Got Inner Thigh Discoloration? Here's What You Should Do.
I don't know about y'all, but I personally don't know one person who doesn't want flawless skin. When it comes to me and my personal struggles with achieving this immense goal, my greatest challenges have been having large pores that can sometimes lead to breakouts that can result in acne scars. Well that and sometimes noticing that my parts of my inner thighs are about a good one shade darker than the rest of 'em. What gives?
While I have finally figured out some hacks that have helped my pores to appear smaller and also some hacks that have reduced the bacteria that causes pimples to occur in the first place, it wasn't until a few months ago that I came upon some all-natural remedies that helped to get my thighs all one tone again. If inner thigh discoloration is something that you battle with as well and you're ready to have thighs that look as smooth and even as butta, I think I might have some tips that can totally help you out.
How To Get Rid Of Dark Inner Thighs: Remedies
So, What Actually Causes Inner Thigh Discoloration in the First Place?
If you're someone who struggles with inner thigh discoloration, you might've wondered where it comes from. That's actually a really good question. Long story short, it's the result of when hyperpigmentation transpires; you know, when an area of your body produces more melanin than it actually needs.
When it comes to getting down to the root cause of why some of us have inner thigh discoloration, to be honest with you, there is no one answer. Some of us get it because, as the saying goes, "thick thighs save lives"; so, when we're walking, running and/or working out, chafing can occur. Others of us get it due to hormonal imbalances and/or the medications that we take to get our hormones back on track. If you're someone who's all about rockin' the tightest jeans possible, the constant friction from your pants could also be the culprit.
Then there's the reason that is probably to most underrated—dry skin. Yep, if you're not taking the time to thoroughly moisturize your thighs after bathing, this also could result in them looking two-toned (in comparison to the rest of your legs) or blotchy.
The good news is, knowing the root of what caused your inner thigh color issues, that can help to put you onto the path of restoring even-toned skin again.
What Are Some Effective At-Home Remedies to Try?
If you really stop to think about it, some simple lifestyle changes can actually help to get your inner thighs back to where you want them to be. Simple things like wearing looser clothing and consistently moisturizing that part of your body might be all that's required. But if you feel like your thighs could use a little bit of extra TLC, while you could go the OTC route and purchase a skin lightening cream, sometimes products that contain ingredients like niacinamide, lignin peroxidase and arbutin (even hydroquinone and retinoids that dermatologists will sometimes prescribe) can come with mild side effects or even result in allergic reactions. Plus, a lot of these lighteners aren't created with Black sistahs in mind. Because of that, those products can ultimately end up doing our skin more harm than good. So, that's why I think that, at least trying some natural remedies, is a smart way to try and get your inner thighs to looking the way that you want them to. And the really great news is you've got a few different DIY options to choose from.
Aloe Vera Gel.
Aloe vera contains properties that are effective at doing everything for your skin from deeply moisturizing it and reducing signs of aging to healing acne and speeding up the healing process of burns and wounds. If you apply 100 percent pure Aloe vera gel to your inner thighs, the proteolytic enzymes in it can help to heal damaged skin cells so that the skin that is the result of hyperpigmentation will become lighter after about 4-6 weeks.
Coconut Oil.
Coconut oil is dope because it has antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties in it (all of these help to kill bacteria and fungi that may occur on your skin). Coconut oil is also comprised of 80-90 percent saturated fat that can deeply moisturize your skin. And, since it has so many different fatty acids in it (including around 49 percent fatty acids), when you apply the oil to your inner thighs, the acids can also help to build healthy membranes to your skin while creating a protective barrier too. Just make sure that the coconut oil is virgin; the purer it is, the more effective it will be.
Plain Yogurt.
Off top, something that yogurt has lots of is lactic acid. It's an organic compound that, when applied to your skin, it is able to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Beyond that, plain yogurt is also great for your skin because it deeply moisturizes it. And, when you add a little bit of lemon (two tablespoons will provide potent exfoliating and lightening properties) to a one-third cup of it, the combination is great at treating hyperpigmentation. Apply the mixture to clean skin, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cool water (to close your pores). If you do this 1-2 times a week, you will notice a difference within 14 days or so.
Oatmeal Scrub.
If anything is considered to be a superfood for your skin, oatmeal would have to be it. It's for a myriad of reasons too. Since oatmeal is high in zinc, it can speed up the healing of pimples. Its chemical compounds saponins are able to unclog your pores. Other properties in oatmeal can help to balance out your skin's pH levels. And, when it comes to fading the discoloration around your inner thighs, the texture of raw oats is a wonderful exfoliant. If you make a scrub of one part oatmeal, one part yogurt and a teaspoon of honey (honey is a great moisturizer) and then apply it directly onto your thighs, while gently massaging that area, it can help to slough off dead skin cells while revealing healthier skin cells in the process.
Potato Rub.
I know, right? Who woulda thought that a white potato could be an ultimate skin healer? Oh, but it is! Potatoes contain a good amount of potassium, manganese, vitamins B6 and C—all of these are nutrients that our skin profoundly needs. But the reason why potatoes, specifically, are good at cultivating even-toned skin is because they also have the enzyme catecholase in them. This enzyme is known for gradually lightening skin over time. All you need to do is rub a slice of a raw potato on your inner thigh area for a couple of minutes. Allow the juice to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Do this twice a week for the most optimal results.
And How Do You Prevent Inner Thigh Discoloration from Coming Back?
You know what grandma used to say—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So now that you know some proven all-natural ways to get your inner thighs looking even, let's talk about some things that you can do to prevent them from looking discolored all over again.
First, always cleanse and exfoliate your inner thigh area. It's interesting, the parts of our body that don't typically get as much attention as they truly deserve. Three of those tend to be our legs, feet and inner thighs. Sure, the water tends to "catch them" when we're in the shower or taking a bath, but it's important that we actually rub them down with some soap. In fact, it's even smarter to do some dry brushing before washing up. If you do this to your inner thigh area specifically, it can help to remove any dead skin cell build-up that could also lead to discoloration, in that area, over time.
Second, if you notice that chafing occurs, not when only you're wearing tight pants, but actually after you've been working out, it could be because you're exercising in the wrong fabrics.
Clothing that is made out of nylon can help to reduce the friction that may be occurring in between your thighs (nylon biker shorts or stockings underneath your dresses can help to stop chafing too if your thighs happen to naturally rub together too).
And finally, sweat is something else that can irritate your inner thighs. If you're naturally prone to sweating, give your body (including your inner thighs) some relief at night by sleeping with no clothes on. That way, all of you will be able to breathe while the chances of your sweating as much as you usually do will decrease, significantly so.
If you do all three of these things, on a regular basis, you can very easily be on your way to having thighs with skin that looks as beautiful and sexy as you are. No joke.
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage