- carrots and lettuce;
- spinach and green peas;
- apricots and melons;
- blueberries and dried fruits;
- fresh rose hips and sesame seeds;
- pumpkin and legumes;
- beef, turkey and natural cow's milk.
Dishes with tocopherol and beta-carotene should be seasoned with vegetable or butter, or sour cream. Fats are necessary for the absorption of nutrients. None without them positive results there won't be.
Baths and the right cream
If your elbows not only darken, but become dry and rough to the touch, they need hydration. Any nourishing cream containing jojoba, macadamia, shea or apricot oils will do.
Herbal baths have lightening properties:
- yarrow;
- dandelion;
- parsley stems and roots.
You can add a little honey or glycerin to the decoctions. Sometimes warm cow's milk is used instead of water. Natural base not only brightens darkened areas, but also perfectly moisturizes, triggering the regeneration of the upper layers of the epidermis. Bleaching solutions are prepared from 1 liter of any liquid and 50–60 g of plants.
Baking soda can help with spots on elbows. The nutritional supplement is mixed with a small amount of liquid soap or shower gel. Pour into warm water and stir until foam appears. The elbows are dipped in the lightening solution for 10-15 minutes, and then gently treated with a pumice stone to remove the layer of dead skin.
After the procedure, rub a mixture of coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil and glycerin into dry areas. Wrap your elbows with bandages and cling film to create the effect of a steam bath. Nourishing mask leave for 6–8 hours. A bath with soda is done once a week so that the skin has time to recover. Herbs can be used more often. They are not as aggressive and whiten problem areas more gently.
Ammonia has brightening properties. For 2 liters of water heated to 37–40 degrees, you will need 30–40 ml of product. Plus 2 tsp. liquid soap. The solution is divided into two parts, poured into wide bowls and dipped your elbows in it for 20 minutes. After the procedure, problem areas are rinsed with warm water and a nourishing cream is rubbed into the darkened epidermis.
Lotions and compresses
To make the “nickel” disappear in 3–4 weeks, baths are combined with lotions. The cheapest option is potato. You will need a medium sized tuber. It must be cleaned of dirt. Cut in half and apply to the elbows.
Starch, which is contained in potato juice, has whitening and moisturizing properties. If the skin on your elbows not only darkens, but also constantly becomes covered with cracks, you need to prepare a disinfectant mask. The tuber is no longer cut, but crushed and mixed with honey. Proportions are 2 to 1.
The mass is spread on “nickels” and fixed with compress paper or a bandage with cling film. The potato composition must be kept for 8–10 hours, so the lotion is often used before bedtime. And in the morning, wash off and rub a cream with a whitening effect into the dark areas.
It is useful to treat elbows with a scrub. For “dirty” stains, two options are recommended:
- Salt and soda, mixed in equal proportions. Dilute with shower gel or liquid soap.
- Coffee grounds and honey. It is not necessary to follow exact proportions. The main thing is that it turns out to be a thick paste.
If oils and aloe do not work, you should resort to lemon. A slice of citrus is tied to the coin for 30–40 minutes. And after the procedure, Vaseline is rubbed into problem areas, because fruit acids dry out the skin.
To make your elbows several shades lighter, you need to regularly use baths, scrubs and creams. Eat a diet rich in vitamin A and tocopherol. And if the skin does not change color, be sure to consult a doctor, because dark “nickels” can indicate serious health problems.
Video: super remedy for dark elbows and knees
