Why Are My Inner Thighs So Dark?
Anyone can develop dark inner thighs, regardless of their complexion . One of the main reasons for this is the excess production of melanin, a pigment that gives your skin its tone. Medically, this is referred to as hyperpigmentation. Some factors that can cause your inner thighs to darken are:
Chafing that may occur while walking with wet or sweaty clothes on Medications like chemotherapy drugs or oral hormonal contraceptives Dry skin Friction on the skin due to tight clothing An untreated boil on the inner thigh that may lead to scarring and discoloration
Dark inner thighs may force you to limit your choice of clothing and make you extremely self-conscious and hesitant. If you are seeking natural alternatives to this problem, we have your back. Listed below are some excellent home remedies that can assist in lightening dark inner thighs. Here’s how to lighten your inner thighs with natural ingredients.
12 Natural Home Remedies To Lighten Dark Inner Thighs
1. Baking Soda
1-2 cups of baking soda Water
You may do this once every alternate day. Baking soda acts as a mild exfoliant on dry and scaly skin. Its alkaline nature can increase the skin’s pH and facilitate the removal of scaly skin (1). This may also help you get rid of dark inner thighs caused by dry skin. Grace, a beauty YouTuber, uses baking soda with toothpaste and lemon juice to treat her dark inner thighs. She said, “I love this because this gives me a very quick result (i).” She further adds that the toothpaste in the recipe is a drying agent that also helps treat boils on her inner thighs.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon of water Cotton balls
You may do this once daily. Dark inner thighs are often caused due to obesity. Regular consumption of apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight and battle obesity. Its antioxidant property can help reduce the oxidative damage that your skin is exposed to daily (2).
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel (as required) You can do this once daily. Aloe vera leaf extracts exhibit melanin aggregating effects and can help with skin lightening (3).
4. Lemon Juice
½ lemon Cotton pads
You may do this once daily. Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – a natural skin lightening agent. Vitamin C can help treat dark inner thighs by decreasing melanin synthesis in the affected area (4).
5. Coconut Oil
1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil You may do this 1-2 times daily. The moisturizing and soothing property of coconut oil exhibits protective effects on the skin (5). It can also help with moisturization of dry and chafed skin, which can cause your inner thighs to become dark.
6. Turmeric
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder A few drops of water
You may do this once daily. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, can inhibit melanogenesis and lighten dark inner thighs (6). A 2021 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science demonstrated curcumin’s and its analogs’ capacity to prevent the synthesis of melanin in human melanocytes derived from a darkly pigmented donor. Melanin is produced by the enzyme tyrosinase, and if its activity is suppressed, there is less or no melanin present in cells. The following graph shows the potential of CMC2.23 (chemically modified curcumin compound 2.23) to inhibit the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase in cells. The activity is suppressed in direct proportion to the concentration of CMC2.23 increases in the cells.
Cellular Tyrosinase Activity Cells Treated With CMC2.23
7. Cucumber
½ cucumber A blender
Do this once daily. Cucumber soothes your skin and can help reduce skin irritation and swelling (7). If your dark inner thighs are a result of constant chafing or dry skin, cucumbers are your best bet.
8. Sugar Scrub
1 tablespoon of granulated sugar 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
You can do this 2-3 times a week. Sugar scrubs help in exfoliating your skin. It helps in getting rid of dead skin cells that may have accumulated in your inner thighs and caused darkening in the area.
9. Yogurt
1 tablespoon of yogurt You may do this one time daily. Yogurt is a good source of a compound called L-cysteine. This compound is a skin lightening agent that may also help in getting rid of dark inner thighs (8).
10. Oatmeal
1 tablespoon of powdered oatmeal Water (as required)
You may do this once daily or every alternate day. Oatmeal has various benefits for your skin. It can protect your skin against ultraviolet damage and can also prevent it from drying (9). Thus, it may lighten dark inner thighs caused due to dry skin or overexposure to the sun.
11. Almond Oil
Almond oil (as required)
You may do this 1-2 times daily. Almond oil has been used for ages to treat dry skin due to its emollient properties. These activities also help in improving skin tone and complexion, which makes almond oil a suitable remedy to get rid of dark inner thighs (10).
12. Lactic Acid
You Will Need
Lactic acid serum (12% formulation)
What You Have To Do
Clean your skin and pat it dry. Gently massage 2-3 drops of lactic acid serum on your inner thighs. Leave it on your skin till it gets absorbed. Apply a gentle moisturizer.
How Often You Should Do This You may do this twice daily Why This Works Lactic acid may help brighten pigmentation caused by friction and pigmentation disorders such as melasma (11), (12). Hence, lactic acid may be an effective remedy for dark inner thighs. Note: Ensure that you conduct a patch test to check for any adverse reactions before incorporating a lactic acid serum into your skincare routine. Brian Clark, BSN, MSNA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) suggests another remedy, “Lemon and coconut scrub, for instance, has vitamin C, which is abundant in lemons, and may be used to alleviate hyperpigmentation. To make a coconut oil and lemon juice scrub, combine a few tablespoons of coconut oil with the juice of half a lemon and gently rub it on the affected area. After a gentle massage lasting 10 minutes or longer, wash the area clean. Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer and may help keep your thighs soft and supple.” These remedies will undoubtedly do an excellent job of treating dark inner thighs. You may also try using ingredients like rose water, tea tree oil, gram flour, olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, and potato juice to help lighten your inner thighs. Ensure that you do a patch test or consult a doctor before using these ingredients. If you are looking for other treatment options, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) formulations to treat hyperpigmentation.
OTC And Prescription Treatments
Many OTC treatments can help in lightening your dark inner thighs. Many of these formulations contain active ingredients like hydroquinone and tretinoin, which help by reducing melanin production or speeding up skin cell turnover, thus lessening pigmentation (13). You may also try formulations that are based on natural ingredients, like:
Soy Niacinamide Ellagic acid Lignin peroxidase
These ingredients do not have any side effects. Arbutin, kojic acid, and licorice are other natural ingredients that may help with pigmentation. However, the OTC ointments containing these compounds may show some side effects like increased sensitivity and peeling of the skin. Always consult a dermatologist before trying these. Depending on the severity of pigmentation, they may also suggest laser treatments. These treatments should address most of your issues related to hyperpigmentation and dark inner thighs. Additionally, here are some amazing tips that can help prevent hyperpigmentation in your inner thighs.
How To Prevent Dark Inner Thighs
Wear bicycle or nylon shorts to prevent chafing. Keep the affected area clean and dry. Exfoliate the affected area regularly. Wear loose and breathable clothing when the weather is hot and humid. Avoid shaving/waxing in the affected area to prevent further irritation. Always wear sunscreen with SPF 40 or higher whenever you venture out. Tone your thighs by following a healthy diet and doing regular exercise such as squats and reverse lunges and yoga poses such as garudasana and natarajasana. Add note on thigh toning exercises and yoga
Following these tips regularly can reduce your chances of getting hyperpigmentation on your inner thighs to a great extent. Josh Sim, an aesthetic consultant, says, “If you would like to lighten the area, there are a few options you could try: Moisturize The Area: Using a moisturizing cream or lotion on your inner thighs can help to keep the skin hydrated and prevent irritation and darkening from friction or dryness. In regard to this, a study revealed that hyperpigmentation progression decreased to a considerable level, following the application of tretinoin lotion. Out of 39% of the population affected by hyperpigmentation, it was found that 73% reported no pigmentation after 12 weeks of applying a tretinoin lotion. Hence, it was deemed that tretinoin lotion can help reduce hyperpigmentation on skin. You can also use a barrier product like Vaseline to help lock in moisture and protect the skin in this area. Apply a thin layer on top of the pigmented skin either on its own or after using a moisturizing product to help it soak in. Exfoliate The Skin: Gently exfoliating the skin on your inner thighs can help remove dead skin cells and improve the tone and texture of the skin, which can also lighten the discoloration. Use Brightening Creams: There are creams and serums that contain ingredients like glycolic acid or kojic acid, which can help brighten the skin and improve its appearance through gentle chemical exfoliation and reduce pigmentation in dry patches of skin.” Certain factors may put you at a higher risk of developing dark inner thighs. They are as follows.
Risk Factors
The factors that may increase your chances of getting dark inner thighs are:
Obesity – It increases the risk of chafing. Hormonal imbalance Certain medical conditions like diabetes or acanthosis nigricansi A widespread skin pigmentation condition characterized by thick, velvety areas of dark, patchy skin. Occupations that require you to stay out in the sun for long periods
Why are my inner thighs itchy? Your inner thighs can get itchy for many reasons. Jock’s itchi A fungal infection that appears as a warm, itchy rash and sometimes takes the form of a ring on the body. and fungal infections are the main causes of itchy inner thighs. Chafing may also be one of the causes. Why do the inner thighs get dark? One of the leading causes of dark inner thighs is hyperpigmentation. Other factors like chafing, certain medications, hormonal imbalances, and increased sun exposure can also contribute to dark inner thighs. Does shaving underarms make it dark? Shaving your underarms don’t make them dark. However, it will give an impression of darker underarms as it results in the formation of an unsightly stubble as the hair in the underarms grows back. Can waxing cause dark underarms? No, waxing doesn’t darken your underarms. It is better than shaving as your hair will not grow back in a stubble. Instead, it will grow thinner and will be less evident. Will losing weight help with dark inner thighs? Maintaining a healthy weight may help prevent the development of dark inner thighs and also help fade the darkness in the region. Can Vaseline lighten dark inner thighs? Anecdotal evidence suggests that Vaseline can reduce friction and repair damaged skin, reducing darkness on the inner thighs. What does inner thigh chafing look like? Inner thigh chafing looks like red, blister-like lesions on your skin. How do you get rid of chafed thighs overnight? Avoiding contact with the affected area, using scented soaps or other skin care products, and applying restorative ointment at night may help treat chafed thighs overnight.
Illustration: Proven Health Benefits Of Red Grapes + Nutritional Value
Learn from the below video about the causes, home remedies, prevention, and treatment of dark inner thighs. Get expert advice on how to lighten them and keep them healthy.
