Skin pigmentation, otherwise known as Acanthosis nigricans, occurs as a result of excessive exposure to sun or aging. It manifests itself in the form of dark patches around the neck, knees, underarms, and elbows, which can be embarrassing to many individuals. Also, the skin around the elbows and knees is generally thicker and has a larger number of folds than the other body parts. Likewise, on the grounds that there are no oil organs in these areas, this skin has a tendency to be drier. Thus, if you do not take proper care of your skin, the elbows and knees will end up being darker than the other parts of your body. The darkness around the underarms may be associated with improper or too frequent shaving, as well as the use of inappropriate chemical hair removal creams or antiperspirants.

Nevertheless, there are several remedies that can solve these issues, the best of which are highlighted below:

The Best Natural Remedies for the Dark Skin around the Neck:

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera nourishes and saturates the skin and acts like powerful skin lightener. Besides helping the skin to become lighter, Aloe Vera also helps to reduce different skin spots. This powerful plant will repair your entire skin and it will refresh your body as well. It is also rich in cancer prevention agents as well as elements that aid in the repair and creation of new skin cells.

Directions:
• Extract some aloe vera gel from the leaf and tenderly rub it on your neck.
• Give it some 20 minutes to act before washing it off with water.
• Repeat this procedure every day for quick results.

2. Baking soda

Baking soda serves as an exfoliant that will clean the skin and slowly eliminate the dark freckles. If you have dark skin problems, then you should definitely try this method. This powerful combo – baking soda and water will successfully eradicate hyperpigmentation that forms around the neck.

Directions:
• Mix three parts of baking soda with one part of water to prepare a thick paste
• Apply the paste on your neck and allow it to dry.
• Wash it off with cold water after a couple of minutes.
• Repeat this process at least two times every week.
• You will be amazed by the results.

3. Potatoes

Potato contains a chemical called catecholase, which helps to lighten skin around the neck.

Directions:
• Apply potato juice or ground potatoes all around your neck.
• Leave it to stay for about 15 minutes
• Wash it off with ice water.
• Do this every day to get quick results.
Besides, you can blend lemon juice and potato juice together and apply it on the affected area. Repeat the same process.

The Best Natural Remedies for the Dark Elbows & Knees:

Here is how you can naturally eliminate the dark patches on your elbows or knees:

1. Lemon

Lemon has Vitamin C which helps remove dead cells, improve skin tone and stimulate regeneration of new skin cells. Besides being rich in vitamin C, lemon also has peeling properties.

Directions:
• Apply lemon juice on your elbows and knees and rub it gently for a couple of minutes.
• Then, leave it to stay for around 20 minutes.
• Wash it off with warm water and apply a saturating cream.
If you want to get even better results, you can add some honey in the lemon juice. Put this on the affected area and leave for 20 minutes, after which you wash off the blend with water. You will be amazed by the results.

2. Sugar

Homemade sugar scrub is also effective in improving the skin tone of the elbows and knees as Sugar granules aid in peeling dead skin cells.

Directions:
• Mix equal measures of olive oil and sugar to form a thick paste.
• Apply this paste on your knees and elbows and rub it in circular movements for about 5 minutes
• Then, wash it off with warm water and mellow cleanser.
• Repeat this every day until you achieve a lighter skin tone around your elbows and knees.

3. Almond

Being rich in skin-nourishing properties, both almonds and almond oil are quite beneficial for skin health. They not only help in keeping your skin healthy but maintaining an even skin tone as well.

Directions:
• Rub the affected areas with warm almond oil for about 5 minutes, each day, before going to bed.
• You will notice the change after a couple of days.

• You can also prepare a thick paste from 1-2 tablespoons of ground almonds mixed with some yogurt.
• Put the paste on your elbows and knees and let it dry.
• Afterwards, rub it in round movements with wet fingers, before washing it off with freezing water.
• Repeat this process once or twice every day for a couple of weeks to achieve desirable results.

The Best Natural Remedies for the Dark Underarms

1. Cucumbers

The cucumber contains skin-lightening elements. You can just cut roundels of cucumber and rub your underarms with it. You can also mix lemon juice with some cucumbers and turmeric, to get the best results. While lemon eliminates dead skin cells and helps in whitening the skin, cucumber relieves your skin preventing any tingling sensation and turmeric wipes out stains. Hence, the combination of these ingredients delivers incredible results.

Directions:
• First, you need to make a mixture of turmeric, lemon juice, and some cucumber juice.
• Apply the mixture on the affected area on your body.
• Let it dry for 5 minutes and then you need to wash it off with some cold water.
• Repeat this procedure every day for good results.
• It is really an Ayurvedic cure so natural that you can do it every day.

2. Milk

Milk is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that play an integral role in brightening the dark skin under your arms.
Necessary ingredients:
• Two tablespoons of milk.
• One tablespoon of curd.
• One tablespoon of flour.
Preparation:
• Blend milk, curd and flour to make a paste.
• Apply the paste on your underarms and let it stay for about 15 minutes before washing it off with water.

3. Chickpea flour mask

This home remedy is extremely efficient for whitening your underarms as it purges, saturates and whitens your skin at the same time to give you a lighter tone of underarm skin.
Necessary ingredients:
A tablespoon of lemon juice, a tablespoon of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour, and a pinch of turmeric

Preparation:
• Mix all the ingredients – chickpea, yogurt, lemon juice and turmeric to make a smooth paste.
• Apply this paste to your underarms.
• Leave it to stay for about 1 hour before washing it off with cold water.
• Repeat this procedure on a daily basis for two weeks.
• After that, use it twice per week to get speedier results.

Conclusion:

With these natural remedies, you need not feel embarrassed anymore. You just have to choose the solution that suits you best, and you will be on your way to eliminating the unattractive dark skin patches on your elbows, neck, knees as wells as other skin folds on your body, like the forehead.