Armpit whitening has become increasingly popular in recent years as people seek ways to improve the appearance of their underarms. Dark underarms can be caused by a variety of factors, including natural skin pigmentation, shaving or waxing, deodorants and antiperspirants, friction, and medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the causes of dark underarms and the various treatments available to whiten them.
IN THIS ARTICLE
08. Conclusion
What is armpit darkening?
Your skin color is determined by pigment cells called melanocytes. When these cells multiply more, they can turn the skin a darker color.
Armpit darkening is the term used to describe the discoloration or darkening of the skin in the underarm area. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including natural skin pigmentation, shaving or waxing, deodorants and antiperspirants, friction, and medical conditions. The darkening of the skin in this area can make people feel self-conscious, particularly when wearing sleeveless clothing, and has led to an increase in the popularity of armpit whitening treatments.
Often, a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans is to blame (AN). It makes the skin on the folds of the body get thicker and darker.
A 2014 summary of the condition says that anywhere from 7% to 74% of people have some kind of AN. A lot of things, like race, health, and family history, can make your underarms get darker.
With this underarm hyperpigmentation, most people feel insecure about it. Dark underarms usually aren’t a sign of anything serious, but some people may find them embarrassing — especially during tank top and swimsuit season. They feel ashamed having this discoloration even though to be honest this is a normal thing. With this many products in the market are now promoting armpit whitening using different kinds of ingredients.
CAUSES OF DARK UNDERARMS
Most of the time, your underarms are the same colour as the rest of your body. But they can get darker over time for a number of reasons, such as natural skin pigmentation, which can be more noticeable in some people. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is what makes most people’s underarms dark (PIH). Shaving or waxing can also cause irritation, inflammation, and ingrown hairs, all of which can make your underarms look darker. Some antiperspirants and deodorants have harsh chemicals in them that can change the colour of your skin over time. Darkening of the skin can also be caused by friction from tight clothing or too much sweat. Some health problems, like hormonal imbalances, diabetes, and being overweight, can also cause dark underarms.
There are many things that can cause dark underarms, such as:
Obesity
When you have extra weight, your body is less likely to respond to insulin. This hormone helps keep your blood sugar at the right level. When you have a lot of insulin in your blood, more skin pigment cells are made.
More than half of adults who are 200 percent or more over their ideal body weight notice that their underarms and other folds of skin are getting darker.
Using irritating deodorants and antiperspirants
Your underarm product that you use every day could be the cause of your hyperpigmentation without you even knowing it. Some deodorants and antiperspirants, like those with fragrances and alcohol, can irritate the skin. This is a big no-no for people with sensitive skin.
Aside from irritation and hyperpigmentation after an injury, dark underarms may also be caused by hormonal problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). People who are overweight or have diabetes are also more likely to get dark armpits.
Medication
Some medicines make your insulin levels go up, which can make your underarms look darker.
Among these are:
- insulin
- corticosteroids, such as prednisone (Rayos)
- human growth hormone
- birth control pills
- high-dose niacin (Niacor)
Improper shaving or waxing
Shaving too hard or without a lubricant can cause small cuts that irritate the skin on your armpits, which may be the most common cause of dark armpits. In the same way, waxing irritates the armpits by pulling on the hairs too hard, which can lead to hyperpigmentation over time.
Wearing tight-fitting clothes
Your armpits, groyne, elbows, and knees rub and rub against each other a lot throughout the day, and wearing tight clothes makes the problem worse.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Many skin conditions like psoriasis and allergies to things like deodorant can make the skin in the armpits and groyne get darker, especially in people with darker skin.
If you treat the problem that caused the darkened skin (pigmentation), it will get better. Lichen planus, which is much less common but something we see and treat a lot at Chroma, can also make the skin darker in these places.
Medical conditions
Dark underarms can be caused by health problems like hormonal imbalances, diabetes, or being overweight.
Natural Armpit Whitening Methods
There are several home remedies to get rid of dark underarms. Many people choose to lighten their underarms in a natural way. Proponents of natural remedies recommend using a number of things that naturally bleach, such as:
- Lemon juice: The citric acid in lemon juice can help lighten the skin under the arms because it has natural bleaching properties. Cut lemons into thick slices and rub them on your armpits. Rinse your underarms with cool water, pat them dry, and then put a moisturiser on them.
- Coconut oil: Put a few drops of coconut oil on your underarms and massage it in. After 15 minutes, use warm water and a mild soap to wash your underarms. Do these things twice or three times a week.
- Baking soda: Baking soda is a natural exfoliant that can help get rid of dead skin cells and help new, lighter skin grow in their place. Mix it with a little water to make a paste, then put it on your underarms and wash it off.
- Orange peel: The natural acids in orange peel can help to remove dead skin and lighten the skin. Dry orange peels and grind them into a powder. Mix the powder with water to make a paste, then put it on your armpits.
- Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has been shown to be a great way to get rid of dark underarms. Not only does it help lighten your underarms, but it also keeps them smelling fresh. Its anti-microbial properties fight off microbes and keep your armpits from smelling bad.
- Aloe vera: Just a small amount of Aloe Vera will be enough. It has antibacterial properties that make your skin feel better and makes the dark patches brighter.
- Apple vinegar cider: If your underarms are dark, you can always use apple cider vinegar to get rid of the problem. This kitchen ingredient is easy to find at a store near you. The amino and lactic acids in apple cider vinegar help get rid of dead skin cells. Also, its astringent properties help open up the pores, which makes the dark spots less noticeable. It also makes the area under the arms much smoother.
- Cucumber: Cucumber has natural skin-lightening properties and can help soothe and cool the skin. Cut the cucumber into thin slices and put them on your underarms for 15 to 20 minutes before washing them off.
- Milk: Lactic acid, which is found in milk, is a natural exfoliant. Soak a cotton ball in milk and put it on your underarms for a few minutes before washing it off.
- Potato: Potatoes have enzymes in them that can help make the skin brighter and lighter. Just cut up a potato, rub it on your underarms for a few minutes, and then wash it off.
- Rose Water: Rose water has soothing and brightening powers, its fragrance also combats body odour and keeps the underarm area smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to rosewater, and stir this mixture evenly. Then, apply this solution to your armpit area and wait for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
- Turmeric: Turmeric can heal and lighten the skin, so putting it on your underarms along with an antibacterial ingredient will make your skin look better and stop itching. You should try this remedy in the bathroom, though, or you might get it on your clothes. Put 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of milk in a small bowl. Mix all of the ingredients well, and then put it on your armpits. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash it off.
Products for Armpit Whitening
There are several over-the-counter products that can be used to lighten your armpits. These products can help fade and lighten dark spots on the skin and get rid of dead skin cells, making the underarms look brighter and smoother.
Underarm Whitening Creams
There are many skin care products and body care products on the market that are made with powerful active ingredients that can clear, brighten, and even out the skin tone.
Exfoliants
After figuring out what kind of brightening your underarms need, your dermatologist can suggest stronger treatments like chemical peels and exfoliators. Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, and tretinoin are all topical exfoliants that can help you achieve lighter underarms. However, the best way to treat it is to try to keep your weight in check with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Body Scrub
Body scrubs can be helpful in underarm whitening by exfoliating the skin and removing dead skin cells. Accumulation of dead skin on the surface of the skin, it can cause the skin to appear dull and uneven in tone. By using a body scrub, you can help to remove these dead skin cells and reveal brighter, fine lines and smoother skin.
Whitening Deodorant or Antiperspirant
Some deodorants say they have ingredients that make your skin whiter. Some products have natural ingredients like licorice extract and witch hazel that help lighten and smooth the skin under your arms.
Supplements
There are some supplements you can take that might help make your underarms lighter. Most of the time, the ingredients in these supplements help improve skin health and reduce hyperpigmentation. But it’s important to keep in mind that supplements shouldn’t be taken in place of good skin care and hygiene. Products like the effervescent tablets from Juju Glutathione and Juju Collagen with Vitamin C can help in reducing hyperpigmentation. Some studies have suggested that glutathione may also help to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve skin tone. While vitamin C has antioxidant properties, which can help to protect the skin from damage caused by the sun and other environmental stressors.
Medical Treatment For Whitening Underarm
Skin lightening agents like hydroquinone can be used if the underlying skin condition has been treated (but this should be used under the guidance of a dermatologist). Niacinamide and azaelaic acid may also help the area look brighter and lighter. When nothing else works, chemical peels and even lasers that target pigmentation can help lighten the skin in the area.
Risks of Armpit Whitening Treatments
Some treatments to lighten the skin may cause mild side effects that go away over time. Strong reactions are rare, unless you use something you were allergic to but didn’t know it.
Natural remedies
When you put something on your skin, even something natural like food, it could irritate your skin.
To make sure the product doesn’t irritate your skin, try it out on a small area of skin first. If your skin doesn’t react badly to the product within 48 hours, keep putting it on your whole underarm.
Medical treatments
Powerful acids, like those in skin care products, can make the skin red and irritated. They can also cause redness and sensitivity to the sun, among other things. Some acids could make your dark underarms even darker.
If your doctor gives you a cream or lotion, be sure to follow the directions. Do not leave the products on your skin for longer than recommended.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a reaction that can be caused by dermatological procedures and other types of skin damage or irritation (PIH).
Side effects of PIH include:
- redness
- pain
- dry skin
- further skin discoloration
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do armpits get dark?
There are many things that can cause dark armpits, like chemicals in deodorants and antiperspirants, irritation and abrasion from shaving, a buildup of dead skin cells from not exfoliating often enough, and friction from wearing clothes that are too tight.
Does underarm lightening work?
Most people with hyperpigmentation want to even out the colour of their skin, not make a lighter patch of skin in their armpits than the rest of their skin. Thankfully, bleaching creams for underarms don’t work that way.
Do dark underarms go away?
Sad to say, dark underarms won’t just go away on their own. You can only fix the problem if you get to the root of it. So, if you sweat a lot and have black armpits, you need a good antiperspirant. If too much shaving or dryness is to blame, cut down on how often you shave and moisturise the area well.
Are there any risks or dangers associated with armpit whitening?
Dr. Wedgeworth says that there are a number of creams that are sold illegally that contain strong steroids. “These can hurt the thin skin of the underarm, which can lead to thinness and maybe even stretch marks.” Organ damage has also been linked to some toxic lighting products.
How can I prevent my underarms from getting dark in the first place?
Preventing Dark Underarms
- Put on sunscreen often.
- Regularly scrub your skin.
- Clean up the area.
- It cleans your armpits.
- Don’t let fabrics rub together.
- Waxing.
Conclusion
Armpit whitening is a popular trend, and there are many ways to get dark underarms lighter. Home remedies, over-the-counter products, and medical treatments can all help reduce pigmentation and improve the health of your skin. Even though underarm discoloration is natural and really varies from person to person, don’t be afraid to try products if it makes you feel uncomfortable or makes you question your self-confidence. It is important to choose the best option for your individual needs and to follow prevention tips to maintain the results of armpit whitening.