Skincare trends come and go every year, but many don’t last long. One of the social media trends that may have popped up on your social media is using glycolic acid for your areas with hyperpigmentation, such as the elbows and underarms. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugarcane. It is one of the important components of skin rejuvenation in the modern skincare routine. If you’re wondering whether you should be using glycolic acid for dark elbows and underarms, you’ve landed on the right page.
Let’s look at the benefits (or side effects) of using glycolic acid for dark elbows and underarms.
Benefits of Glycolic Acid for Dark Elbows and Underarms
The advantage of glycolic acid is that it is very mild and can penetrate deep into the skin to exfoliate. When used on dark underarms and elbows, it helps lighten skin, balances pH levels, and promotes new cell growth with faster turnover of dead skin cells.
Glycolic acid is safely used in toners, skin creams, and chemical peels to rejuvenate the skin. Another benefit of glycolic acid is that it is an excellent deodorant because of its ability to balance pH. Glycolic acid also helps break down sweat bacteria to make room for an odor-free environment. Plus, it works on all skin types.
Read also: 4 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Pigmentation Around Your Mouth
How to use glycolic acid to get rid of dark elbows and underarms?
When you apply glycolic acid to underarms and dark elbows, it breaks down the top layer of skin by dissolving cell connections and exfoliating. The new layer that takes its place is softer, more flexible, free of hyperpigmentation, and more evenly colored. When you start using glycolic acid to even out skin, you should start to see a difference in seven days.
Glycolic acid should be used in small amounts as high doses can damage the skin. People with sensitive skin or dry skin should ask a doctor before using glycolic acid preparations. Glycolic acid in large amounts can irritate sensitive skin areas and cause more hyperpigmentation and irritation, and can cause long-term damage to the skin. glycolic acid It will not give you overnight results as claimed on social media, but consistent and safe use of the acid will surely bring a change in the skin.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation
This doesn’t necessarily mean that glycolic acid will work for you. If it doesn’t for you, here are some natural ways to control dark skin on your elbows and underarms:
1. Shaving the Right Way
First soften your skin with lukewarm water, then exfoliate. Then apply shaving cream or gel before starting shaving. Don’t forget to apply moisturizer afterwards. For exfoliation, you can also use a mild glycolic acid solution.
2. Baking Soda
It is a well-known skin-lightening agent and also unclogs the pores. Make a thick paste by mixing a little baking soda with water and applying a few drops of lemon juice on the dark elbows and underarms. Scrub the skin lightly and leave it for five minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Moisturize your skin thoroughly after drying.
Read also: 5 reasons why you should make baking soda your BFF for healthy skin
3. Coconut oil
Massage the dark area with a little coconut oil for about five minutes. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash it with warm water.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Mix equal parts of ACV and baking soda. Now apply this mixture on your black elbows and underarms. Leave it for five minutes and wash off with cold water. this will also help open pores and exfoliate the skin.
5. Cucumbers
Cucumber is one of the most popular lightening and cooling agents for the skin. Just slice a few and rub the dark areas of the skin for about two minutes. Leave the juice on for 10 minutes before washing it off.
6. Turmeric Scrub
Mix a little turmeric in lukewarm milk and gram flour. Apply this scrub on your underarms and dark elbows, massage gently for two minutes, leave it for five minutes and wash it off with water.
Comment: Our skin tone is dark and it is completely normal. But if you still want to get rid of dark areas, then you can use glycolic acid on these areas. However, make sure you do a patch test before trying any of the home remedies mentioned in the article.
