My underarms and knees are darker than the rest of my body? What can I use to lighten them?

Question

or how can I bleach them?

Answer 1

If you can afford to visit a dermatologist, that's your best bet. If not, let me suggest the following:

It sounds as if your skin is reacting to the shaving of your underarms. You might try waxing for them, if you can tolerate it. (I've never had it done.) If you are reluctant to try waxing, then you might use a chemical hair removal method for your underarms, like Nair. Realize, however, that if your underarm skin is that sensitive, it might also react to the Nair.

For your knees, I'd recommend slathering some baby oil on them before you get into the shower or tub, allowing it to soften your knees, and then gentle buffing with a pumice stone. It's not abnormal for elbows and knees to be a little darker than the surrounding skin. Whatever you do, don't rub too hard with the pumice stone. You'll abrade your skin. Gentler is better.

There are over the counter gentle skin bleaching products that you can try for these two areas, as well. Just don't over do it (like Michael Jackson)! Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent, as well. (It will sting if you use it under your arms after shaving.) Use sparingly. Good luck.

Answer 2

You need to be careful with the skin under your arms as it is sensitive. I wouldn't worry too much about that. But the knees are tougher so perhaps try to soften the skin first with an intensive care hydration cream for very dry skin and then use a salt scrub. You can make a salt scrub yourself. But before you do anything you should consider going to a dermatologist to ask for a professional opinion because I would not want you to harm your skin based on the advice of people who do not know exactly what the condition of your skin is or how dark it is or why. Maybe it looks OK?

Answer 3

My mother has the same condition on her neck. It bothers her quite a bit so she went to the skin specialist. The specialist told her there was nothing she could really do. She had microdermabrasion done and it lightened her skin a little bit, but not much. I'ts not painfull but expensive. The doctor recommeded that she use a very strong sun screen. Like SPF 30 or more. You should wear the sun screen even in winter. Just to protect your knees at least. Good luck and I hope you find a solution for your pigmentation.

Answer 4

Bleaching them would be very bad. Chlorine destroys the phospholipid membranes of your cells....the darkening could be an indication of antioxidant deficiency as it is, so I would start eating green leafy vegetables, or a green powder from your local health food store...capsules, if you can't stomach the thought. Also, look into using licorice topically. It contains the only natural, safe phytonutrient I know of that can lighten/bleach dark spots. Just add licorice powder from capsules to a carrier oil like olive oil or jojoba and leave it on at night. I think you will see a difference.

Answer 5

Hello,

My solution would be:

First of all, if you are from an ethnic background, there is nothing you can do about your knees.
Your armpits, I assume you are using a razor and shaving. I would suggest another type of hair removal and try to find a skin toning cream that would be good to put on that area. Try Mary Kay or ask someone who is professionally skiilled in the mall at the make up department what you can use. Bye

Answer 6

Lemon juice bleaches it out. My daughter has the same problem. Cover your knees and elbows if you are going for a tan.

Answer 7

I don't want to scare you or anything but maybe you should see a doctor. The darkening of skin in those areas can indicate a type of insulin resistance in which case you will be stuck with that discoloration.If it is insulin resistance you may need to alter your diet to prevent diabetes.

Answer 8

A good apricot scrub will help get rid of dead skin. Which is often the source of the problem here.

Answer 9

Try rubbing lemon juice on them, but be careful on the underarms they might burn.

Answer 10

Rub them with the peal of a lemon.