{"title":"Dark Elbows and Knees","entity_type":"Concern","slug":"dark-elbows-and-knees","canonical_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/dark-elbows-and-knees","dates":{"date_modified":"2026-05-26","date_reviewed":"2026-05-26"},"mcp_eligible":true,"summary":"Dark elbows and knees are often linked to friction, dryness, thicker skin, and uneven tone, though sudden velvety darkening needs clinician review. Routine","evidence_sources":[{"title":"AAD — How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-fade-dark-spots-darker-skin-tones","original_source_url":"https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/fade-dark-spots","source_type":"other"},{"title":"DermNet — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-postinflammatory-hyperpigmentation","original_source_url":"https://dermnetnz.org/topics/postinflammatory-hyperpigmentation","source_type":"medical_reference"}],"product_fact_sources":[],"related_entities":[{"title":"AAD — How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-fade-dark-spots-darker-skin-tones"},{"title":"DermNet — Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-postinflammatory-hyperpigmentation"},{"title":"Lactic Acid","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/lactic-acid"},{"title":"Glycolic Acid","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/glycolic-acid"},{"title":"Urea","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/urea"},{"title":"Niacinamide","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/niacinamide"},{"title":"Glycerin","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/glycerin"},{"title":"Why are my elbows and knees so dark?","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/questions/why-are-my-elbows-and-knees-so-dark"},{"title":"How do I get rid of dark knees?","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/questions/how-do-i-get-rid-of-dark-knees"}],"body_sections":[{"heading":"Quick Summary","paragraphs":["Dark elbows and knees are common because these areas get friction, pressure, dryness, and thicker-looking texture. Routine care can support smoother, more even-looking skin over time."]},{"heading":"Causes","paragraphs":["Friction, kneeling, leaning, dryness, buildup, sun exposure, and natural skin tone variation can all contribute. Sudden, velvety, widespread, itchy, painful, or rapidly changing darkening should be checked."]}],"key_ingredients":[{"title":"Lactic Acid","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/lactic-acid"},{"title":"Glycolic Acid","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/glycolic-acid"},{"title":"Urea","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/urea"},{"title":"Niacinamide","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/niacinamide"},{"title":"Glycerin","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/glycerin"}],"no_product_rationale":"No ranked product is included because dark elbows and knees can reflect friction, dryness, body-area tolerance, or medical context; the safer public guidance is ingredient categories and clinician signposts rather than a single product recommendation."}