Dark Armpits: How to Prevent and Safely Lighten Underarms

It is extremely hot in Nairobi right now and this is definitely the best time to wear those tank tops, sleeveless dresses and off-shoulder tops.

However, if you are having a problem with dark underarms, you might find these outfits a bit uncomfortable to wear. Speaking from personal experience, dark underarms are just downright annoying.

For the most part, I don’t think about my underarms. I mean, they are hidden 90 percent of the time anyway. Then the moment comes when I’m angling my phone over my head for the perfect selfie, and my dark pits are on full display.

So, I started to wonder. What causes armpits to darken over time? And what can I do about it?

Common Causes of Dark Armpits

Frequent Shaving or plucking underarm hair

People, including me, shave their underarms quite a bit, which can lead to inflammation, as well as repetitive trauma and friction.

Whenever there’s any repetitive friction on the skin, the skin responds by becoming a little bit thicker, and thicker skin is often a little bit darker, or hyperpigmented.

Diabetes

The majority of people with this condition are insulin resistant. Being insulin resistant means that the body has become less sensitive to the effects of insulin. Insulin resistance can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes has been known to cause areas of the body to darken, and this includes dark underarms.

Hormonal disorders

People with an underactive thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or other hormonal disorders are more likely to have pigmentation on their armpits than others.

Medication use

Some medications, including birth control pills, insulin, high-dose niacin, and corticosteroids, may cause darkening of the pits.

Obesity

People who are obese are more likely to notice dark skin in their underarms and other areas of their body. According to research, more than half of adults who weigh over 200 percent of their ideal body weight have discoloration on parts of their body.

Read Also: The Perfect Skin Care Routine to Follow for Glowing Skin

How to Treat Dark Underarms

Moisturizing the Underarms

Shaving or plucking underarm hair too often may cause dark underarms, so moisturizing can be helpful to reduce underarm irritation.

Always use a soap or shaving foam before shaving, and choose one for sensitive skin.

Apply a natural and unscented moisturizing lotion to the area after shaving to reduce irritation and prevent changes in the skin.

You can also try to use natural moisturizers like aloe-vera, lecithin etc.

Laser Hair Removal 

Laser hair removal addresses the issue of frequent underarm shaving because the procedure targets the pigment in the hair. Heat builds up in a fraction of seconds, destroys the hair follicle and thus retards and prevents any future hair growth.

There are centers here in Kenya that offer safe laser hair removals such as the Avane Clinic and Adara CosMedics. Though a bit pricy, laser hair removal is very effective and safe.

Lifestyle changes

Obesity is one of the leading causes of dark underarms. Losing weight can often fix the problem. Weight loss is an effective way to treat diabetes, too.

Talk to your doctor or fitness trainer about diet and fitness strategies to help you get down to a healthy weight for your height.

If oral contraceptives are at the source of your skin condition, you can try switching to a different form of birth control to see if the condition improves once the medication is stopped.

Natural Home Remedies

Tring natural bleaching agents could be the right way to go for getting rid of those dark underarms.

The acidic, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties in some vegetables and fruits allow them to lighten the skin naturally. Potatoes, cucumbers and lemons are three agents that can help eliminate dark skin under the arms.

My personal favorite is the use of lemons. Rub a thick slice of lemon on the dark area; the fruit will remove dead skin cells and lighten the skin. Follow-up by washing and, if necessary, applying moisturizer. You can also add a small amount of turmeric, plain yogurt or honey to lemon juice to make a paste that can be left on for 10 minutes and then rinsed clean.

Exfoliation

Dark underarms may be caused by dead skin cells that have accumulated there, so exfoliating can reduce the dark appearance of the skin. Sugar, baking soda and rosewater are amongst the many agents you can use to exfoliate your underarms.

With sugar, you can mix a cup of brown sugar with 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Apply to wet skin for a minute or two during a shower or bath and rinse. Try using the mixture twice a week when you bathe.

When to See a Doctor

Dark underarms can be considered normal and are usually harmless, but they are worth getting checked out by a dermatologist especially if you think you might have a condition like diabetes or an underactive thyroid gland. This is because treating the condition that caused it will usually make the dark skin fade.

If you suddenly see dark patches under your arms and on other areas of your skin, see your dermatologist or primary care doctor right away. This could be a sign of more serious condition, like cancer.

Read Also: Lifestyle Changes That Will Rid You of Dark Circles Under Eyes