Home Remedies For Dark Inner Thighs

If you have dark inner thighs, well guess what, you are not alone. This is not something to be embarrassed or self-conscious about, as it is a pretty common occurrence. The condition is known as hyperpigmentation since it occurs as a result of the production of excess melanin pigment. Here are the reasons why this happens:

Chafing – this happens when your thighs continuously rub against each other as you walk or exercise. It is sometimes accompanied by very itchy skin, a condition that is known as runner’s itch. A study on Iraqi women aged 19-52 years found that friction does indeed cause hyperpigmentation. This study also linked hyperpigmentation to obesity. This is not always the case though.
It could be an allergic reaction to or a side effect of certain medicines that you are taking.
Hormonal imbalance could be to blame – sometimes your hormones could be all over the place due to common reasons like pregnancy, menstruation or breastfeeding. But it could also be a warning that something serious is afoot. This condition is known as polycystic ovarian syndrome and if left untreated, can lead to some serious long-term issues like difficulty getting pregnant or even type-2 diabetes and predisposes them to heart conditions later in life.
Dry skin – this can increase chafing which in turn leads to dark inner thighs.

Now you know what is possibly to blame for your darker inner thighs. How do you go about remedying the situation? Well here are some things that you could try at home. For the best results, whichever remedy you go with, you should repeat it a few times a week.

Coconut oil and lemon juice

Kitchen functions aside, these two have proven to be handy to have around in the house. It is, therefore, no surprise that they have made the top of our list. Coconut oil is very good for the skin. It helps hydrate and soften the skin. This is particularly useful if dry skin is to blame for your condition. Lemon brings with it Vitamin C in abundance and this may work on hyperpigmentation.

Research has proved that vitamin C acts as a depigmenting agent. For skin pigmentation to occur, there are enzymes known as tyrosinase, that are crucial to the process. Vitamin C according to this study, interrupts those enzymes, thereby leading to depigmentation.

The two products combined are, therefore, a force to be reckoned with. If you want to try this at home, this is what you do:

Combine a few tablespoons of coconut oil with the juice extracted from half a lemon.
Spread and rub the mixture in the affected area for about 10 minutes to make sure it soaks in before rinsing off.

2. Aloe vera

Aloesin, a compound in aloe vera was found to work like vitamin C. In a study done, it blocked the enzyme which is necessary for pigmentation. In the study, the compound was applied 4 times a day for 15 days on a human forearm. At the end of the study, there was significant pigment suppression. This proves that aloe vera can be used as a skin-lightening product.

Aloe vera plants are easy to find especially if you live in regions that are arid or semiarid as they grow wildly there. If you have access to the plant, you can squeeze off a few drops of the aloe vera juice from the leaf into your bathwater. It is very soothing to the skin.

For purposes of lightening your dark inner thighs, again if you have the plant with you, simply cut off a leaf from a mature plant, spread the plant juice on the affected area, rinse off with warm water and voila.

But make sure to keep it away from your mouth. It does not have a pleasant taste and tends to linger in your mouth afterwards. If you do not have access to the plant itself, aloe-based products work too. 5 Benefits Of Aloe Vera Gel

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3. Orange peels

The orange is widely known for its nutritional value. According to research, the orange peel is just as useful, maybe even more so, containing several active components of what makes the orange so rich, and at far higher concentrations than the pulp. In a study that was done, hesperidin, a compound that exists extensively in the peels of citrus fruits was found to inhibit melanin synthesis. Health And Nutritional Benefits Of Oranges

To use this remedy:

Add 2 teaspoons of dried orange peels to rose water and mix it up until you get a thick paste.
Add honey.
Apply the paste to your inner thigh and give it about 10-20 minutes
Rinse off with cold water.

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4. Turmeric

Studies done on turmeric showed that curcumin, its active component may be used to treat a variety of dermatologic diseases. An evaluation of ten studies showed an improvement in the test subjects’ skin condition when compared to those in the control group. To use turmeric as a skin-lightener:

Mix 2-3 spoons of turmeric powder with yoghurt.
Apply it to your inner thighs.
Rinse it off once it dries.

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5. Oatmeal and yoghurt scrub

These are also very handy to have around. Oatmeal bath (oatmeal mixed with a few other ingredients) helps reduce itchiness caused by chickenpox or eczema. Plain yoghurt, on the other hand, is effective in treating UTIs, soothes sunburns and helps moisturize the skin amongst other benefits that have nothing to do with the kitchen.

The two products both work on dry skin, which is a factor in chafing and consequently hyperpigmentation. That is why they made it to this list. Additionally, lactic acid in yoghurt has also been found to have mild bleaching properties.

To help lighten dark inner thighs, combine the two to make a paste which you then apply to the affected region. Take your time, gently scrubbing it in and then rinse off the paste.

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6. Sugar scrub

This is a bit rougher than the oatmeal and yoghurt scrub. If the reason for your darkened skin is due to the buildup of dead skin, then this is the scrub to work with as it helps exfoliate the skin.

To use it:

Mix fresh lemon juice, a teaspoon of sugar and a tablespoon of honey.
Rub this onto your inner thighs.
Rinse it off.

7. Baking soda and water paste

This is a must-have in the house. Apart from its uses as a food ingredient, it has been proven to be useful in cleaning surfaces, as a mouthwash, getting rid of heartburns and in our case, as a bleaching agent. It is also one of the ingredients in the oatmeal bath that we talked about earlier. So of course, this multi-use product would appear in this list as well. You have to be careful though while using it on your skin. It may be too harsh on the skin.

To use this, mix the baking soda with water to make a paste, apply it on your skin like a face mask and then leave it on for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off.

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8. Potato peels

This has been around as a skin-lightener for while now. It is believed that an enzyme in potatoes has skin-lightening properties. Surprisingly, Potatoes are rich sources of vitamin C and so have similar skin-lightening capabilities as lemon.

Additionally, white potatoes also contain niacin and studies have demonstrated a reversible reduction in hyperpigmentation after 4 weeks of niacinamide (active form of niacin) use.

To use potatoes as a remedy, simply slice a potato, and then gently rub the slice on the skin for about 10 minutes before washing it off. You can also mix it (potato juice) with honey if you are able. Repeat this a few times a week.

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9. Cucumbers

Cucumbers have been an essential skin care product for a while now. When we think of cucumbers with regard to skincare, our minds immediately go to face masks. Now there is a new image, that of cucumbers as potential skin lighteners. Cucumbers could be useful for their hydration properties.

There is also a study that attributed cucumber’s skin-lightening properties to its rich vitamin C content. Additionally, a compound cucurbitacin D, found in cucumbers, was also proven to inhibit melanin synthesis.

To use this.

Apply fresh cucumber juice to your inner thighs.
Rub gently for about 10 minutes and then rinse off.
You can do this twice a day if possible.

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10. Almonds

Almonds contain both Vitamin E and niacin. Niacin as we have already established has been effective in reversing hyperpigmentation. Vitamin E also works as a skin-lightening agent.

To use almonds