Dark inner thighs are an embarrassment, but also a prevalent problem. Anyone who is experiencing dark inner thighs will tell you they are hard to hide, and most don't know what to do about it. 

If you are experiencing dark inner thighs, there is good news for you — you can lighten them. Here are some remedies you might want to try to eliminate the problem.

Table of Contents:

• Some Facts about Dark Inner Thighs
• What Causes the Dark Pigmentation on the Inner Thighs?
• Home Remedies for the Treatment of Dark Inner Thighs
• Coconut oil and lemon juice
• Potato rub
• Natural moisturizers
• The Best Beauty Ingredients to Lighten Dark Inner Thighs
• Kojic acid
• Hydroquinone
• Retinoic acid
• Azelaic acid
• Professional Treatments for Dark Inner Thighs
• Laser treatment
• Aesthetic treatments
• Chemical Peels

Some Facts about Dark Inner Thighs

Dark inner thighs are not a serious health problem. Yes, they can be ugly, but do not worry – your health is not at the risk.

Both dark and light-skinned people can develop dark inner thighs.

Dark inner thighs can affect both men and women at any age.

What Causes the Dark Pigmentation on the Inner Thighs?

There are many reasons for the skin on the inner thighs to turn dark. Here are a few known causes:

• Excessive melanin production
• Hormonal imbalance and changes that occur during pregnancy and menstruation
• Dry or moist skin
• Some types of medications like oral contraceptives could result in hormonal changes
• Constant friction from tight clothing or thighs rubbing together
• Some medical conditions like diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance cause a condition called Acanthosis Nigricans that can affect the inner thighs.

Home Remedies for the Treatment of Dark Inner Thighs

Nothing beats home remedies as the first line of treatment for dark inner thighs. Most ingredients suggested in this section will be available in your kitchen and garden. 

Home remedies might take a bit longer to give you the desired results, but they are safe, cheap, and quite effective. The results vary from person to person, so if these remedies do not work, you can try more intensive treatments.

• Coconut oil and lemon juice

Mix two tablespoons of coconut oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub onto the darkened skin on the inner thighs and let it stay on for about 15 minutes before washing off.

Coconut oil is a rich source of saturated fats that moisturize the skin and form a protective barrier on the skin to prevent further darkening. It also has excellent antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that help kill bacteria and fungi present on the skin. Lemon juice has potent skin-lightening properties that might, over time, lighten dark skin.

• Potato rub

Potatoes have been used for centuries to lighten dark, hyperpigmented skin. The catecholase enzyme in potatoes is known to remove dark spots and lighten skin. Cut a potato in half and rub each half on your darkened inner thighs for about 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water.

• Natural moisturizers

If dryness and friction cause your inner thighs to turn dark, an excellent moisturizer can help soothe and lighten the skin. WOW Skin Science Skin Revive Nectar Moisturizer with shea and cocoa butters, Moroccan argan oil, and beetroot extracts helps replenish, renew, and rejuvenate skin. 

The Best Beauty Ingredients to Lighten Dark Inner Thighs

The beauty industry has several depigmenting agents used in various beauty products, which can also lighten dark inner thighs. Here are some must-tries:

• Kojic acid

Kojic acid helps reduce melanin production, and it also helps decrease inflammation and infections. It is definitely one of the safest depigmentation acids on the market.

• Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is used to treat several types of pigmentations. However, this can only be prescribed by a certified dermatologist. Hydroquinone can cause skin sensitivity, dryness, and irritation, so it must always be used under medical guidance.

• Retinoic acid

Retinoic acid is a vitamin A derivative known to reduce and even eliminate blemishes, renew skin, improve skin texture, and increase collagen production. However, using retinoic acid in any form can make your skin prone to sunburn, so it's important to avoid using it when going out in the sun.

• Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid essentially acts by limiting the amount of melanin. It does this by inhibiting free radicals and tyrosinase (an enzyme required for melanin production). The result is decreased darkening of the skin. Azelaic acid works only on the affected parts of the skin – the abnormal melanocytes. So, it can lighten darkened skin without affecting the surrounding skin.

Professional Treatments for Dark Inner Thighs

When everything else fails, it's time to resort to professional treatments that effectively lighten your skin without side effects.

• Laser treatment

Laser skin whitening is one of the safest professional treatments to reduce skin pigmentation without leaving scars. The pigment cells are directly destroyed during treatment, and only the darkened area is exposed to controlled laser energy. 

The damaged skin cells are removed by laser light, which helps regenerate new skin cells. An experienced cosmetician or cosmetic gynecologist must always perform the procedure.

• Aesthetic treatments

There are several aesthetic treatments available today to remove hyperpigmentation. These treatments are safe, but a certified dermatologist must always conduct them. Some of these treatments are:

• Microdermabrasion – for exfoliation and skin rejuvenation.
• Intense pulsed light – to lighten skin by targeting the melanin.
• Radiofrequency – to whiten skin and reduce wrinkles and flaccidity.

• Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use high concentrations of acids to gently peel away the topmost layer of skin in a controlled manner. Chemical peeling is done over several sessions, with the acid concentration incrementally increasing each session. Dryness is a common side effect of chemical peels, so it's essential to use an excellent moisturizer to combat this dryness.

Dark inner thighs can be an embarrassment, but they can be lightened with natural ingredients, often used in beauty products and professional treatments. If you have small patches of dark skin on your inner thighs, it's an excellent idea first to try lightening the areas with natural ingredients. If the problem persists, try a more vigorous line of treatment. Whatever line of treatment you choose, stick with it for a while to give it time to work.