Tag: Sweating

What’s the problem?
When it comes to your armpits, it is the melanin that causes the area to become darker either through external assault or internal aggression. What exactly are these aggressions? Before trying any of the underarm skin whitening remedies, treatments or creams, ensure you know the cause of dark under arms. Otherwise, you might be treating a wrong cause where you are likely to fail.

Here are some common causes that leave you with undesirable under arms.

Use of alcohol-based Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants are the most used products against excessive sweating. They work by seeping into pores and plugging sweat ducts. Aluminum compounds and other active antiperspirant ingredients are often dissolved in alcohol because it dries quickly and feels cool when applied. But it may also dry out the skin and cause antiperspirant irritation. Although rare, there could be a likelihood that some ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants could cause dark skin under armpits. Try switching brands or using a deodorant instead of an antiperspirant.

Excessive rubbing / Friction
If the flab on your underarms is constantly rubbing against something, it may result in hyper- keratosis, which is the thickening of the skin which actually provides protection against irritation. With hyper-keratosis comes hyperpigmentation, also known as “discoloration”. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to prevent this due to the anatomy of your underarms. But you can minimize the friction. Avoid wearing rough clothing that can aggravate your underarm skin. Also, try to wear looser clothes that minimize this contact.

Hormonal changes
Periodically, your body goes through hormonal changes, like when you get pregnant. This causes your body to increase the production of melanin, leading to blotchiness, uneven skin tone, and skin darkening on the upper lip, neck and yes, your underarms as well. Sometimes the discoloration goes away. But for some, it may stay on even after your pregnancy. See a dermatologist if the problem persists.

Bacteria
If you do not clean your under arms properly, they will obviously appear black and dark. Dead skin will build up and microorganisms will thrive in the dark and sweaty conditions of your underarms. This may lead to a chronic infection in the deeper layers of your underarm skin, which then leads to the formation of rough, discolored skin that is red in the first place but slowly changes to become brown. So it’s important to wash your armpits regularly with an anti-bacterial soap. Preferably use a wash with tea tree. Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic properties and is very effective in killing bacteria.

A medical condition called acanthosis nigricans.
Dark underarms may also be as a result of a medical condition that is known as acanthosis nigricans, which is often associated with insulin resistance, obesity, hormonal disorders, certain medications, and cancer. Areas affected feel velvety and are a dark gray or brown color. Consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.There are many treatments available at skin clinics like laser and peels that could lighten the pigmentation.

Shaving / Waxing
Know how your guy’s stubble looks dark and rough by the evening? Well, the same is happening to your underarm skin if shaving is your preferred method for hair removal. Underarm hair that has been shaved tends to be darker and coarser. Underarm waxing has its own drawbacks. It doesn’t truly get rid of underarm hair, but only reduces it. This means the hair will grow back and as it grows back, you will have to undergo another round of waxing, which can be uncomfortable at times and never ending! Instead of shaving or waxing, consider laser hair removal. These procedures remove hair below the skin’s surface and reduce the visibility of the hair.

Try Laser Hair Removal
As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure, the best way to prevent dark under arms would be Laser Hair Removal as it’s a hair reduction*. Not only can laser hair removal of the armpits erase hair growth, but it also wipes away follicles and stubble that make your underarm dark-coloured and unsightly. So you need not worry about that unwanted stubble and can spread your arms lovingly, anytime!

Home remedies
You may try exfoliating your underarm with lemon & sugar scrub or soda bicarbonate with water. You may also try applying potato or cucumber juice for your dark underarms. But if these remedies do not show results, please consult a dermatologist.

Kosmoderma Skin, Hair & Lasers Clinics are dedicated to medical excellence in the field of Cosmetic Dermatology with international accreditation and facilities.
We offer scientifically proven treatments using US FDA approved technology. All our products have undergone extensive research and trials in USA, Europe and India. We pride ourselves in offering safe, effective and affordable treatments with high standards of quality. Kosmoderma gives personalized consults with skin care and uses facial analyzer and 3D imaging of the skin to analyze and personalize the treatments and skin regimen.