Dark underarms usually aren't a sign of anything serious, but some people may find them embarrassing — especially during tank top and swimsuit season. Darkening is often due to a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans (AN). It causes skin to thicken and darken in folds around the body.
Darkening armpits can be triggered by hormonal disorders, improper shaving, or Acanthosis nigricans. Professor and Interim Chair of Dermatology, Dr. Adam Friedman explains that deodorant or certain medications can also cause armpit darkening.
Dark armpits are generally harmless but seek medical advice if you believe your condition stems from a hormonal issue like underactive thyroid, PCOS, or diabetes. If the darkness is due to habits like wearing tight clothes or shaving, you may be given topical whiteners, chemical peels, or vitamin D creams.
Although dark underarms are usually harmless, they're worth getting checked out by a dermatologist — especially if you think you might have a condition like diabetes or an underactive thyroid gland. Treating the condition that caused it will usually make the dark skin fade.
Body odour is a common problem in the summer and many deodorants contain aluminum salts that dry out the sweat but in turn clog the pores, often leading to darkening of the underarms.
“Baking soda is a natural exfoliator that unclogs the pores and lightens dark underarms. Lemon also contains antiseptic properties and is known as the natural bleaching agent. To use this, mix baking soda and lemon to make a paste.
On top of genetics and underlying health conditions, there are a few external factors that can cause darkening in the area. Deodorants and antiperspirants have ingredients that can irritate the skin, and any inflammation can lead to a thickening — and darkening — of the skin over time.
Organic bleach is great!
But the skin under our arms is way more delicate than the rest of our body. Which is why only organic, mild bleach works great for reducing dark underarms. If you use regular bleach on your underarm area, you will experience the same kind of burn similar to if you use perfume.
Baking Soda And Lemon For The Rescue
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and lemon each to make a paste. Scrub it over your underarms for about 5 minutes, wash it off using lukewarm water, and finish up by moisturising your skin. Repeat this method 3 or 4 times a week for effective results.
armpit (n.)
mid-14c., "hollow place under the shoulder," from arm (n. 1) + pit (n. 1).
Toothpaste has bleaching properties that whiten dark underarms. However, make sure to use only white toothpaste since coloured variants have chemicals that can irritate sensitive underarm skin. Matcha green tea is antioxidant that will scrub away the dead skin cells and unclog the pores.
Sorry, ladies. It's all #FakeNews. Instead of bleaching your underarms, acids found in calamansi and apple cider vinegar do the exact opposite. “Calamansi may cause irritant contact dermatitis that could lead to dark underarms,” Sy-Chua remarks.
The Role of Underarm Hair
They found that the absence of hair optimizes cleansing and makes one's daily hygiene more effective in reducing body odor. Similarly, a 2012 study published in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology states that the odor of shaved armpits (in men) was rated more attractive than hairy armpits.
Armpit hair prevents skin-to-skin contact when doing certain activities, such as running and walking. The same thing happens with pubic hair, as it reduces friction during sex and other activities.
Because hair holds onto moisture, shaving your armpits may result in less sweating, or at least less noticeable sweating (sweat rings on your shirt sleeves, for example). Shaving may also cut down on the odor associated with sweat. Most hair is porous, meaning it's able to absorb and hold onto sweat.
We want you to know that using lemon juice to lighten armpits is a myth. It has never been proven to work, and it can actually be a dangerous practice! Lemon has been shown to lead to the exact issue you are trying to avoid – more hyperpigmentation.
The acidity of a lemon will lighten dark underarms area and exfoliate your skin, removing the dead cells from skin surface. Rub your underarms with a lemon slice; wait for couple of minutes, then wash off. Because lemon has a high acidity though, be sure to moisturise afterwards or it may create dry skin or irritation.
Prevents chafing – Chafing happens when body parts rub together or against clothing, causing a painful skin irritation. Apply petroleum jelly to problem areas like the inner thighs, underarms, or nipples to prevent the irritation.
The significant part is that I can notice visible differences in my pigmentation and dark underarms using both the dove even tone spray and roll-on. My pigmentation reduces to a great extent. It provides visibly brighter and even-toned underarms.
Using deodorant and antiperspirants is essential to stay fresh all day but the presence of alcohol and other harmful ingredients can cause the underarm skin to get darker. It is recommended to use an alcohol-free deodorant.
Tawas Powder is an Effective Deodorant
Tawas powder also has a known whitening effect on the skin so if you are trying to lighten your underarm areas; this is an excellent item to use.