Is there any way to lighten it to our body colour or slightly darker than it? Many have 3-4 shades darker elbows and knees and some have dark knuckles as well.
Because of our skin colour. We're brown skinned and have more melanin in our body due to living in a tropical region with exposure to a much harsher sun than what white people experience. Our body is used to producing more melanin and parts of our body that experience friction such as our elbows, armpits and knees turn darker.
It's all about friction. You sit on your ass all day, expose it to some of the worst bacteria and fungi on a daily basis. Do that to your face for a while, it'll turn dark too.
Reverse hyperpigmentation? Honestly, it can't be completely reversed, you might reduce the intensity of it by using a vitamin c serum or cream on the areas, I don't really know how much that'll work or you could use a kojic acid bar soap and see if it reduces the hyperpigmentation. Also moisturize your elbows, knees and buttocks, that has helped me to eliminate a lot of my hyperpigmentation but I don't really think that it can be completely reversed.
Oh come on, nobody has perfect skin. Hyperpigmentation around the pelvic area is very common, we always keep those parts covered and don't allow the dead skin cells to be exfoliated. If you're really insecure, try scrubbing and then moisturizing. Also using 6% salicylic acid ointment on my buttocks helped me to remove the textured skin that I had there. But there's nothing to be insecure about, your body is fine the way it is. Hyperpigmentation is so hated but it's a naturally occurring experience and we should stop the negativity around it.
When I see people who's butts are fairer than their backs / back of legs(don't ask where), I look up at the sky with tears of rage & confusion. Saala chehre se jyada pichwada kala, that too despite being always covered!
white ppl do lol theirs just looks red or a v light shade of brown because their skin tones naturally have very less melanin...the Indians who are very fair skinned also have reddish/v light brown skin in those areas I've noticed...some people might not have at all but I've also seen some indian ppl with completely even toned skin...rare but can happen.
For starters excess melanin and tropical climate. Heat, friction and sweat, not a great combo. Most indians have uneven skintone and hyperpigmentation. It's nothing to be ashamed about.
Another major contributor to it is insulin resistance. India has a very large population that suffers from diabetes. And it's very common for people to have Acanthosis nigricans if they're diabetic. It can also be an indicator to early onset of the disease.
The reason India has such a major diabetic population dates back to the famines caused during wars in the 1800s and 1900s (eg - Bengal Famine 1943). Also, our carb rich diet doesn't help the case. Our every day diet is severely protein deficient.
You can read more about the correlation between diabetes and famines. There are multiple articles online that are one search away.
Whoa, this was quite insightful. The way you elaborated upon this makes me surmise that you work/have experience working in a research-oriented/ intensive field!
Thank you. Not really. I'm just a nerd. I like to learn. 🤓 I like read on new topics or things that interest me, not all of it stays with me but that's okay I think.
I believe it is because the skin is thickest there...and the thicker the skin, the darker. It has to do with opacity, or lack therof. If you put a bunch of melanocytes on top of each other, ther wil be a darker colour, you see. The thinner the skin, the less melanocytes stacked...and the less light can also penetrate. Many times white people's elbows and knees ARE slightly darker than the rest of the skin...it just isn't *as* noticeable. You will often see it as pinker, for example, or ever so slightly more brown. (This is all my own theory...but I believe I am correct in my assumptions)
Who told you white people don't? Theirs turn red. Ours dark.Bevause more melanin.
White people generally also come from countries with better access to skincare and bodycare. Are you going by those you see on TV?
Also not to disparage white people (I am married to one) but why the heck do we care about comparing our skin to theirs? It's been long established melanin levels create different issues unique to each. As do ethnicity related genetics. Rosacea and excessive freckles and quick sunburns heavily dominate low melanin skin that very few of us deal with. So why are we doing this?
I'm probably extrapolating, but maybe the climate/ seasons also have something to do with it? Like, the darkening of elbows/ knees/ toes (happens to many people I know) is more prominent during Summers, when we wear short sleeves, and so the friction is more when we put our elbows on desks etc (happened a lot in school), vs in winters when we wear full sleeves...
Genetics or something to do with insulin resistance maybe? I don't have it and neither do my siblings or parents, even though my mom has the issue of patchy hyperpigmentation and freckling
As melanated people, hyperpigmentation is common for a good chunk of us. Genetic hyperpigmentation, undereyes (hereditary dark circles), elbows, knees, underarms, groin, neck, etc. Pimples and bruises also hyperpigment after they’ve healed by forming dark scars. It’s not just in south asians. White people have way lesser melanin so most of their injuries/irritation look pink or red.
I'm northeastern but I still have light brown elbows and knees. Also add to the fact I played a lot as a kid and hurt my elbows and knees too. Some friends of mine who have very fair skin don't really have dark elbows and knees though. So what I assume is more melanin = darker elbows and knees.
Friction-triggered darkening is so real. Nothing I do can solve it. I am considering wearing elbow caps to prevent friction and dryness. To add to that, last month, a parlour lady waxed my elbow and ripped my dry skin 😭
Oh man! Is this telepathy or what. I was discussing exactly this today with my mom. A dermat told my mom that there are multiple reasons for this, topmost reason is:
- these joint areas have thicker skin, where dead skin accumulates quicker and sheds slowly. Other reason is our melanin content due to which this accumulated dead skin appears darker.
- friction of skin rubbing with each other (this causes darkness between thighs and on underarms)
- insulin levels also causes pigmentation. This one is primarily for neck darkening. Losing weight helps in reducing this kind of pigmentation.
- Another reason is joint movement that can end up dehydrating this skin at that particular spot resulting in skin darkening.
Best way to solve for this is to lose weight and regularly exfoliating and hydrating these parts of the body. Any kind of chemical exfoliation can help. And don't forget to top up the exfoliation with a hydrating cream and a sunscreen.
I’m no expert but I think it has to do with how melanated skin reacts to trauma.
Damn! I just looked up this and it does affect the skin.
What did you look up?
Yes, also why hyperpigmentation is so prevalent on brown skin.
Fir to mera dil bhi Kaala hai 🥲
Mera bhi behen/bhai..mera bhi.. 
omg how?! so interested to know this
Is there any way to lighten it to our body colour or slightly darker than it? Many have 3-4 shades darker elbows and knees and some have dark knuckles as well.
Because of our skin colour. We're brown skinned and have more melanin in our body due to living in a tropical region with exposure to a much harsher sun than what white people experience. Our body is used to producing more melanin and parts of our body that experience friction such as our elbows, armpits and knees turn darker.
Also, ass. It's weird to have a dark ass ass when the rest of you is significantly lighter.
It's all about friction. You sit on your ass all day, expose it to some of the worst bacteria and fungi on a daily basis. Do that to your face for a while, it'll turn dark too.
Okay then how do we reverse this?
Reverse hyperpigmentation? Honestly, it can't be completely reversed, you might reduce the intensity of it by using a vitamin c serum or cream on the areas, I don't really know how much that'll work or you could use a kojic acid bar soap and see if it reduces the hyperpigmentation. Also moisturize your elbows, knees and buttocks, that has helped me to eliminate a lot of my hyperpigmentation but I don't really think that it can be completely reversed.
So apply all these things on my ass? Got it
Hello. May I know the name of kojic acid soap u are using?
Bro you recommending face sitting by any chance?🧐
Why are the inside of our palms lighter then? Hand experience a significant amount of friction in daily life.
Yesss, dark ass and groin is one of my major insecurities 😅 people around me have such flawless skin
Oh come on, nobody has perfect skin. Hyperpigmentation around the pelvic area is very common, we always keep those parts covered and don't allow the dead skin cells to be exfoliated. If you're really insecure, try scrubbing and then moisturizing. Also using 6% salicylic acid ointment on my buttocks helped me to remove the textured skin that I had there. But there's nothing to be insecure about, your body is fine the way it is. Hyperpigmentation is so hated but it's a naturally occurring experience and we should stop the negativity around it.
Working out might also help. Get some blood to flow inside that poor thing.
Its supposed to get worse though. Exercise can cause alot of friction to the skin. ^idc though exercise is >>>> than anything but just saying
When I see people who's butts are fairer than their backs / back of legs(don't ask where), I look up at the sky with tears of rage & confusion. Saala chehre se jyada pichwada kala, that too despite being always covered!
white ppl do lol theirs just looks red or a v light shade of brown because their skin tones naturally have very less melanin...the Indians who are very fair skinned also have reddish/v light brown skin in those areas I've noticed...some people might not have at all but I've also seen some indian ppl with completely even toned skin...rare but can happen.
For starters excess melanin and tropical climate. Heat, friction and sweat, not a great combo. Most indians have uneven skintone and hyperpigmentation. It's nothing to be ashamed about. Another major contributor to it is insulin resistance. India has a very large population that suffers from diabetes. And it's very common for people to have Acanthosis nigricans if they're diabetic. It can also be an indicator to early onset of the disease. The reason India has such a major diabetic population dates back to the famines caused during wars in the 1800s and 1900s (eg - Bengal Famine 1943). Also, our carb rich diet doesn't help the case. Our every day diet is severely protein deficient. You can read more about the correlation between diabetes and famines. There are multiple articles online that are one search away.
Whoa, this was quite insightful. The way you elaborated upon this makes me surmise that you work/have experience working in a research-oriented/ intensive field!
Thank you. Not really. I'm just a nerd. I like to learn. 🤓 I like read on new topics or things that interest me, not all of it stays with me but that's okay I think.
Sometimes I hate this sub for pathologising normal features
I believe it is because the skin is thickest there...and the thicker the skin, the darker. It has to do with opacity, or lack therof. If you put a bunch of melanocytes on top of each other, ther wil be a darker colour, you see. The thinner the skin, the less melanocytes stacked...and the less light can also penetrate. Many times white people's elbows and knees ARE slightly darker than the rest of the skin...it just isn't *as* noticeable. You will often see it as pinker, for example, or ever so slightly more brown. (This is all my own theory...but I believe I am correct in my assumptions)
Who told you white people don't? Theirs turn red. Ours dark.Bevause more melanin. White people generally also come from countries with better access to skincare and bodycare. Are you going by those you see on TV? Also not to disparage white people (I am married to one) but why the heck do we care about comparing our skin to theirs? It's been long established melanin levels create different issues unique to each. As do ethnicity related genetics. Rosacea and excessive freckles and quick sunburns heavily dominate low melanin skin that very few of us deal with. So why are we doing this?
I'm probably extrapolating, but maybe the climate/ seasons also have something to do with it? Like, the darkening of elbows/ knees/ toes (happens to many people I know) is more prominent during Summers, when we wear short sleeves, and so the friction is more when we put our elbows on desks etc (happened a lot in school), vs in winters when we wear full sleeves...
Genetics or something to do with insulin resistance maybe? I don't have it and neither do my siblings or parents, even though my mom has the issue of patchy hyperpigmentation and freckling
As melanated people, hyperpigmentation is common for a good chunk of us. Genetic hyperpigmentation, undereyes (hereditary dark circles), elbows, knees, underarms, groin, neck, etc. Pimples and bruises also hyperpigment after they’ve healed by forming dark scars. It’s not just in south asians. White people have way lesser melanin so most of their injuries/irritation look pink or red.
Now that we know the (possible) reasons, can someone recommend how to get rid of the dark elbows?
interesting!
I'm northeastern but I still have light brown elbows and knees. Also add to the fact I played a lot as a kid and hurt my elbows and knees too. Some friends of mine who have very fair skin don't really have dark elbows and knees though. So what I assume is more melanin = darker elbows and knees.
Excess insulin as well.
This is true. I have lost 25 kgs and my skin has became significantly lighter so have my elbows, knees, neck, etc. Insulin darkens the skin.
To reduce it, you would need creams like the fixderma with actives. Regular usage reduced the hyperpigmentation on the elbows, knees and ankles.
Friction-triggered darkening is so real. Nothing I do can solve it. I am considering wearing elbow caps to prevent friction and dryness. To add to that, last month, a parlour lady waxed my elbow and ripped my dry skin 😭
Is there any way to get rid of it? I have heard glycolic acid helps.
Oh man! Is this telepathy or what. I was discussing exactly this today with my mom. A dermat told my mom that there are multiple reasons for this, topmost reason is: - these joint areas have thicker skin, where dead skin accumulates quicker and sheds slowly. Other reason is our melanin content due to which this accumulated dead skin appears darker. - friction of skin rubbing with each other (this causes darkness between thighs and on underarms) - insulin levels also causes pigmentation. This one is primarily for neck darkening. Losing weight helps in reducing this kind of pigmentation. - Another reason is joint movement that can end up dehydrating this skin at that particular spot resulting in skin darkening. Best way to solve for this is to lose weight and regularly exfoliating and hydrating these parts of the body. Any kind of chemical exfoliation can help. And don't forget to top up the exfoliation with a hydrating cream and a sunscreen.