As our hands and feet remain exposed most of the time, they have a tendency to get darker than the skin on other parts of our bodies.
Due to constant exposure to harmful ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays of the sun, the skin produces more melanin to protect itself. More melanin leads to darker skin, especially on the hands and feet if not protected by clothes or footwear.
Along with sun exposure, darkened skin can be due to dirt, pollution and exposure to harmful chemicals.
Dark feet and hands don’t look so good and can make you feel embarrassed at times. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to brighten the skin of your hands and feet.
Here are the top 10 ways to lighten your dark hands and feet.
Lemons are an inexpensive remedy for lightening and brightening the skin of your hands and feet. Their acidic property works as a natural bleaching agent.
Being rich in vitamin C, lemons help get rid of dead skin cells and improve overall skin tone. It aids in new cell growth and gives a lighter skin tone.
* Sprinkle some sugar on a halved piece of lemon. Scrub the skin with it to get rid of dirt and dead skin cells. Then, leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Do this once a week.
* Another option is to mix equal amounts of lemon juice and honey thoroughly. Apply it on your hands and feet. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with water. Do this twice daily.
Note: After using lemon remedies, apply a good moisturizer so that your skin doesn’t get dry. Also, avoid direct sunlight for at least 1 to 2 hours.
The presence of lactic acid in yogurt makes it an effective bleaching agent that aids in lightening skin color. The lactic acid can remove the top layer of dead skin cells to alleviate dry, scaly or darkened skin.
Plus, the proteins and vitamins in yogurt keep your skin soft and glowing.
* Smear some plain yogurt on the darkened skin areas and massage for a few minutes. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off with plain water. Use this remedy 1 or 2 times daily to improve your skin tone.
* Another option is to blend equal amounts of yogurt and rose water, then mix in 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin. Massage your hands and feet with it until fully absorbed. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off with cool water the next morning. Repeat once daily before going to bed.
Cucumbers can make your hands and feet naturally fairer over a period of time. Their skin-lightening properties can help get rid of an unpleasant tan or discoloration. It is the vitamin A in cucumbers that helps improve your skin tone by controlling your skin’s production of melanin.
This water-rich vegetable also helps keep the skin hydrated.
* Rub fresh cucumber slices on your dark skin areas for 5 minutes. Wait 15 minutes to let the skin absorb the juice before rinsing the areas with water. Repeat 2 or 3 times a day.
* Alternatively, mix equal amounts of cucumber juice and lemon juice. Massage it onto your hands and feet and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Use cold water to rinse it off. Repeat twice daily.
* Another option is to blend a small cucumber with 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Massage it onto your hands and feet, then leave it on for 10 minutes. Wipe off the mixture from your skin with a paper towel, then rinse your skin. Do this twice daily.
Aloe vera can also help restore your original skin tone. It is able to treat hyperpigmentation and hence can lighten the tanned skin on your hands and feet.
It also has deep skin-moisturizing properties that help add a natural glow to your hands and feet.
* Extract fresh aloe vera gel from a leaf and rub it on your hands and feet for 5 minutes. Wait 30 minutes, then rinse it off with plain water. Do this twice a day to lighten the skin color.
* Alternatively, mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and a few drops of almond oil. Apply this mixture on your dark skin areas and massage gently until it is absorbed into your skin. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse your skin with water. Use this treatment twice daily.
Note: Do not step out directly into the sunlight after using aloe vera on the skin.
The peel of an orange that most of us have the tendency to throw away can be used to lighten your skin complexion.
This citrus fruit is high in vitamin C that works as a natural bleaching agent and helps treat hyperpigmentation. Plus, the citric acid in orange peel acts as an exfoliating agent to get rid of dead skin cells.
* Mix 2 tablespoons of orange peel powder with enough yogurt or milk to make a paste. Apply this paste on the darkened skin areas. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Then, gently scrub off the paste with wet fingers using circular motions. Use this skin-lightening pack 1 or 2 times a week.
* Alternatively, mix 2 tablespoons of orange peel powder with enough rose water to make a thick paste. Also, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and a little honey to the paste and mix well. Apply this paste on your hands and feet, and wait 15 to 20 minutes. Gently scrub off the paste with your wet hands, then rinse the area with cold water. Repeat 2 or 3 times a week.
Tomatoes have components with bleaching properties that can help lighten the skin on your hands and feet. The lycopene, an antioxidant, in tomatoes protects the skin against sun damage. It makes the skin less sensitive to UV damage, one of the main reasons behind dark skin.
Tomatoes also help remove dead cells on the surface of the skin. leaving you with soft and glowing skin.
* Rub a small piece of tomato directly on the affected skin area for 2 to 3 minutes. Wait for the juice to dry, then rinse your skin with water. Do this daily before taking a shower.
* Alternatively, mix fresh tomato juice with buttermilk in the ratio of 1:2. Apply it on your skin using a cotton ball. Wait 1 hour, then take a shower. Use this remedy once daily.
* Another option is to mix equal amounts of tomato juice and lemon juice, then apply it on your skin. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off. Repeat 1 or 2 times daily.
Sign up for Ghana Star News to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.