As summer vacation approaches, many of us set personal goals to improve our health and appearance. These goals may include reducing belly fat, toning arm muscles, losing weight, getting a wax, and even lightening dark underarms. This is an aesthetic concern for many people.
What causes the spots and darkening in the armpits?
A variety of factors can cause darkened armpits. To effectively brighten them, it’s important to identify the root cause first. This will help you determine the best approach to getting rid of dark armpits.
Now, several reasons make the armpits look darker or with spots. Among them, we have:
- Accumulation of dead cells;
- Excessive hair removal;
- Reaction to certain products (deodorants);
- Hormonal imbalances;
- Diseases such as acanthosis nigricans;
- Diabetes, among others.
- Hyperpigmentation among darker skin peers; This occurs, for example, in the armpits or genital area, as a protective mechanism. Although in some people, it can also occur in other areas, such as the neck or feet.
Wondering how to lighten dark armpits? There are safe dermatological treatments that can help you end this aesthetic problem, as well as some home remedies that can help reduce the darkening of the skin.
How To Brighten The Dark Underarm Area
1. Don’t Shave
Shaving your armpit hair may seem easy and popular, but it can cause a cosmetic issue of darkening in the armpit region. This happens because of the constant friction caused by shaving, which can lead to thickening skin in that area. Consequently, the skin may appear darker compared to the surrounding skin. Exploring other hair removal methods or taking preventative measures like using a mild exfoliant or moisturizing regularly is advisable to avoid this.InsertRephrase
Removing armpit hair through waxing or plucking can also be an effective method to avoid skin darkening.
But if you opt to shave, consider how you shave, don’t risk your skin getting damaged with dry shave or water only. Always use shaving cream to minimize your skin getting damaged.
2. Exfoliate
Similar to any other area of the skin that requires exfoliation from time to time, armpits may need additional scrubbing as their location increases the likelihood of dead skin accumulation. This build-up of dead skin cells can lead to darker or superficial hyperpigmentation.
When dead keratin builds up under the armpits and is not properly removed, it can lead to dark discoloration.
Exfoliation is in use for superficial pigmentation, not deep-rooted pigmentation.
To exfoliate effectively, use a scrub-type exfoliator and gently cleanse the armpit area while removing dirt and dead skin cells. And when choosing an exfoliator, always look for one designed for sensitive skin.
Here are some of the most recommended acid exfoliators that might work best for you
– Salicylic Acid
BHA, or Beta Hydroxy Acid, is an ingredient that can effectively dissolve lipids and unclog skin pores. This property makes it an ideal choice for exfoliators, as it can remove superficial hyperpigmentation and help lighten the armpit area.
– Glycolic Acid
One great option for exfoliating is to use an ingredient that helps remove dead skin cells and encourages cell turnover. This can be effective in combatting hyperpigmentation. However, those with sensitive skin may find this ingredient too harsh for their skin.
3. Apply Pigmentation Removal Cream
Dark armpits are often caused by pigmentation, although not always. If your dark armpits are due to high melanin pigment, a specific pigmentation removal cream may be helpful in lightening the pigmentation.
Retinoids cream will also be a good option for helping deep-rooted hyperpigmentation.
4. Control Eating Habits
Eating low-fat fibers and complex carbohydrates for insulin resistance can help with dark armpits.
It is recommended to increase the intake of whole wheat multigrain rather than white bread and unsaturated fats.
5. Deodorants
not all deodorants favor our skin, the armpits are delicate, and there are completely aggressive antiperspirants. These types of products tend to irritate this area and can stain or darken it. It is advisable to use neutral deodorants without fragrance or alcohol.
Note: Although it’s not common, deodorant products and antiperspirants that remove odor can cause darkening of the armpits.
Fragrances in deodorant can sometimes irritate, leading to hyperpigmentation.
And the best solution is either to stop the use of deodorants or replace the deodorant with fragrance-free and alcohol-free deodorant.
Native Deodorant
It contains baking soda or natrum bicarbonate, which is less irritating than aluminum.
6. Don’t Forget SPF
The oblivious part of the body we mostly just ignored with the SPF exposure. It’s essential to protect your pits with sunscreen if you have an outdoor plan with sleeveless tops.
7. Maintain proper hygiene
Never compromise your basic hygiene.
8. Laser Treatment and Peeling
If the above method does not solve it, you might want to consider getting a laser treatment to brighten the dark armpit with dermatologist guidance.
How to avoid dark armpits
In addition to the previous treatments to lighten the armpits, there are a number of tips that you can follow in your daily routine to prevent the skin in this area from darkening:
- Wax the armpits instead of shaving the hair.
- Use alcohol-free deodorants that do not irritate the skin.
- Use neutral soaps to shower.
- Moisturize underarm skin every day with nourishing and soothing body creams.
- Exfoliate the skin of the armpits at least once a week.
- Wear loose shirts that favor perspiration in the area.
