How To Use Lavender Oil For Breast Enlargement?There are numerous cosmetics that use lavender oil as an active component. In modern times, it has also found widespread use as a skin soother and sleep aid. Yet, you may not be aware that this miraculous essential oil also has the power to enlarge your breasts.
If you want firmer breasts, try using lavender oil, which increases blood flow to the area. This method can help you achieve the bigger, more voluptuous breasts and accompanying curves you’ve always wanted. Lavender oil has many benefits, including the appearance of a more youthful chest and the reduction of edema and inflammation following surgery or injury.
Lavender oil may not be the most popular essential oil recommended by practitioners. The benefits of other oils such as lavender oil for hair growth, acne and stress reliefhas been previously explored. Nevertheless, there are many other uses of this essential oil which are often overlooked. Read on to learn more on How To Use Lavender Oil For Skin Whitening/How To Use Lavender Oil For Stretch Marks.
How To Use Lavender Oil For Breast Enlargement
A study published in this week’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that repeated topical use of products containing lavender oil and/or tea tree oil may cause prepubertal gynecomastia, a rare condition resulting in enlarged breast tissue in boys prior to puberty, and for which a cause is seldom identified.
The three otherwise healthy Caucasian boys, ages four, seven and 10 years, had normal hormonal levels when they were diagnosed with gynecomastia by Clifford Bloch, M.D., in Colorado. All had either used lavender-scented soap and skin lotions, or shampoos or styling products that contained tea tree oil and lavender oil as ingredients. In each case, several months after the suspected products were discontinued, the gynecomastia had subsided or resolved.
After Bloch discussed the cases with Korach, the NIEHS researchers conducted experiments using human cells to determine if the oils mimic the effects of estrogen, the female hormone that stimulates breast tissue growth, or inhibited the effects of androgen, the hormone known to control masculine characteristics and inhibit the growth of breast tissue. The researchers tested the ability of the oils to modulate or inhibit gene expression.
“The results of our laboratory studies confirm that pure lavender and tea tree oils can mimic the actions of estrogens and inhibit the effects of androgens,” said Korach. “This combinatorial activity makes them somewhat unique as endocrine disruptors.”
Bloch said the laboratory studies support his hypothesis. “Since there was no identifiable cause for prepubertal gynecomastia in the three patients we reported, we speculated that environmental factors might be contributing to their condition. Together, the case histories and NIEHS in vitro studies provide support for our hypothesis that topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils likely caused gynecomastia in the three patients.”
The oils did not alter the levels of the usual forms of circulating estrogens and androgens in the boys. “We do not anticipate any long term effects on hormonal levels,” said Derek Henley, Ph.D., the lead NIEHS author on the study. It is unknown whether the oils have similar endocrine disrupting effects in prepubertal girls, adolescents or adults.
“This study clearly demonstrates how clinical observations can be supported by basic science research,” said NIEHS Director David A. Schwartz, M.D.
How To Use Lavender Oil For Skin Whitening
Lavender oil is known for its calming and relaxing properties. But did you know that it can also be used to lighten your skin tone?
The essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe redness and irritation on the skin. It also has antibacterial properties that can reduce acne breakouts.
These nutrients make it an excellent moisturizer that can help hydrate dry or damaged skin without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
Add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath water for a relaxing soak.
Mix a few drops of lavender oil with your daily moisturizer or lotion before applying to your face or body. The antioxidants in this essential oil will help fight free radicals that cause damage to DNA cells while fighting off other environmental toxins as well as bacteria on your skin.
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.
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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
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 (4)
- 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 (5) 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. (6)(7)
How to use:
- Take the same amount of yogurt and rose water in a bowl, and add in 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin.
- 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.
- Before going to bed, rub this paste all over your hands or just your knuckles until it seeps completely into the skin.
- Wash your hands with cool water the next morning.
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How to use:
- Apply pomegranate juice to your darkened skin.
- Let it dry before rinsing it off.
3. Honey and milk
Honey contains several polyphenols and flavonoids with skin-lightening properties. (11) Plus, it is deeply hydrating, promotes faster skin healing, and protects against further skin damage.
How to use:
4. Turmeric, gram flour, and milk cream
Turmeric can also help lighten darkened knuckles (12)(13) and heal sunburnt skin. (14)
5. Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel contains a compound called aloin, which is known to induce skin lightening. (15)
How to use:
- 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.
- Apply the aloe gel to the darkened knuckles.
- 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.
7. Skin-lightening oil
Certain healing oils exhibit bleaching effects that can help lighten hyperpigmented knuckles. These include rosehip oil, (16) almond oil, mulberry extract oil, (17) vitamin C oil, (18) and sandalwood oil. (19)
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.
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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:
- 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, (20) or honey. Avoid adding anything acidic, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, to the scrub.
- Massage the paste over your knuckles for a few minutes, using light circular motions.
- 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:
- Mix shea butter and coconut milk cream.
- Moisturize your hands using this cream.
- Repeat the application throughout the day as needed.
Skin-Lightening Moisturizers, Creams, and Serums
Some skin-lightening products, such as medicated ointments, barrier creams, keratolytic-infused moisturizers, serums, and gels, must be prescribed by a dermatologist only. However, not all will yield results.
It is important to know what ingredients in these products can actually help in reducing hyperpigmentation. Here’s what you should look for: (21)(22)(23)
- Lipohydroxy acid
- Soy
- Niacinamide
- Ceramide
- Aloin (24)
- Strawberry extract
- Aloesin
- Gentisic acid
- Hesperidin
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Licorice extract (25)
- Pomegranate extract
- Kojic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Glutathione
- Deoxyarbutin
- Vitamin C
- Quercetin
- Rose extract
- Cinnamic acid
- Green and white tea extract (26)
- Mulberry and coffee berry extract
How To Use Lavender Oil For Stretch Marks
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils. It has been used for thousands of years and is well-known for its aroma, healing benefits, and calming properties.
Lavender oil can be used as a natural remedy for many different ailments, including stretch marks. The following are some of the best ways to use lavender oil for stretch marks:
Massage it into your skin. You can massage a few drops of lavender oil into your skin daily to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. This works especially well when used along with other natural remedies like coconut oil or vitamin E lotion.
Apply it topically. Another way to use lavender oil for stretch marks is by applying it directly onto the affected area as needed until you see improvement in your condition (usually within 2 weeks). You can also use this method if you are trying to get rid of scars from acne or other injuries that leave behind permanent marks on your body.
Stretch marks, also known as striae distensae or striae gravidarum, are a form of scarring on the skin. They are caused by rapid stretching of the skin over a period of time. This can occur during puberty, pregnancy, weight gain and loss.
Stretch marks usually appear as reddish or purple stripes on the skin. However, they may also be white or grayish in color.
The good news is that there are many products available for using lavender oil for stretch marks.
Lavender Oil For Stretch Marks: A Natural Solution
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy due to its strong aroma and therapeutic properties. It has been used for thousands of years for various health conditions including relaxation and stress relief.
There are many ways in which you can use lavender oil to get rid of stretch marks naturally:
1) Massage Into Skin
Massaging lavender oil into your skin will help it absorb into your body more quickly than if you were just applying it straight onto your skin without massaging it in first. This is especially beneficial if you’re using an essential oil blend containing other essential oils such as grapefruit seed or geranium essential oils since these.
Best of all, it’s completely natural and safe for use on your skin. You can even use it on your face without worrying about any side effects.
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils for skin care.
It is known to be anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
This amazing oil can help you treat acne, psoriasis, eczema and even stretch marks. In fact, this oil has so many uses that it can be used as a natural remedy for just about any skin problem.
Lavender oil has been used since ancient times for its healing properties. If you suffer from dark spots on your skin, then you need to try using lavender oil on your face.
Here’s how to use lavender oil for skin whitening:
When to See a Doctor
Dark knuckles are rarely a cause for concern, but they can sometimes stem from health issues that need medical evaluation and treatment.
So, it’s best to get yourself checked by a doctor if the hyperpigmentation occurs all of a sudden or continues to darken even after the necessary skin care and preliminary treatment.
Plus, you must seek medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms, which can point to a more grievous cause:
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- Fatigue
- Itching
- Dizziness
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Oozing
Most-Asked Questions About Dark Knuckles
Can I bleach my darkened knuckles
No. Bleaching with OTC creams such as 1% hydroquinone creams or bleaching powder solutions can cause burns or can damage your skin in other ways. Hydroquinone is banned in some countries; therefore, use it only if your doctor suggests it.
Can I use lemon juice to treat my knuckle hyperpigmentation?
Lemon or lime juice is replete with vitamin C, which is known to exhibit antityrosinase activity, which inhibits melanin formation. (30)
But because lemon juice is highly acidic, it can be caustic on your skin and can even disrupt its natural pH balance. Plus, topical use of lemon juice can render your skin more susceptible to solar damage, which will inadvertently worsen your hyperpigmentation.
For these reasons, skin experts generally advise against using this remedy topically for skin concerns such as dark knuckles.
Can orange peels help lighten my darkened knuckles?
No. Even though research suggests that orange peels (Chinese orange variety) are potent tyrosinase inhibitors, (31) only their alcoholic extracts are credited with this property and not the peel itself. Therefore, direct application of orange peels will most likely have no effect in reducing the hyperpigmentation of your knuckles.
Final Word
Not all cases of darkened knuckles warrant medical intervention, especially when there is no underlying illness at play. Even simple factors such as negligent hand hygiene, excessive exposure to sunlight and harsh detergents, or too much friction against the knuckles can make the affected skin darker.
In such cases, taking better care of your hands should be enough to bring your darkened knuckles back to their true color. This includes proper handwashing, regular moisturizing to keep the skin soft and hydrated, wearing gloves when handling chemical irritants, and applying sunscreen to block out solar radiation.
If your condition fails to improve, becomes worse, or is accompanied by new worrisome symptoms despite all these self-care efforts, you must seek medical consultation to identify the root of the problem and get appropriate treatment accordingly.
Dark knuckles causes
Dark pigmentations of the knuckles can be as a result of various factors. It may be the reaction to a certain intake of drugs, It may also be inherited and could be a sign of vitamins the body is lacking.
Nevertheless, the factor associated most with black knuckles is as a result of the strong acidic substance found in products used on the skin, breaking down the melanin present in it. These products are commonly referred to as bleaching creams.
Drug reactions
Other than bleaching creams usage of these drugs is linked to why the knuckles could get darker than other parts of the fingers.
These drugs are:
- Nicotine acid
- Estrogen therapy
- Growth hormone therapy
- Protease inhibitors
Drug containing these substances causes the knuckles to have darker pigmentation.
Lack of Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to create red blood cells. The red blood cells help to carry oxygen through the body. When the body does not have enough Vitamin B-12, it could cause the knuckles to start losing its color and get darker.
The symptoms of lack of vitamin B-12 include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
The body system extracts this vitamin from foods such as egg, milk, cheese, and meat. When the body gets little of these foods the skin starts to lose its glow and the knuckles amidst other areas of the body that has higher pigmentations get darker.
Skin lightening products
Many skin lightening products contain Hydroquinone or Lipohydroxy acid which is derived from salicylic acid. These acids bleach the skin by breaking down the number of melanocytes which produces melanin that helps to give the skin a brown color. These compounds are artificial and are recommended mostly to be used for treating skin issues like; melasma, acne scars, eczema and dark spots.
When products containing these acids are used other than for skin treatment, the skin reacts to it especially parts of the skin that have hyperpigmentations. The knuckles are part of the body parts that have hyperpigmentations, so it proves really hard for bleaching products to penetrate and lighten them.
There are more natural ingredients and simpler ways to get rid of dark knuckles, they are as follows:
Soy
The varieties of soy can help lighten the knuckles, It could be either in the bean or milk form. for use, it is recommended to apply on the surface of the knuckles and rinse out after a couple of minutes or leave in longer as desired. The nutrients in soy suppress skin pigmentations from surfacing.
Ellagic Acid
This is extracted from fruits like cherries, pomegranates, and strawberries. Often intake of these fruits and making scrub mixtures with it brightens the knuckles. The acid stops one of the enzymes that helps in the secretion of melanin in the skin.
Sugar and olive oil
Sugar and olive oil mixed together as a scrub helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells on the knuckles. Sugar removes the dead skin cells on the surface of the knuckles while olive oil moisturizes the skin, giving it the glow you desire.