Lighten and brighten 'em!

JOINT SCRUB

The skin on our elbows and knees is thicker and darker than the rest of the body. Sometimes, they can present a problem, especially during the cold and dry season, by becoming excessively dry, dark and hard. At such times, they need special care.

The most appropriate time to pamper the skin with oils and moisture it needs is right after a bath. In fact, applying body lotions and creams soon after bathing, while the skin is still damp, helps to seal in the moisture.

Get yourself a hand and body lotion, or a rich cream, depending on the extent of dryness. A lemon-turmeric cream is helpful in treating cases of extreme dryness on the elbows and knees. Not only does it help in softening the skin, but also lightens skin colour over a period of time.

You would also need a loofah or a rough towel to give the skin a rub, after applying oils or soap. This helps smoothen rough skin and improve blood circulation to the skin surface. Rubbing the skin with a loofah or wash cloth is particularly helpful on rough areas like the knees and elbows. In winter, use soapless bath gels or glycerine soap.

Before your bath, take two lemon halves and rub them on the elbows and knees. Lemon helps lighten the skin colour. Adding sugar to lemon juice just before application also helps soften and exfoliate the skin. Wash off with plain water and then apply oil on the body and massage it into the skin.

Sesame seed (til) oil, vegetable oil, olive oil or sunflower oil can be used. While bathing, go easy on the soap and avoid very hot water.

Give the knees and elbows a rub with the loofah or towel. If the skin appears to be excessively hard, you can use a pumice stone, rubbing it gently on the skin.

But, do not use metal scrapers and scrubbers. Immediately after your bath, apply a body lotion while the skin is still damp. If the skin on the elbows and knees is excessively dry, use a thicker cream on them. Massage the cream into the skin on these areas. Turmeric powder or paste can also be mixed with milk and rubbed on the dark areas.

It is also a good idea to use a body scrub twice a week, especially on the elbows and knees. The scrub should be rubbed gently on the skin and then washed off with water. Over a period of time, it helps soften the skin.

Do it at home

Make a scrub at home, using rice flour and curd, with a pinch of turmeric. The mixture will remove dead cells and also help lighten skin colour.

You can also use lentils (dal) to make a body scrub. Soak urad dal or moong dal (without skin) in water overnight. Grind it with milk and use it to scrub the skin. Then wash thoroughly with water. In fact, this scrub can be used on the entire body, too. Milk helps remove tan over a period of time and also nourishes the skin.

Ripe papaya also helps soften the skin and get rid of dead cells. Papaya contains enzymes that help remove dead skin cells. Papaya pulp can be mixed with a little curd or lemon juice and rubbed on the elbows and knees. This will soften the skin and make the elbows and knees lighter.

Aloe vera gel or juice may also be applied. It helps in cases of sun damage and softens the skin, too. n You can also make your own body massage oil, using it on knees, elbows and the rest of the body. Mix almond oil with sunflower oil and add a few drops of rose or sandalwood essential oil. This leaves a pleasant fragrance and is much better than using commercially available perfumed massage oils.

Finally, do not forget that regularity is the keyword. If you give the skin daily care, it is bound to show positive results, isn’t it?