Wrinkly Elbows: How To Reduce Wrinkles And Loose Skin

Unfortunately, elbows are not excluded from the aging process. Two tell-tale signs of aging are wrinkly elbows and loose skin.

Some loose skin around your elbows is normal — or else you wouldn’t be able to bend them — but everyday life can make the condition worse and even lead to wrinkly elbows.

For example, the constant friction from rubbing against things — clothes, your desk, kitchen counters — causes your skin to lose elasticity, which creates dryness, wrinkling, and sagging on your elbows. Neglect and drastic weight loss can also cause wrinkly elbows and loose skin.

Even worse, the skin on your elbows is thicker than other skin, making it harder to treat. But don’t fret — we’ve got you covered! Start your journey to less wrinkly elbows with these tips from SiO’s beauty experts.

How To Reduce Wrinkly Elbows And Loose Skin

1) Add Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) To Your Skin Care Routine

As you age, your elbow skin is likely to look dull and rough. Adding an AHA to your skin care routine will help loosen up the rough skin.

Dr. Dendy Engelman says, “AHAs, such as glycolic acids, are used for dry skin to help anti-aging. They’re great for elbows and knees, where skin tends to be more dry and loose.” She goes on to add, “The molecules are small in size, which allows them to penetrate deep into the skin and increase collagen production by removing dead particles.”

So for smoother, softer skin, use an AHA regularly — at least every other night to begin, increasing to every night after two weeks of use.

2) Exfoliate

Exfoliating your skin creates a clean canvas for new, healthy skin cells to grow. It will make your skin glow by removing the dry, dead skin on and around your elbows. Use a scrub or loofah in the shower as an easy exfoliator.

You can also use a homemade face mask on your elbows for even softer, healthier-looking skin.

3) Upgrade Your Moisturizer

For your elbows, skip your regular body lotion. It won’t be strong enough for dry, cracked elbow skin. So after you’ve exfoliated, find a strong moisturizer for this tough area.
Expert tip: Apply your face products to your elbows. Any moisturizer you have on hand that has a collagen-stimulating ingredient will make for smoother, firmer skin on your elbows (a.k.a. no more wrinkly elbows!).

4) Add Elbow Grease

OK, don’t really use grease for your elbows. What we’re talking about here are some household agents that are excellent for tackling the tough skin on your elbows. Some examples include:

• Vaseline 
• Olive oil 
• Shea butter
• Any anti-aging cream 
• Coconut oil 

Applying any of these agents to your elbows will relieve stubborn dry skin and reduce wrinkles over time.

5) Exercise

Loss of muscle and bone mass can also contribute to loose skin around your elbows. So, just like you would tone up any other loose skin on your body, the same is true for the area around your elbows. Exercising can tighten up loose skin and help get rid of wrinkly elbows.

Take a look at the exercises below to treat this area.

Bench Presses

Using a barbell while bench pressing will not only tone your upper arms but also help retract some of that loose skin around your elbows. To reduce wrinkly elbows, follow these steps:

1. Lie down on the bench and hold the barbell with both hands. 
2. Push the bar up and then back down. Make sure to push it back up above your chest. 
3. Hold the position for a few seconds. 
4. Lower barbell. 
5. Repeat as many times as you can. 

Curl Exercises

Use weights for this exercise.

1. Hold one weight in each hand with your hands at your sides.
2. Stand with your feet slightly apart. 
3. Lift your right hand up to your shoulder, making a curling motion.
4. Hold the position for a few seconds. 
5. Lower your right hand down while bringing your left hand up. 
6. Repeat motion on each arm 15 times. 

Remember to stay hydrated while exercising!

6) Avoid Rapid Weight Changes

Losing weight rapidly will result in loose skin. Period. By maintaining a steady weight and steady weight loss, your body is less likely to create loose skin from the drastic change.

Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and protein, along with exercising, will help you avoid any rapid weight changes that can lead to wrinkly elbows.

7) Lighten Your Skin

The pigmentation in your skin may become darker due to rough, dry patches on your elbows. And while lightening your skin isn’t actually a type of wrinkle treatment, it can make wrinkly elbows less noticeable.

Dr. Dendy Engelman says, “Hyperpigmentation can be successfully treated by 1 percent hydrocortisone twice daily, although it can take months to see results.”

Apply a hydrocortisone ointment twice per day for two weeks to calm any skin inflammation and to lighten your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkly elbows.

Dr. Dendy suggests, “You can also try a skin brightener. After applying it to your face, just rub the excess on your elbows and knees.”

Skin trick: Cut a lemon in half and sink your elbows into the lemon halves for 10-15 minutes to help lighten your skin.

8) Apply A Self-Tanner

Just as with lightening rough skin, using self-tanners won’t actually correct any signs of aging, but it can temporarily improve your skin’s appearance by making it seem smoother.

When taking pictures, wrinkly elbows and other dry skin can stick out like a sore thumb. But applying a self-tanner will give you a temporarily glow, helping to cover up those areas you may be self-conscience about.

(Interesting tip for posing for pictures: If it bends, bend it! By doing this, you eliminate the loose skin being photographed.)

Most self-tanners settle more quickly in thicker, rough areas of skin — like your elbows — so make sure to moisturize the area really well before applying a self-tanner.

9) Apply SiO Beauty Patches At Night

For a tried and true method of treating wrinkles, use SiO beauty patches. These medical-grade silicone patches boost hydration, improve collagen production, and firm and plump your skin — all while you’re catching some Zs!

SiO Beauty has patches for wrinkles on your face and body...elbows and knees included! Use SiO Elbow & Knee Rescue Lift patches to treat your elbows. And then try SiO Wrinkle Rescue Pack patches to tackle any other wrinkles!

According to our experts:

“But rest assured, these patches intensify hydration and promote the skin’s natural collagen production, transforming wrinkled, aged skin -- on either your elbows or knees -- into the smooth, uplifted look of youth. Your favorite dresses and sleeveless blouses will remain in heavy rotation!”

Wrinkly Elbows In Review

Your elbow area is overused and underserved. To reduce wrinkles and loose skin on your elbows, spice up your skin care routine. Make sure you’re adding an AHA product for tough skin, and remember to exfoliate and moisturize your wrinkly elbows.

Remember, a little elbow grease never hurt anyone! Search high and low within the walls of your home to find a beauty agent that will give your elbows the treat they deserve.

Additionally, make sure to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly to eliminate your chances of loose skin and wrinkles forming around your elbows.

Also, lightening your skin and applying a self-tanner are easy ways to give your skin a youthful glow and minimize the appearance of wrinkly elbows.

Last, but not least, wear SiO Elbow & Knee Rescue Lift patches to give your elbows the hydration boost they need!