Dark Knees Don't Have to Be Ashy: Why You Should Lotion Up

Dida Ritz was something of a wildcard in Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. However, she did make herstory with her now immortal ashy knees, which, she claimed, were from over-bronzing. It’s okay, Dida. Whatever they were, dark knees are pretty common ­— whether they’re from a heavy makeup hand or friction.

First of all, any part of your body with creases or extra skin, like your elbows or knees, tends to be darker. However, try bending them to stretch out the skin. If you notice that they’re a duskier shade, then you can do something about it.

Dark knees that are not caused by some underlying condition like diabetes are usually harmless. The skin tissue in your joints is thinner, making your knees and elbows more sensitive to friction, which is primarily the cause of the color shift. However, if you want to even out your skin tone, there are ways to brighten the situation.

Think about the things you do regularly – from working out to doing chores, your knees (and elbows) take a major beating. The regular friction that your knees encounter from wearing pants, kneeling, stretching, and other habits you do unconsciously cause the skin to toughen up. Apart from hyperpigmentation, drier and thicker skin usually accompanies dark knees. The process is very similar to how a callus develops.

The effect of dark knees is primarily cosmetic. However, dry skin can make that area prone to inflammation, redness, and peeling — which, in turn, can lead to numerous other things, such as sensitivity and infection.

The best “dark knees remedy” would be to stop it from getting worse, such as reducing friction or rubbing. However, that’s improbable. You’re going to have to wear jeans at some point or kneel to clean the bottom of your bed. However, you can opt for some preventative maintenance.

Your dark knees are most likely from stretching, bending, and abrasion, but sun exposure can also be a factor. Keep your bases covered by putting on broad-spectrum sunscreen all over your body. Make sure not to neglect your knees and elbows.

In the wise words of one-time pop star and RuPaul BFF Michelle Visage, “Lotion up, girl! Lotion up.” Use an occlusive or moisturizer for dull skin such as Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier. To address pigmentation, look for healthy body lotion with ingredients that brighten as well as hydrate. Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Dewy Radiance and Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Flawless Glow have Hyaluron and GlutaGlow technology. It’s 10 times more powerful than vitamin C. They not just even out your skin tone, but they also give your skin a healthy-looking sparkle.

Like we said, you can’t go through life without letting your knees touch the floor (try doing some yoga without kneeling). Be diligent about applying lotion especially after showering to make sure that the more weather-beaten parts of your skin are moisturized well.

Sometimes dirt gets trapped when the skin on your knees and elbows harden to adapt to the constant friction. It could lead to even worse darkening. In the shower, take care to scrub your joints as well as you do the rest of your body. You can also start a weekly exfoliating ritual to pamper your battered knees and elbows. Exfoliating will help you remove dead skin that can aggravate skin color. You’ll also get softer skin in the process.

Having dark knees will unlikely affect your health or lifestyle. However, if they persist despite the methods above, you might have an underlying health condition. Make sure to consult with a physician if you’re concerned about your dark knees.