Why Do Underarms, Knees, and Elbows Get Dark?
Darkening of body skin in areas like underarms, knees, elbows, knuckles, neck, and inner thighs is extremely common and largely misunderstood. It is not a hygiene issue. The causes include:
- Friction - Repeated rubbing from clothing, movement, or skin-on-skin contact triggers melanin production as a protective response.
- Dead skin buildup - Body skin, especially on joints, accumulates dead cells faster than facial skin and is often under-exfoliated.
- Shaving and hair removal - Repeated shaving causes micro-trauma and ingrown hairs, leading to post-inflammatory pigmentation in the underarms.
- Deodorant residue - Certain chemicals in deodorants can cause irritation and darkening over time.
- Hormonal factors - Conditions like acanthosis nigricans can cause darkening in skin folds.
Why Glycolic Acid Works on Body Skin
Body skin is thicker than facial skin, which means it needs a more effective exfoliant to see results. Glycolic acid's small molecular size allows it to penetrate even thicker skin effectively, where it dissolves the bonds between dead pigmented skin cells, stimulates cell turnover, smoothens rough texture on elbows and knees, and helps prevent ingrown hairs in the underarm area.
Our Body Brightening Routine
Our Glycolic Acid Body Brightening Combo is designed specifically for this purpose, combining a 12% Glycolic Acid Gel Cream for targeted application on knees, elbows, and knuckles, with a 4% Glycolic Acid Body Roll-On with PDRN Complex for easy mess-free application on underarms and inner thighs.
Step-by-Step: How to Use
- Cleanse the area thoroughly and pat dry.
- Apply the roll-on to underarms, inner thighs, or neck. Let it absorb for 5-10 minutes.
- Apply the gel cream to knees, elbows, and knuckles. Massage gently in circular motions.
- Moisturise after 15-20 minutes once the product has fully absorbed.
- Use SPF on any exposed areas like neck and knuckles during the day.
What Results to Expect
- Week 2-3: Smoother texture, reduced roughness on knees and elbows.
- Week 4-6: Visible lightening begins, especially on underarms with consistent use.
- Week 8-12: Significant brightening across all treated areas.
Tips for Best Results
- Switch to a gentle, alcohol-free deodorant to reduce underarm irritation.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to minimise friction on treated areas.
- Avoid waxing or shaving immediately after applying glycolic acid - wait at least 24 hours.
- Be consistent - body brightening takes longer than facial brightening due to thicker skin.
Ready to start? Explore the Glycolic Acid Body Brightening Combo and start your brightening journey today.