Dark Inner Thighs Treatment - Pampaputi Ng Singit At Kuyukot

Why does it get dark down there?

The discoloration of inner thighs due to chafing started when humans learned how to walk. And throughout centuries, dark inner thighs had become a problem - especially when bikinis got invented.

Inner thighs or groin area in Filipino is singit (also called puklo). And on the topic of whitening the bikini area, lower buttocks (pwet or kuyukot) is part of the affected area.

The discoloration of dark inner thighs that could even stretch into the bikini or groin area can be experienced by almost anyone regardless of skin tone. When the skin on the inner thigh produces an abundance of melanin, a pigment that gives skin its color, skin darkening occurs. And this is called hyperpigmentation.

Cause of dark inner thighs discoloration

Reasons why a person may experience a darkening of the skin on the inner thighs vary. Some of these may include:

• chafing, which can occur during exercise or walking, and may cause the skin to become thin, itchy, and discolored. An obese person may be at higher risk for dark inner thighs due to skin chafing.
• hormonal imbalance, particularly among women during lactation, pregnancy, or menstruation, or among those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
• certain medications, like hormonal oral contraceptives or certain chemotherapy medications.
• sun exposure.
• dry skin.
• poor hygiene.
• friction from tight clothing.
• acanthosis nigricans, a skin pigmentation disorder.
• diabetes mellitus.

Prevention is better than cure

A few simple things you can do to prevent the skin from darkening:

• Prevent chafing by wearing bicycle shorts or nylon stockings under skirts or dresses.
• Keep the inner thigh area clean and well exfoliated to limit the buildup of dead skin.
• Wear loose, breathable clothing to prevent excess sweat and friction.
• Avoid shaving or waxing the area too frequently to prevent irritation.
• Always wear an SPF of 30 or higher when exposed to the sun, and avoid excessive sun exposure when possible.

Popular home remedies

People had been creating concoctions and mixtures of paste and scrubs to lighten dark inner thighs and in surrounding areas. Here are some popular home remedies that may help lighten the affected area. Keep in mind that your mileage may vary.

1. Lemon juice and coconut oil scrub

Coconut oil helps bolster your skin's protective barrier layer, trapping the moisture inside and keeping skin supple and hydrated. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties making it beneficial for irritated, chafed skin. Coconut oil also serves as a moisturizer to help keep your thighs soft and supple.

Lemons are rich in Vitamin C and citric acid, so they can help brighten and lighten your skin when used over time. Vitamin C is an antioxidant for neutralizing free radicals and boosts collagen production to help lighten dark spots.

• Combine a few tablespoons of coconut oil with the juice of half a lemon.
• Rub the mixture into the affected area and massage for 10 minutes or longer.
• Wash the area clean.

2. Lemon, sugar and honey exfoliating scrub

As mentioned above, lemons are rich in vitamin C that can aid treat hyper-pigmentation.

Sugar is one of the best natural beauty ingredients to exfoliate your skin. Sugar scrubs are mild and help remove dead skin. They also help rejuvenate the skin by cleaning all the dirt from the skin pores. With all the dirt and dead skin removed, the new skin is more radiant and has a healthier glow.

Honey has exfoliating properties that can reveal brighter skin. Using honey on your skin can eliminate dead skin cells that make your skin look dull.

• Combine fresh lemon juice, a teaspoon of sugar, and a tablespoon of honey.
• Gently scrub the mixture into the inner thighs.
• Rinse the area thoroughly to remove the scrub.

3. Yogurt oatmeal exfoliating paste

Yogurt contains lactic acid, which may improve skin health. Although research is limited, it may have other benefits for the skin when used topically or orally.

Oatmeal acts as an exfoliant and may be gentler than sugar. Experts classify oatmeal as an emollient as it holds moisture against the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities and reduces itching.

• With equal parts oatmeal and plain yogurt, combine and mix to make a paste.
• Apply and gently scrub the paste to the darkened area of the skin.
• Wash the area to remove the paste.

4. Baking soda and water paste

Baking soda mixed with water may help lighten and exfoliate your skin. Baking soda is a mild abrasive making it an excellent exfoliator for your skin. Baking soda has bleaching properties that help fade away marks and spots on the skin.

Use With Caution! Baking soda may be too harsh for your skin. It could cause irritation that may worsen any skin conditions.

• Make a paste of equal parts baking soda and water.
• Apply a thin layer to the inner thighs, like you would a face or body mask.
• Leave it on for at least 15 minutes, and then rinse off.

5. Aloe Vera

An Aloe Vera gel or an Aloe Vera-based product can soothe irritated, chafed skin. Aloe Vera contains a popular and natural depigmentation compound known as Aloin. This compound effectively lightens skin, eradicates skin imperfections like dark spots and patches, and eliminates dead skin cells. 

• Apply onto the affected area and allow the product to soak into your skin.
• Rinsing it off after applying is optional.

6. Potato rub

Rubbing potatoes on your skin is a folk remedy for dark spots on the skin. Catecholase is a skin-bleaching enzyme found in potatoes believed to help lighten dark spots related to skin freckles, sunspots, and melasma.

• Slice a potato.
• Rub a potato slice over the affected area for 15 minutes or longer.
• Gently wash the area.

7. Calamansi

To whiten the groin or bikini area, calamansi can help a lot. Calamansi has tangerines which are a source of vitamin C with highly acidic properties which are known to be effective skin whiteners.

• Slice a calamansi.
• Rub a calamansi slice over the affected area for 15 minutes or longer.
• Gently wash the area.

(OTC) Over-The-Counter skin care products

There are many OTC skincare products for lightening the skin. There are made from or infused with natural ingredients. These show some promise in their ability to reduce pigmentation. Here are some of the natural ingredients that may work to lighten skin

• soy
• calendula
• cucumber
• niacinamide
• ellagic acid
• lignin peroxidase
• arbutin
• kojic acid
• licorice
• tea tree extract

Talk to a dermatologist before using an OTC skin care product for skin lightening. They can evaluate the underlying cause and help you choose an appropriate product.

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Formulated with natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Calendula, Cucumber and Tea Tree Extracts. This special cream is highly effective in whitening your underarm while repairing the skin barrier, giving your underarms a smooth and radiant feel. It is also combine with high concentration of Kojic Acid and Vitamin C to give maximum intense white skin results.

• Aloe Vera has an antibacterial nature which helps to soothe inflamed skin. It also helps to lighten discolored armpits
• Calendula can decrease the pigment melanin found in skin to help brighten skin and reduce age spots. This may be due to the flavonoids found in calendula. Studies have shown that calendula can increase collagen production
• Cucumber extract hydrates and soothes the skin. Its refreshing properties can reduce puffiness and relieve itching, as well as help to ease redness – for example sunburn. Cucumber extract is suitable for all skin types.
• Tea Tree extract is a popular choice for treating acne because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It's thought to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation. It may even help to prevent and reduce acne scars, leaving you with smooth, clear skin.
• Kojic acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice, for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. It can lighten pigmentation and dark spots or patches that appear on your natural skin tone.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays an important role in maintaining skin health and can promote the differentiation of keratinocytes and decrease melanin synthesis, leading to antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage.

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Ask your Dermatologists when all else fails

If home remedies or OTC products do not help, you may want to talk to your dermatologist. Ask about products available with a prescription or medical procedures. Following are some additional treatments your doctor may recommend.

Hydroquinone - The standard dermatologic treatment used to bleach the skin is a cream containing hydroquinone. A dermatologist will be able to prescribe hydroquinone. There have been animal studies suggesting that hydroquinone may be a carcinogen, meaning it may cause cancer. It is often recommended for short-term use only. Use it as directed by your dermatologist.

Retinoids - Vitamin A-based retinoid products are also available OTC, but a dermatologist can prescribe a stronger concentration. Retinoids such as retinoic acid regulate skin cell growth and are a potential option to treat skin hyperpigmentation. You may need to use a retinoid product for several months before seeing results. Retinoid products may make your skin dry and more sensitive to the sun.

Laser treatments - Laser skin lightening is an effective procedure to reduce skin pigmentation without scarring. Your dermatologist can discuss whether laser treatments are appropriate for your needs. The healing process may be uncomfortable when treating the inner thighs, especially if your thighs frequently rub together.

Avoid skin lightening injectables - The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend using any injectable skin lightening products. There is not enough evidence that they work, and there may be associated health risks.

Summary

Hyperpigmentation of the inner thighs is naturally occurring and not harmful to your health - it still does not look good. Especially when you want to wear that nice short shorts or when you want to hit the beach in a bikini.

There are many home remedies, OTC products, and medical treatments you can use to try to lighten the dark skin. Additionally, keeping the area clean, avoiding chafing, and limiting sun exposure can help to reduce the risk of developing dark inner thighs in the future.

 

Sources:

Alexis, AF, et al. (2013). Natural ingredients for darker skin types: Growing options for hyperpigmentation.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24002160

Ali, SA, et al. (2012). On the novel action of melanolyosis by a leaf extract of aloe vera and its active ingredient aloin, potent skin depigmenting agents. DOI:10.1055/s-0031-1298406

Campose, PM, et al. (2008). In vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo efficacy of topical formulations containing vitamin C and its derivatives studied by non-invasive methods. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0846.2008.00288.x

Dermatologist shines light on natural ingredients used in new topical treatments for hyperpigmentation. (2014).aad.org/media/news-releases/dermatologist-shines-light-on-natural-ingredients-used-in-new-topical-treatments-for-hyperpigmentation

Fowler JF. (2014). Colloidal oatmeal formulations and the treatment of atopic dermatitis.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25607551

How to get rid of dark spots using potatoes. Pampaputi ng singit at pwet. Pampaputi ng singit home remedies. (2017).diyremedies.org/dark-spots-using-potato/

Hydroquinone studies under the National Toxicology Program (NTP). (2015).fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofMedicalProductsandTobacco/CDER/ucm203112.htm

Hyperpigmentation. (n.d.). aocd.org/?page=Hyperpigmentation

Injectable skin lightening and skin bleaching products may be unsafe. (2018).fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/injectable-skin-lightening-and-skin-bleaching-products-may-be-unsafe

Telang PS. (2013). Vitamin C in dermatology. DOI:10.4103/2229-5178.110593

Vaughn AR, et al. (2015). Effects of fermented dairy products on skin: A systematic review. DOI:10.1089/acm.2014.0261

Wang Y-H, et al. (2015). Quantitative determination of a-arbutin, b-arbutin, kojic acid, nicotinamide, hydroquinone, resorcinol, 4-methoxyphenol, 4-ethoxyphenol, and ascorbic acid from skin whitening products by HPLC-UV. DOI:10.5740/jaoacint.14-123