Shaving or plucking underarm hair too often may cause dark underarms, so moisturizing can be helpful to reduce underarm irritation. Always use a soap or shaving foam before shaving, and choose one for sensitive skin.
After shaving, the blunt tip of the regrown hair can make your arms look darker, but this is just an optical illusion due to the hair's texture and thickness, not a change in your actual skin color.
Here are three practical strategies to help prevent and reduce shaving-induced skin darkening: Preparation is Key: For Razor/Wet Shaving: Begin with a thorough face wash using warm water to soften the skin and hair. Apply a rich, Moisturizing Shave Cream designed to shield your skin from the razor's edge.
Dark spots after shaving may be hair follicles peeking out from under the surface of your skin, clogged pores, hyperpigmentation, or scars from ingrown hairs. It may help to pluck or wax leftover hairs, exfoliate your skin, or use over-the-counter products like vitamin C serum to fade dark spots.
Mix baking soda, lemon juice, and turmeric powder together into a paste. You can add a bit of water, based on how you like the consistency. Put this paste on your armpits and leave it on for 15-20 mins. If you do this a few times a week, it will definitely lighten your armpits.
You can use a physical or chemical exfoliator, or both, to get the most effective shave. A dull razor can cause irritation and increase the risk of darkening the underarm area. Use a sharp razor with multiple blades to minimize the risk of cuts and ingrown hairs.
Shaving, on the other hand, can be done as frequently as you like, and is effective on both long and short hair. In conclusion, while waxing may have some benefits, shaving is a better choice for many people. It is quicker, easier, less painful, more affordable, and more versatile than waxing.
You could also switch to waxing, with a professional or at-home kit, or epilating to remove hair from the root, rather than bothering your skin at the sensitive surface. This is a good option, too, if your problem is actually just a bit of underarm 5 o'clock shadow.
Wait Before Applying Deodorant
Applying deodorant to freshly shaven skin may cause some discomfort. So, allow your skin time to rest to reduce the chances of irritation from the deodorant.
Shaving itself doesn't directly cause skin to darken. However, improper technique can lead to irritation, which may result in hyperpigmentation over time.
Topical creams: Prescription-strength creams containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, or azelaic acid can lighten dark spots. Over-the-counter products with BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) or vitamin C may also offer some benefits.
Additionally, it has natural bleaching properties that can help to lighten skin tone. Simply mix apple cider vinegar with water and apply to the underarms with a cotton ball. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. Repeat this process a few times a week for the best results.
"Glycerol is a very potent moisturizer for axillary skin. It hydrates the top layer of the skin and leads to the appearance of smoother and brighter skin," said Russak.
Shaving with a razor blade and/or using deodorants that contain ingredients like alcohol or fragrance can be extremely irritating to your skin. 2) Hormonal changes related to pregnancy and Addison's disease can increase melanin production that can lead to underarm darkening.
By regularly waxing your underarms, using products like Barra Brightening cream, Ipanema Ingrown Hair Serum, and following basic skin care tips, it's possible to reverse the discoloration effectively, and even prevent further damage to the skin in the future.
A dark patch (or band) of velvety skin on your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could be a sign of pre-diabetes. The medical name for the condition that causes this velvety skin is acanthosis nigricans.
Luster Cosmetics Whitening Underarm Roll On Deodorant helps brighten armpit skin and reduce dark spots. This is easy to apply and helps brighten and lighten armpits. One of the reasons why your underarm area might be dark is because you shave the area.
You're more likely to get nicks and cuts in the area, and armpits are famous for getting razor burn. Razor burn can cause deodorant to sting and burn upon application and can increase the itch you're trying to eliminate in the first place by getting rid of the hair.
Change your shaving habits to make sure that your underarms experience the least amount of friction. Always use a lubricant such as a shaving cream, and change your razor when it gets dull to prevent any cuts. Apply a natural balm or moisturizing lotion to the area to soothe the skin after shaving.
Negative side effects of waxing can include uncomfortable problems like pain, ingrown hairs, breakouts, and infected hair follicles. Even so, many people prefer waxing because of its longer-lasting results and because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to do.