Lactic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound that can be found in the human body. It’s primarily produced by the working muscles and is also discovered in dairy products. The compound has a number of important functions, including aiding in the breakdown of carbohydrates to produce energy for muscle contraction.

Lactic acid is also used as a topical skin treatment for its anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, lactic acid can be applied to the skin to reduce swelling and bruising, as well as to improve circulation.

lactic acid(LA) peels are alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Derived from milk, they are very mild chemical peels,depending on the concentration(which varies from 15-88%). Because lactic acid is a natural human metabolite, there is less chance of an allergic reaction with this type of peel{depending on skin type}.Therefore, they are a good choice for first-time peel users or for those with sensitive skin.However, dry or oily skin types can also use this peel and get good results.

You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing how to get rid of dark knuckles naturally and how to make lactic acid for skin

BENEFITS OF LACTIC ACID. {LA}

The benefits of LA peel include:
1. Exfoliating the surface of your skin.
2. Deep cleaning pores.
3. Fading dark marks Improving hyperpigmentation.
4. Evening out skin tone.
5. Brightening and lightening skin.
6. Improving the appearance of light wrinkles.
7. Stimulating natural collagen production. Overall, lactic acid peels are the best way to treat common skin concerns.

How great lactic acid(LA) peels are alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Derivedfrom milk, they are very mild chemical peels,depending on the concentration(which varies from 15-88%). Because lacticacid is a natural humanmetabolite, there is less chanceof an allergic reaction with thistype of peel.Therefore, they are a good choice for first-time peel usersor for those with sensitive skin.However, dry or oily skin types can also use this peel and getgood results.BENEFITS OF LAThe benefits of LA peelinclude:Exfoliating the surfaceof your skin.Deep cleaning pores.Fading dark marks Improvinghyperpigmentation.Evening out skin tone.Brightening andlightening skin.Improving the appearance of light wrinkles.Stimulating naturalcollagen production.Overall, lactic acid peels are the best way to treat commonskin concerns. How great a lactic acid peel will be at fixing a skin problem will depend on a number of factors though.

These include ;

• how your skin reacts,
• The strength of the peel, the number of peels you get (you will usually need more than one to get your desired skin results),
• how well you take care of your yourskin post-peel (after peeling).

GLYCOLIC ACID.

Glycolic Acid Peel is also another family of AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids or fruit acid), another mild peel (depending on its concentration). Glycolic acid is considered to be natural. It comes from sugarcane. Glycolic acid has many uses. In fact, it’s used in high concentrations to remove rust from metal, and anything with a glycolic acid concentration of more than 10 percent is considered a hazardous material, but Keep in mind that most glycolic acid peels have a concentration of 50 percent or higher. but considering what you’re trying to accomplish, that makes sense. During a glycolic acid peel, the solution is applied using a sponge and left on the skin for a predetermined amount of time based on concentration. It can then be washed off with water. Immediately after a treatment, the skin will look red and continue to peel for several days. The entire process from treatment to recovery can take a week or more.
With GA, the outcome might not be as noticeable as you’d like. It’s typical that multiple peels will be necessary to achieve the desired result. The upside is that there are very few complications associated with glycolic acid peels.

LA VERSUS GA.
LA and GA are two of the more common peel solutions,because they can do similar things to your skin, it can be confusing to decide which one of these two chemical peels you should use. Texture-wise, LA is a thick (but not thick like honey), sticky/oily and yellowish solution, while GA is a very watery, clear liquid. LA is more expensive, which is why LA facials usually cost more. Both peels yield similar results, though LA peels are less harsh and tend to fade hyperpigmentation better and faster. If you are deciding between a GA peel and an LA peel, go with LA if you have never gotten a peel before or if you have lots of dark marks you want to fade. Once you find you can TOLERATE lactic acid just fine, you can try glycolic acid next time you get a peel

HOW TO USE LACTIC ACID PEEL

Before the LA peel solution is put on your skin, your skin will first be thoroughly cleansed. Dirt/oils will prevent the peel from effectively penetrating your skin {prepping}, so often a prep solution is applied before the peel to make sure your skin is clean, oil-free, and primed.
Once the peel is applied, set a timer for when the peel should be neutralized. The longer the peel is left on your skin, the more penetrating and potentially irritating it will be.
P.A highly concentrated peel doesn’t indicate a faster result. You generally work your way up to longer peel times and higher strength peels as you get more follow-up peels.
During an LA peel, your skin will feel warm and turn pink. This post-peel pink skin could last for a few hours or a few days. It’s normal and will go away on its own. You can apply an LA peel raw/diluted in a DIY (do it yourself) solution with your favorite cream/lotion. This is the best and easiest way to use LA. apply with either an airbrush or your palm.

PRECAUTIONS.
Most people have their skin return to normal in 3-4 days, only experiencing some redness, dryness, and skin flaking in the first two days. This redness is annoying, but it can easily be covered up with makeup.

• Stay out of the SUN.
• Avoid scrubbing your skin until after your skin heals.
• Do not pick skin.
• Do not wear airtight outfits to avoid friction, except if you are occluding.
• Don’t use RETINOIDS whilst on an LA peel; this will be too aggressive on your skin because it is already getting a strong dose of exfoliation.
• For certain skin issues, like likefading dark marks and erasing erasingfine lines, it will take multiple chemical peel treatments to tosee results. 1-2 treatments for6-8 weeks will usually give you optimal results.

Again, the results will depend on your skin, the strength of the peel, the frequency of the peel, and how well you take care of your skin post-peel.
A lactic acid peel done at least every month will revitalize and brighten the skin, keeping it young and healthy.

Dark knuckles cream recipe

It is, therefore, very important that you give your hands the necessary care to undo this damage and keep them in the best shape.

One of the most common hand-related complaints is knuckle hyperpigmentation or darkened knuckles, which can develop at any age. This occurs due to an increase in melanin synthesis in the skin covering your knuckles. Skin color is determined by the amount of melanin pigment in the skin—the more melanin, the darker the skin.

This article takes you through the different treatment options and self-care measures to lighten dark knuckles.

Causes of Dark Knuckles

A number of factors can contribute to the overproduction of melanin in the knuckles, including:

• Hormonal changes or hormone-related disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Poor hygiene
• Use of cosmetics and/or fragrance-based chemical products
• Work or sports that cause excessive friction on the knuckles, such as boxing
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Acanthosis nigricans
• Diabetes
• Dermatomyositis 
• Addison’s disease or other autoimmune disorders
• Vitamin B12 deficiency (1)(2)
• Drug reaction
• Malignancy
• Genetics

Treatment for Knuckle Hyperpigmentation

The first-line treatment for knuckle hyperpigmentation depends on the underlying condition and includes:

• Prescription medications, including topical vitamin D compounds, keratolytics such as topical retinoids (tretinoin 0.05%), and oral melatonin
• OTC topical products, including zinc sulfate, salicylic acid ointments, glycolic acid creams, arbutin, azelaic acid, and kojic acid, which may be used as monotherapy for milder cases (3)

If these primary interventions fail to deliver the desired results, your doctor may recommend the following clinical procedures as second-line treatment to fade the hyperpigmentation:

• In-office skin peeling using chemical agents such as glycolic acid 20%–70%, salicylic acid 20%–30%, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 10%–25%, and Jessner’s solution, along with some topicals.
• Laser treatment with low fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, or CO₂ laser, to be immediately followed by daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Microdermabrasion to exfoliate the dark, damaged skin so that it can be replaced by new, brighter layers from underneath
• Cosmetic camouflage

Home Remedies to Lighten Mild Knuckle Hyperpigmentation

The following home remedies may help in improving dark knuckles.

1. Milk, milk cream, and yogurt

Milk, milk cream, and yogurt are all excellent sources of lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid that can help even out skin tone. In fact, alpha hydroxy acids are routinely used in in-office chemical peeling procedures to treat hyperpigmentation.

How to use:

1. Take the same amount of yogurt and rose water in a bowl, and add in 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin.
2. Mix all the ingredients well to make a paste. The consistency of the mixture should be thick enough for it to stick to the skin. If it’s too runny, add a little bit of sandalwood, gram flour, or oatmeal powder to give it volume.
3. Before going to bed, rub this paste all over your hands or just your knuckles until it seeps completely into the skin.
4. Wash your hands with cool water the next morning.

2. Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice can also be used to lighten hyperpigmented knuckles. It also exerts an antioxidant effect due to its phenolic content. 

1. Apply pomegranate juice to your darkened skin.
2. Let it dry before rinsing it off.

3. Honey and milk

Honey contains several polyphenols and flavonoids with skin-lightening properties.  Plus, it is deeply hydrating, promotes faster skin healing, and protects against further skin damage.

How to use:

1. Take half of a ripe avocado in a bowl, and mash it with a fork to make a thick, lump-free paste.
2. Pour in 2 teaspoons of raw, organic honey and 1 teaspoon of milk, and give the mixture a final stir so that all the ingredients are well blended. You can also use medical-grade honey if you can’t get your hands on the organic varieties.
3. Smear the paste all over the knuckles.
4. Let it dry on its own and then wash it off with lukewarm water.

4. Turmeric, gram flour, and milk cream

Turmeric can also help lighten darkened knuckles and heal sunburnt skin. 

How to use:

1. Put 2 teaspoons of milk cream, 2 tablespoons of gram flour, and a pinch of turmeric powder in a bowl, and mix all the ingredients well to make a smooth paste.
2. Apply this mixture to your hands or just your knuckles.
3. Let the paste dry for 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.

5. Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel contains a compound called aloin, which is known to induce skin lightening. 

How to use:

1. Extract the gel from a freshly cut aloe leaf. Optionally, add in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to 2 tablespoons of aloe gel for better results, as lemon juice also exerts bleaching effects.
2. Apply the aloe gel to the darkened knuckles.
3. Leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.

6. Paraffin wax

Paraffin wax moisturizes and softens the skin. It also strengthens the skin barrier, aiding in the prevention of water loss and therefore skin dryness. In addition, paraffin wax transfers heat to the skin, helping open and clean the pores, giving your skin a lighter complexion.

How to use:

1. Melt some paraffin wax. Make sure the wax is not too hot.
2. Dip oiled hands in it for a few seconds and then take them out.
3. Allow the wax to dry and form a thin layer, and then dip your hands in the wax again, repeating the procedure 5–6 times.
4. Cover your hands for 15–20 minutes and then wipe off the wax.

7. Skin-lightening oils

Certain healing oils exhibit bleaching effects that can help lighten hyperpigmented knuckles. These include rosehip oil, almond oil, mulberry extract oil, vitamin C oil, and sandalwood oil.

How to use:

• You can either massage your skin with these oils daily or add them to your DIY skin-lightening masks.
• You can also make your own skin-lightening oil by mixing almond oil and orange peel powder, lemon extract, and/or turmeric.

Note: When using sandalwood oil, make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil before application, as it can be too harsh or corrosive for your skin when applied directly.

8. DIY scrubs

You can prepare your own homemade scrub with all-natural ingredients that can gently remove the dead skin on your knuckles without causing any irritation.

How to use:

1. Mix exfoliating particles, such as slightly ground uncooked lentils, walnuts, salt, or sugar crystals, in a base of coffee, unsweetened yogurt, rose water, vitamin C serum, or honey. Avoid adding anything acidic, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, to the scrub.
2. Massage the paste over your knuckles for a few minutes, using light circular motions.
3. Leave it on for a few more minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

9. Shea butter and coconut milk cream

Your hands become dry easily as they get frequently washed and are exposed to a lot of irritants daily. Dryness can make your skin wrinkly, dull, and dark, which calls for regular moisturization of your hands.

You can prepare your own hand cream by using deeply hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and coconut milk cream.

How to use:

1. Mix shea butter and coconut milk cream. 
2. Moisturize your hands using this cream.
3. Repeat the application throughout the day as needed.

How To Get Rid Of Dark Knuckles Naturally

1. To lighten the skin around the knuckles, try applying a mixture of powdered oatmeal, sour yogurt, and cucumber juice. After applying the mixture, you should wait half an hour before rinsing it off with cold water.

2. In a bowl, mix some yogurt with a few ground almonds and whisk until smooth. Scrub your hands thoroughly with an exfoliant before using this concoction. For 10 to 15 minutes, apply the mixture to damp skin and rub vigorously, focusing on the knuckles. Once you’ve waited a couple of minutes, wash it off with some tepid water.

3. Apply some honey and lemon juice to your hands and knuckles (2 tablespoons honey, a few drops of lemon juice). You need only apply the mixture to the affected areas for about ten minutes per day.

4. Rub ripe papaya on the sore spot, leave it on for 20 minutes, and then wash it off with regular water.

5. Combine 1 tablespoon of gram flour, 2 tablespoons of raw milk, and a few drops of lemon juice to make a paste. After 15 to 20 minutes, rinse the mixture off with cold water and apply a new layer of lotion to the affected areas. To get rid of the tan and achieve noticeably lighter skin, continue this treatment daily for about a month, and then once a week.

6. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl of warm water and add a few drops of rose water.

7. Mix some grated radish with fresh lemon juice. Put on the mask, and then massage your knuckles for a while. Using cold water, wash it off. Radish’s active enzymes can lighten dark skin, and lemon’s natural bleaching properties will lighten the skin tone for a simple at-home solution for dark knuckles.

8. To naturally lighten skin, mix rose water and baking soda into a thick paste. When combined with rose water, baking soda is a natural skin-lightening agent that also removes tan. If you want your skin to be extra smooth and silky, you can mix some glycerin into the paste.

9. Use some lemon juice to rub on your knuckles. After it dries, you can simply rinse it off. The natural bleaching properties of lemon make it an effective treatment for skin discoloration.

10. To make a thick paste, combine 2 tablespoons of gram flour (besan), 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of curd. Spread it on your wounds and wait for it to dry. Do the light scrubbing to get rid of it. Get clean and put on some lotion. Take it every day until you see the results you want.

11 Extract the juice from one raw potato by grating it. Put this on your hands and feet, wait half an hour, and then rinse. Then, slather on some oil to help your parched skin retain moisture. To naturally lighten skin tone, try using potato, which has bleaching properties. To see results, use it twice weekly for a few weeks.

How To Make Lactic Acid For Skin

• Blend and slap on your mask!
• Make a smooth, spreadable paste out of the mask ingredients, about the consistency of yogurt. The mask will be easier to apply thanks to the guar gum or gelatin, which will also keep it from drying out and crumbling.
• If you know you have sensitive skin, you should always perform a patch test before using a mask for the first time. The area below your ear is ideal because it is both sensitive enough to react if the mask is too strong and discreet enough that any irritation will not be so visible to others.
• The mask’s drying process produces acidic fumes that can be very irritating, so keep it away from your eyes.
• Turn on for ten to fifteen minutes. Within half an hour, any flushing should have faded, revealing freshly exfoliated, rosy skin. Enjoy!

To obtain lactic acid, the following recommendations are made:

• Powdered cow, goat, or sheep organic milk is convenient because it can be stored for a longer period of time in the freezer.
• fermented milk items such as yogurt or kefir.

This lactic acid mask requires the following ingredients:

• Goat milk powder, 3 teaspoons
• Raw apple cider vinegar, 1–2 tablespoons
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon of gelatin or guar gum

Conclusion

If your knuckles turn darker due to normal skin wear and tear, you shouldn’t be too concerned. Regular cleansing, moisturizing, and using sunscreen with a product suitable for your skin type can easily address this issue. However, dark knuckles could also indicate a medical condition requiring immediate attention.

In most cases, knuckle darkening can be reversed with appropriate treatment of the underlying medical issues. There are several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and home therapies that can help lighten knuckle hyperpigmentation.