8 Factors That May Be Causing Your Dark Underarms

Have you ever hesitated to raise your arms, feeling self-conscious about dark underarms? You're not alone! Dark underarms are a common concern that affects both men and women. Some wear it with their hands covered while others wear it in gloves, the good news is that knowing the causes of joint pains helps to solve it. Below are eight possible causes of underarm pigmentation and what you should do about them.  

 1. Frequent Shaving 

Yes it may be fast and easy, well shaving can be the very reason for the dark underarms. Here's why: when shaving the hair you are actually shaving from the skin surface and the part inside the skin remains which makes the under arms appear dark. In the long run, the skin becomes sensitive due to this process and this leads to formation of black spots on the skin. 

Solution: Go to milder forms such as waxing, epilating or electrolysis, lasering and so on. Waxing takes the hair off at the root, which eliminates the problem of shadowing as well as the surface skin cells that have dead skin cells that can contribute to getting darker. 

 2. Buildup of Dead Skin Cells

This area is one of the least likely to be considered for exfoliation, although you should know that our underarms are the sort of regions which collect dead skin cells, particularly due to regular sweating. Due to the dead cells accumulation on the skin’s surface that can give a dark skin colour after sometime. 

Solution: Use of mild scrub for exfoliation or chemexfoliation where glycolic acid is used is also useful. Exfoliation should be done at least 2-3 times per week to have a healthy skin which is smooth and bright.

3. Deodorants and Antiperspirants

People don’t pay much attention to the skin on our underarms particularly when it comes to exfoliation despite the fact that it is a region that experiences a lot of sweating thus accumulation of dead skin cells. Such dead cells may pile up giving the skin a blackish shade over a period of time. 

Solution: Washing with a soft scrub or using chemical peeling, which can be, for instance, glycolic peeling, will do. In an ideal world, it is recommended to exfoliate the skin, at least twice in a week up to thrice depending on the skin’s sensitivity and demand. 

 4. Friction from Tight Clothing 

Wearing clothes that are tight in some parts of the body such as the armpits, especially those clothes made from non-artificial materials are likely to cause friction. This friction rubs the skin and in the end, the patches thus turning black develop on the skin. They are experienced mostly by individuals who wear tight clothes especially on the upper part of the body or wear synthetic clothes in most of their daily activities that make the skin unable to breathe. 

Solution: Choose loosen structure and moisture permeable fabrics such as cotton when making your deposit during warm seasons. Apart from this, it will minimise the abrasion which in turn will deter the worsening of the darkening due to accumulation of sweat. 

 5. Hyperpigmentation Disorders 

In some cases dark underarms may be due to a skin condition called Acanthosis Nigricans. This condition results in acanthosis and hyperpigmentation on areas that are fold or creases like the armpit. It has a closer connection with some diseases such as insulin resistance, obesity and endocrine disturbances. 

Solution: In such cases, it is advisable to seek the services of a dermatologist so you can be advised on the right way to go since some of the conditions may not necessarily be skin related. The treatments are usually topical application of creams with retinoids or chemicals for peeling of the skin. Skin also has a chance to look better when insulin resistance, for example, known to worsen skin’s appearance, is treated.

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6. Hormonal Changes

A woman ‘s skin may also darken during pregnancy, puberty, or as a result of PCOS or hormonal changes. These changes caused by the hormonal changes increase the melanin hormone, a pigment that is involved in the skin colour hence the darker skin colour underarms. 

Solution: Hormonal darkening usually fades away after some time once hormones stabilise, however, there are creams that can be bought which can be used to remove the darkened area or natural remedies such as application of lemon and turmeric. In any case, seek advice from a health care provider to deal with hormonal fluctuations accordingly. 

 7. Excessive Sweating 

Sweating is normal but excessive sweating which is referred to as hyperhidrosis can make your underarms dark. Sweat mixed with friction or at times bacteria creates a bad environment for the skin causing it to discolour. It also increases the chances of clogging of pores by deodorant and antiperspirants thus imprisoning bacteria and dead skin cells. 

Solution: There is specially designed antiperspirant for hyperhidrosis or you can consult a doctor and get treatments like Botox injection to minimise the amount of sweat. It’s also advisable to make sure that you wash your underarms frequently and then proceed to pat the region dry so that its skin will not get irritated. 

 8.Shaving or Waxing on Irritated Skin

On some occasions, we are pressured just to keep our skin sleek and course-free without considering its texture. Any abrasive movement on the skin especially when shaving or waxing on an already irritated skin or when shaving without cream will cause initial scarring which in turn causes the skin to darken.

Solution: It is always important to prepare the skin well for body hair removal. Shave only after the skin has been wet and preferably after applying a shaving cream of your choice. This should only be waxed by a professional or if one has to do it then it has to be done carefully. Thus, using ingredients such as aloe Vera for it has great results after hair removal and it also soothes the skin from irritation commonly caused by the hair removal creams.

Natural Remedies for Dark Underarms

After identifying what might be causing your dark underarms, the next step is treatment! Here are a few natural remedies that can help lighten the area:

• Lemon Juice: Known for its natural bleaching properties, lemon juice can help reduce pigmentation. Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to your underarms, leave it on for 10 minutes, and rinse. Be sure to moisturise afterward, as lemon can be drying.

  
  

• Potato Slices: It also contains mild acids, chemicals that can bleach the skin naturally without having to apply lemon on the skin. After peeling a potato, you just need to make a thin slice of it and rub it on areas that have been invaded by armpit smell, or splash out the potato juice to the underarms for 15 minutes before washing it off.  

  
  

• Cucumber: Mask material helps nourish complexion, reduce spots and dark skin, as well as contains a lot of antioxidants and nourishing properties of a cucumber. This, when applied on the affected areas, be it by rubbing the slices of cucumber under your arms or dilution of cucumber juice with a pinch of turmeric will give you the desired colour.  

  
  

• Baking Soda and Water Paste: This also works effectively as a gentle scrub to the face and the skin. Baking soda and water should be used to make a paste that shall be applied on the underarms and left to dry for 10 minutes then washed off. 

How to Avoid Dark Underarms 

In addition to treating your underarms, taking steps to prevent further darkening is essential: 

• Stay Hydrated: So with regards to evening the skin tone, it is imperative that you hydrate your skin from the inside to out. 

• Choose Skin-Friendly Products: Choose organic compounds free of alcohol which won’t harm the skin when used to produce the desired effect of controlling sweat production.  

• Regular Exfoliation: To avoid build-up of dead skins on your underarms, exfoliating should be done every week.  

•  Wear Breathable Fabrics: Do not wear tight flossy types of materials that may chaff your skin during the journey and deprive your skin of air.  

•  Consult a Dermatologist: If natural products are not helpful, then professional procedures such as chemical peeling or laser therapy can be helpful. 

Final Thoughts

Underarm darkness is a concern to many people, but like any other skin discoloration, it is perfectly natural and in most circumstances can be easily corrected. Thus, if you discover that one of those causes includes shaving, excessive sweating or hormonal changes, you can gradually reduce the darkness of the area and get your confidence back.Remember, it's all about gentle care, patience, and making sure your skin feels as good as it looks!