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To lighten your elbows and reduce stains in this area, there are several natural treatments that can be used, such as bicarbonate, lemon and hydrogen peroxide, for example. In addition to ointments that contain substances such as vitamin A, retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide, which can be found in pharmacies and cosmetic stores.
It is worth remembering that during and after the whitening process it is important to have daily care such as gently exfoliating the area weekly and applying moisturizing creams or oils every day, to prevent them from getting dark again.
Usually the dark spots that appear on the elbows are due to friction with clothes, accumulation of melanin, dryness of the skin and genetic predisposition.
The best natural treatments to lighten your elbows are:
1. hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a great natural lightener and its effect can be seen in the first days.
Ingredients:
- 10 volumes hydrogen peroxide;
- Water;
- Gauze;
- Moisturizing cream or oil.
Preparation mode:
In a plastic container mix the hydrogen peroxide and the water in equal parts. Then moisten the gauze with the mixture and apply to the elbows for 20 minutes. At the end, wash with soap and water and apply moisturizing cream or oil. Repeat this process twice a week.
2. Olive oil and sugar
This mixture will exfoliate and moisturize your dark elbows while removing the layers of dry skin, thus helping in the lightening process.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Preparation mode:
Mix all the ingredients and exfoliate your elbows for 2 minutes, then wash the area with soap and water and dry with a soft towel.
3. Baking soda and lemon
The citric acid present in the lemon together with the bicarbonate will lighten the skin while removing dead cells.
Ingredients:
- Juice of half a lemon;
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Preparation mode:
Mix the ingredients and apply on the elbows massaging gently for 1 minute, then wash well and apply moisturizing oil or cream.
After applying lemon to the skin, any type of sun exposure should be avoided before washing the skin thoroughly, as the lemon can cause the appearance of new spots or lead to the development of a sunburn.
4. Rice water
Rice water has astringent properties, in addition to niacin and kojic acid, substances that can assist in the process of whitening the elbows.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of rice tea;
- 250 mL of water.
Preparation mode:
Soak raw rice in water for 12 hours. Then, with a cotton pad apply on the elbows and let dry. Repeat this process twice a day.
5. Aloe Vera
The gel present inside the aloe vera leaf, also called aloe vera, has astringent and moisturizing properties that prevent skin darkening.
Ingredient:
- 1 leaf of aloe;
- 1 glass of water.
Preparation mode:
Cut the aloe leaf in half and remove the gel immediately after soaking this gel in filtered water for 30 minutes. Then strain the water and apply the gel on the elbow for 15 minutes. At the end, wash and apply moisturizing cream or oil.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- J DRUGS DERMATOL. Natural ingredients for darker skin types: growing options for hyperpigmentation. 2013. Available at:. Accessed on 10 Sep 2020
- SKIN RESEARCH AND TECHONOLOGY. In vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo efficacy of topical formulations containing vitamin C and its derivatives studied by non-invasive methods. Available in: . Accessed on 10 Sep 2020
- AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATION. HOW TO FADE DARK SPOTS IN SKIN OF COLOR. Available in: . Accessed on 10 Sep 2020
- RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR MEDICINES (IMED.ULISBOA). Rice Water: A Traditional Ingredient with Anti-Aging Efficacy. 2018. Available at:. Accessed on 10 Sep 2020
- MED PLANT On The Novel Action of Melanolysis by a Leaf Extract of Aloe vera and Its Active Ingredient Aloin, Potent Skin Depigmenting Agents. 2012. Available at:. Accessed on 11 Nov 2020