Dark areas of skin may occur when pigment cells in the skin multiply faster than usual. This can occur as a result of repeated hair removal. Regularly shaving the underarms can lead to excessive production of pigment cells.
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.
A dark patch (or band) of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could mean that you have too much insulin in your blood. This is often a sign of prediabetes. The medical name for this skin condition is acanthosis nigricans.
Hormones can also trigger armpit darkness. For example, abnormal levels of progesterone and estrogen can stimulate the excess production of melanin, which in turn, leads to increased skin pigment in sensitive areas (such as the armpits). This is known as melasma.
Sadly, dark underarms will not miraculously fade on their own. The only way you can fix the problem is if you address the root. So if your black armpits stem from excessive sweating, you need a good antiperspirant. If the culprit is excessive shaving or dryness, lessen shaving times and moisturize the area well.
Why Do Deodorants Cause Dark Underarms? Several of the ingredients in deodorants, such as parabens, alcohol, and fragrances, can irritate the skin and cause inflammation, which leads to thickening and darkening over time.
Dove Even Tone Rejuvenating Blossom is perfect for helping to restore your natural underarm skin tone. This womens deodorant is enriched with ingredients that help to address uneven skin under arms.
“Products with niacinamide and vitamin C will help lighten dark underarms,” Dr. Jaliman points out. “You don't want to use strong ingredients since the skin under your arms is a sensitive area.”
1: Lighten Underarms: The use of charcoal soap as a lightening agent works well for dark under arms. As charcoal is a natural bleaching agent and has antibacterial property with the lightening nature it is an excellent solution to lighten your underarm.
Deodorants and antiperspirants: These products contain different kinds of chemicals such as paraben, alcohol, fragrances, etc. that can inflame your skin. Over time, the inflammation causes thickening and darkening of your skin.
Exfoliation removes the buildup of dead skin cells and once that happens, the output of pigment in the area will decrease. As a result, your armpits will start to lighten up and return to its natural tone.
Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade. If you're concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor before going on a diet. Doctors may prescribe creams or lotions that can help lighten the skin. But most of the time, acanthosis nigricans doesn't need treatment.
To reduce the appearance of acanthosis nigricans, some people try topical or cosmetic treatments. Examples of topical creams and ointments are: retinoids containing a combination of tretinoin. ammonium lactate, which people may use with a topical retinoid.
Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) – this is a skin pigmentation disorder characterized by thickened or darkened skin in the armpits, neck, and groin. AN can be inherited and is common in people who are overweight, have darker skin, and have diabetes or abnormal hormone levels.
Common symptoms of diabetes: Urinating often. Feeling very thirsty. Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating.
Chemicals and skin irritation – Some active ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants can dry and irritate your skin. This irritation can result in darkening or thickening of the skin over time. Having sensitive skin or applying a lot of products in the area makes you more prone to these side effects.
Underarm darkening is another potential side effect of using a deodorant that contains baking soda. We only hear about this on occasion and it usually occurs in individuals who have darker skin tones to begin with.
"Perspiration levels are not as high compared to daytime and usually the 'deodorizing' is most important during the daytime. While using it occasionally at bedtime is not harmful, use of deodorants around the clock may be an additional source of unnecessary irritation to the skin."
Antiperspirant is most effective when applied to clean, dry skin. If you use it in the morning right after your shower, your skin might be too wet to absorb the formula properly. If you apply it when you're rushing out the door, your antiperspirant may not have enough time to block your sweat glands.
Applying antiperspirant straight after showering
It makes sense to put your antiperspirant on as soon as you're clean to prevent any rogue sweating. But the problem is, your pits might still be damp. "To get the best results you apply antiperspirant to completely dry skin," says Dr Dawn.
Taking a shower in the morning after you put on antiperspirant at night can remove some of the fragrance, so it can be nice to add a layer of deodorant after showering for a fresh feeling. If you tend to sweat a lot, you may wish to apply deodorant or antiperspirant more often.
Expect to Detox
If you've been using conventional deodorant or antiperspirant for years, it can take 2-4 weeks to detox and release all of the aluminum in your pits that's been preventing you from sweating. During this time, you might notice that you're a little more stinky than usual.
When you stop using antiperspirant you will experience a substantial increase in growth of odor-causing bacteria in the underarm area. You may also feel additional moisture because your body is sweating, which is completely normal and natural.