You know how common having alligator elbows is? Unless you have a serious skin condition, you can easily treat scaly, dry elbows. What is so frustrating about scaly elbows is that they turn dark and are often visible to others. If the condition persists, it might make you self-conscious.
For people living in extremely hot or cold climates, it’s common to get alligator elbows because the temperatures cause your skin to lose moisture and dry out. Using chemicals excessively, such as harsh soaps, can also cause discoloration and loss of moisture in skin. All areas of the body with thick skin are prone to cracking.
As if elbows don’t look weird already without moisturization, environmental factors can make them more susceptible to discoloration and dryness. You may usually take care of the rest of your body, leaving the elbows out. Even if your elbows have been neglected for a long time, you can still try some beauty tips to nourish the skin on the elbow area.
Avoid hot water baths
It’s not a skincare myth that hot water baths are bad for your skin. All that heat from a hot shower causes your natural skin oils to soften and melt. When you apply a harsh detergent to that, it strips off the natural oil. So imagine what happens when you do that every day. You would be more susceptible to causing your skin to dry out, and signs of aging – fine lines and wrinkles.
There’s more to it. The stripped off layer attracts dirt and pollutants, causing them to become trapped and making you prone to bacterial infections. If you take frequent hot showers for longer periods, it just speeds up the process. Have you noticed how itchy and red your skin becomes after a hot shower? That’s a sign of skin drying out.
Use a Humidifier
You can’t control the temperature outside, but you can control it within your home. Avoid dry indoor air and purchase a large humidifier. This will keep the air moist, and your elbows smooth. Set your humidifier at 45-55% humidity.
Apply Vaseline
Apply a thin coat of Vaseline to your elbows and leave it overnight. Applying it during the day might not be such a good idea as your Vaseline could cause pores to clog up and attract more dirt, leading to more discoloration. If you are wearing full-sleeved clothing or can ensure that your elbows will not be exposed, you could apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly.
You can also try taking a bath after applying Vaseline. According to Dr. Andrew Ordon, this method helps the petroleum jelly seep deeper into the skin.
Avoid using toxins
You could have heard that using multiple products – cosmetics, creams, lotions etc. – is detrimental to the health of your skin. The same goes for treating alligator elbows. You may think that you’re doing a favor to your elbows but you’re really not. The chemicals in products make your elbows more susceptible to scaly skin.
