[hr]
With summer in full swing comes the time to pack away the thick and heavy winter clothes and take out the refreshing and vibrant ones instead.
But not everyone is comfortable in their “skin” as per se. The long, dark and dreary winter months can take a toll not only on the body weight but also our skin that barely gets the chance to see the sun during this time. Excess build-up of dead skin cells, skin dryness and environmental pollution can cause the skin on elbows and knees to appear darker than the rest of the body, giving us second thoughts on that long awaited outfit we had been eager to try on again.
Below are some easy natural remedies and skin care techniques which can be used to get rid of those unsightly dark patches:
LEMONS:
Citric acid in lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent. Cut a lemon into two and rub on each elbow for about 5 minutes. Leave on for 3-4 hours, scrub with off with a towel using warm water and moisturise well. Repeat every day until the dark circles begin to fade, you will notice a considerable difference within a couple of weeks.
YOGURT AND VINEGAR:
Both yogurt and vinegar contain lactic and acedic acid that helps with lightening skin colour. Mix 2 tbsp each of yogurt and vinegar. Apply this mixture on the elbows and leave on for 20-30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and moisturize well.
TURMERIC AND CREAM (Malai):
Turmeric is a natural bleaching agent that helps reduce melanin in skin. Make a paste with 1/2 tsp turmeric, cream and 1/2 cup of gram flour (besan). Rub this mixture on to the dark skin in a circular motion then rise off with warm water. This remedy is best suited for dark skinned people as turmeric can stain the lighter skin, leaving a yellowish-orange colour residue behind for a couple of days.
COCONUT OIL AND LIME:
Mix 1 tsp of coconut oil with 1/2 tsp of lime juice. Apply on dark skin for 10-15 minutes then scrub off with warm towel.
TURMERIC, HONEY AND MILK:
Mix turmeric with milk and honey to make a paste. Apply on dark skin for 15-20 minutes, rub for 2 minutres then rinse off with warm water.
ALOE VERA:
Take fresh aloe vera leaves and remove gel from the fleshy leaves. Apply this on the dark areas and leave for half an hour to get fresh looking skin.
To avoid future dark spots from recurring, drink 8-10 glasses of water every day to keep the body hydrated well. Apply sunscreen while going out in the sun during summer, keep the areas well moisturized and avoid rubbing them on other surface and clothes.
