How to Treat Dark Elbows & Knees

Dark skin affecting only the elbows and the knees may be the result of a skin disease or a simple build-up of dead skin. If itching, flaking, redness, and swelling accompany the darkness on the elbows and knees, the symptoms should be evaluated by a dermatologist. If only rough, darker skin appears with no other accompanying side affects, daily exfoliation of the areas will likely smooth it away. Exfoliation, also known as resurfacing, removes the top layer of skin so a layer of new skin can grow.

Things You'll Need

• Exfoliating soap, cream, or scrub
• Natural sea sponge, synthetic sponge, nylon bath puff, bath brush, or exfoliating mitts
• Liquid bath soap
• Moisturizer

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean the affected skin areas with mild soap and water prior to bathing. Apply an exfoliating scrub or cream, containing salicylic acid, or other active exfoliating ingredients to loosen the dead skin. Exfoliating creams and scrubs can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a dermatologist.

• 2

  Scrub the knees and elbows using a slightly rough material such as a sponge, nylon net bath puff, brush, or rough washcloth in a gentle, circular motion to remove the old skin. Use a mild liquid bath soap to do a final skin cleansing. Since soap in itself, is drying, make certain you've rinsed it off your elbows and knees completely before stepping out of the shower.

• 3

  Blot dry your elbows and knees. Apply moisturizer, while the skin on the knees and elbows is still damp. Moisturizers help the skin retain water and prevent dryness. Adding a little petroleum jelly as a moisturizer will keep the rough spots lubricated and make the buildup of dead skin easier to slough off.

• 4

  Perform daily scrubs until the rough skin buildup is gone. Once the dry skin on the elbows and knees is gone, continue using the exfoliating sponge, nylon bath puff, or brush scrubbing materials and bath soap on the elbows and knees. Regular exfoliation of all parts of the body keeps, not only the elbows and knees smooth, but speeds up the growth of new skin cells all over.