No matter how beautifully you groom yourself, dark ankles can ruin your look completely. As the skin around the ankles is thinner than the rest of the body, it tends to become, dry, thick, and dark sometimes. This is not only embarrassing but also quite frustrating. While a solid skincare plan is enough to reverse the condition in most people, you may need to choose effective home remedies at times in order to get rid of it. In this post, we are going to talk about the 6 most effective home remedies for dark ankles. Also, know about the factors that can trigger dark ankles and some other useful ways to treat them rightly.
What Causes Dark Ankles?
There are numerous factors that can lead to dark ankles and it is important to know the underlying causes in order to find the right treatments. Some of the most common reasons behind dark ankles are:
- Constant friction with rough clothes or boots
- Poor hygiene
- Lack of moisturization
- Accumulation of dead cells
- Excessive sun exposure
- Hyperpigmentation
- Inflammation
- Certain skin issues (eczema, psoriasis, etc.)
- Medical conditions (bruises, ankle sprains, venous stasis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, etc.)
6 Most Effective Home Remedies for Dark Ankles
Although the number of causes and risk factors are high for dark ankles, it can be treated easily with the following simple home remedies:
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon is known to be the best natural bleaching agent ever. In fact, it has amazing astringent, antiseptic, and skin lightening properties, which help in healing darkened zones of the body completely. Squeeze the juice out of a fresh lemon and apply it directly onto your dark ankles. You can even rub a slice of lemon on them for a few minutes. Let it dry for half an hour before washing with lukewarm water. Doing it twice a day will make the skin lighter within a week.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has long been used as a skin-lightening remedy. Applying it to your dark ankles will not only lighten the skin around them but also moisturize them thoroughly. Extract the gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf and massage your ankles with it every day. Make sure that you wait for at least 30 minutes before washing it off with plain water.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is enriched with essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Both of them are effective in moisturizing as well as repairing dark and damaged skin, thereby lightening it to a great extent. So, rub some pure coconut oil gently onto the area surrounding your ankles and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off with a gentle soap and lukewarm water. Practice it daily to get visible results in just a few days.
4. Castor Oil
Castor oil is a wonderful natural remedy for skin pigmentation. It reduces the production of excessive melanin in the skin and delivers vital nutrients to it. As a result, the affected part of the skin becomes healthier in appearance and lighter in color. Massage your dark ankles with castor oil for 10 minutes every night. Put on a pair of socks before sleeping in order to keep them covered. In the morning, wash it off with normal water. Do it regularly for the best outcomes.
5. Milk and Rice Flour
The cleansing, moisturizing, and lightening properties of milk can help you get rid of darkened skin easily. When combined with rice flour, it becomes even more potent. Mix 3 tablespoons of fresh raw milk with 1 tablespoon of rice flour and blend the mixture to form a thick, smooth paste. Massage the ankles with it gently for 10 minutes every day. Once it dries, wash it off with tepid water.
6. Potato Juice
Potato contains a copper-protein enzyme complex called catecholase, which lightens darkened skin upon regular use. Cut a potato into two halves and extract the juice from them. Squeezing out the juice of a grated potato will also do. Apply the juice directly to your ankles and let the skin soak it up for 15 minutes. As soon as it becomes dry, wash it off with lukewarm water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Venous Stasis Go Away On Its Own?
Venous stasis does not go away on its own. It needs to be diagnosed and treated in order to avoid serious complications. Some of the most common symptoms of venous stasis include swelling, aching, tiredness (in legs), the appearance of new varicose veins, etc.
How to Remove Dead Cells from Ankles?
Exfoliation can help you get rid of dead cells accumulated on your ankles. The easiest way is to use a pumice stone for this purpose. Soften your feet by soaking them in lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Then, scrub off the dead skin cells by moving the stone gently around the feet in a circular motion. Once done, apply a good moisturizer thoroughly.
What Causes Brown Discoloration on Legs Close to Ankles?
If the lower parts of your legs and your ankles turn swollen and reddish-brown in color, it can be the issue of varicose veins and you need to consult your doctor to get rid of it.
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