No matter what your skin color is, darkness or skin discoloration on body parts could really affect how you look at yourself.
This skin issue can be annoying, frustrating, and very embarrassing.
Discoloration or dark, ugly patches of skin typically appear around the neck, on the knees, elbows, bikini area, and underarms.
It is a common issue because most people, especially women, worry about how to get flawless skin without dark spots and patches.
Dark underarms are one of the most common problems that people, especially women, face every day.
It somehow sacrifices your freedom by limiting your movement and outfit choices because you never dare to raise your arms too high or wear sleeveless tops or else risk exposing to the world the hidden darkness of your armpits!
But what really causes discoloration or darkness of the underarms?
Are whitening soaps, creams, and deodorants helpful?
What can you do about it if these solutions don’t work?
What are effective ways to get rid of and prevent discoloration?
How do underarm whitening scrubs help?
Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions!
What are ten Causes of Dark Skin Underarms?
Dark underarms could be due to the following causes discussed here:
1. Shaving:
Shaving is one of the major reasons for dark underarms because it causes the hair which is usually darker than the skin to stay very close to the surface, making that area appear darker.
It can also irritate and cause skin abrasion, which leads to darker, sensitive, and hardened skin.
2. Hair Removal or Depilatory Creams:
Hair removal creams are effective in smoothly and painlessly removing hair.
However, the chemicals that these creams contain can also irritate and darken the skin.
3. Sweat:
Dark underarms can also be considered one of the most common exercise-induced skin conditions.
Excessive perspiration and poor underarm ventilation can also cause dark underarms.
Sweat allows the growth of bacteria that can irritate and infect the skin or even cause body odor.
Underarms also naturally receive less ventilation than most body parts, especially when you wear tight clothes that do not allow the skin to breathe. All of these lead to darker underarms.
4. Dead Skin Cell Accumulation:
Throughout the course of natural skin turnover, our skin cells die and accumulate on the outer skin surface, causing discoloration or dark spots.
5. Alcohol-based Deodorants and Antiperspirant Products:
Due to differences in body chemistry, the alcohol and chemical contents, as well as specific ingredients and fragrances found in these products, may lead to inflammatory reactions on the skin, causing discoloration.
6. Acanthosis Nigricans:
Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition associated with increased insulin levels in the blood due to diabetes or obesity.
This may cause too much stimulation of skin cells, leading to darkness and abnormal skin growth.
It appears as dark marks on the armpits, neck, and groin regions.
7. Smoker’s Melanosis:
This condition is characterized by hyperpigmentation that arises from chronic tobacco smoking.
The dark patches, especially on the armpits, usually persist as smoking continues and start to disappear when smokers quit.
8. Melasma:
Often appearing during pregnancy, melasma is the discoloration of underarms and skin areas exposed to the sun due to hormonal changes.
It can also be due to oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapies.
Rule out and try to treat melasma before trying natural remedies.
9. Bacterial Infection:
Also known as erythrasma, a bacterial infection may cause dark underarms that develop from pink patches or brown scales.
It affects individuals in warm climates and can often be treated with topical or oral antibiotics.
10. Addison’s Disease:
This is a medical condition wherein the required amounts of hormones like mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids are not produced by the adrenal glands.
This results in areas not exposed to the sun, such as the armpits.
So, generally, dark underarms are not a serious medical condition or a disease.
It is simply a skin problem similar to suntans.
To know how to correctly treat it, you need to understand the culprit.
7 Natural Underarm Whitening Scrubs:
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend too much on treatments and ideas about how to whiten dark underarms.
In fact, you can use ingredients found in your home to make scrubs that are effective and natural ways to whiten underarms:
For examples and instructions on how to make them keep reading below:
1. Baking soda and coconut oil Underarm Whitening Scrub:
Baking soda is effective at gently exfoliating and whitening the skin while coconut oil moisturizes and nourishes it.
Baking soda also has a bleaching property that prevents hyperpigmentation, evens out the skin tone, prevents oil and sweating, and neutralizes the skin pH to prevent darkening.
It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
To make this paste, simply mix together 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons baking soda to form a thick paste.
Apply the paste onto clean underarms, massaging using circular movements for two minutes.
Leave on for five to ten minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water and patting it dry.
Do this 2 to 3 times per week before taking a bath.
You can also substitute 2 tbsp of organic apple cider vinegar, water, rosewater, raw honey, or the juice of half a lemon instead of coconut oil.
Swap the baking soda with some brown sugar for a nice homemade body scrub for winter.
2. Cucumber, Baking Soda, Olive Oil, And Lemon Underarm Whitening Scrub:
Both lemon and cucumber are common underarm whitening ingredients with bleaching properties that help reduce discoloration while olive oil and baking soda help in natural skin exfoliation to remove dead skin cells.
Cucumber also helps soothe the skin and prevent irritation.
The combination of these dead skin removal scrub ingredients also acts as an antiperspirant and skin conditioner.
You will need a cucumber, 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
First, grate the cucumber and mix this with the other ingredients to make a paste.
Apply on the underarms and scrub gently.
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
Pat the skin dry and moisturize.
For best results, do this 3 to 4 times per week.
3. Lemon and Spice Underarm Whitening Scrub:
Lemon is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic cleanser and whitener.
The acidity helps lighten and exfoliate the skin.
To make this homemade underarm whitening scrub, get a thick slice of lemon and rub it onto your underarms with a pinch or two of turmeric.
You can also combine lemon juice with a little honey or yogurt and a pinch or two of turmeric powder to make a paste.
Leave it on for about 10 minutes before taking a bath or washing it off with water.
You can do this daily but make sure to apply a moisturizer afterward since lemon may dry the skin.
4. Walnut powder and Honey Underarm Whitening Scrub:
Ground walnuts are another natural exfoliant scrub to remove darkness, dirt, and dead cells caused by deodorants and sweat.
Honey, on the other hand, moisturizes and nourishes the skin.
Combine 1 teaspoon of raw honey, 1 teaspoon of powdered walnuts, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to make a fine paste.
Apply on your underarms and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.
Then, wet your hands and scrub gently for a few minutes before rinsing with water and patting it dry.
Repeat this 2 to 3 times per week.
5. Lemon and Brown Sugar Underarm Whitening Scrub:
This underarm whitening scrub DIY is useful for removing dark underarms due to shaving.
Simply mix some lemon juice and brown sugar or granulated sugar in a bowl to make a paste.
Apply on the underarms for 5 to 10 minutes.
Afterward, dampen your fingers and gently scrub for a few minutes before rinsing off and patting dry.
Do this 2 to 3 times per week.
6. Dried orange peels Underarm Whitening Scrub:
Oranges also have bleaching and exfoliating properties aside from having a fruity, pleasant fragrance.
Rosewater and milk also help add moisture and nourishment to the skin.
For a great armpit whitening scrub, dry the peels of a medium orange under some shade.
Once dry, grind it to a powder. Combine with enough and equal amounts of some milk and rosewater to make a thick paste.
Use this to gently scrub the underarms for about 10 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.
7. Chickpea flour mask Underarm Whitening Scrub:
This mask is a good exfoliating scrub for underarms that also moisturizes, cleanses, and bleaches the skin.
Mix two tablespoons of gram flour or chickpea flour, 1 tablespoon of yogurt, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and a big pinch of turmeric powder into a smooth paste.
Apply on the underarms and leave for half an hour before rinsing off with water.
For best results, use it every day for two weeks then twice a week afterward.
What Are The Precautions And Tips For Underarm Whitening Scrub Usage?
1. It is advisable to do a patch test first before using these scrubs on your underarms. The skin here is very delicate and sensitive, so it’s important to first see how your skin will react with the ingredients.
2. You may also simply wipe the scrubs to your underarms for a start.
3. Adding a tablespoon of honey can add benefits to any scrub.
4. Be careful and gentle when exfoliating. Exfoliating too hard or too often can do more harm than good. It can lead to scarring and infection of the hair follicles, pores, and sweat glands.
5. After using scrubs, take a bath and apply moisturizer afterward to prevent dryness.
6. You can also use the juice of a grated potato for a whitening scrub.
7. Consult your doctor first to ensure the right treatment for your dark underarms depending on the underlying cause.
8. Follow directions on how often and when is the right time to exfoliate using these scrubs.
What Are Some Prevention Tips For Dark Armpits?
As they say, prevention is always better than cure.
So, it’s advisable to know and follow certain tips to avoid worsening or getting dark underarms.
These include the following:
1. Do not use blunt or dull razors when shaving to reduce razor bumps fast. This also helps on how to remove armpit skin tags and discoloration.
2. Shave less and avoid depilatory creams that contain harsh chemicals and strong acids. Opt for waxing instead.
3. Exfoliate using natural scrubs at least once every month. There are also many dry brushing benefits for the skin.
4. Minimize your use of contraceptive pills.
5. Maintain a healthy weight.
6. Avoid wearing tight clothes.
7. Wash your armpits with gentle soaps and cleansers every bath.
8. Moisturize your armpits.
9. Use natural deodorants instead of commercial deodorants.
10. Observe good hygiene.
11. Keep an eye on diabetes and other diseases by modifying your diet to contain fewer sugars and starches.
12. Do not bleach your underarms.
FAQ’s:
Que: How to get rid of dark armpits fast?
Ans: steps to lighter underarms
- Change your deodorant or antiperspirant.
- Stop shaving. Try waxing or laser hair removal instead.
- Exfoliate. Use a gentle body scrub or exfoliant on area two to three times per week.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Try to quit smoking, if you do.
Que: How do you get rid of dark underarms overnight?
Ans: Home remedies to lighten dark underarms
- Baking soda.
- Coconut oil.
- Apple cider vinegar.
- Olive oil.
- Lemon.
- Potato juice.
- Aloe vera.
Conclusion:
There are many ways to remove and prevent dark underarms.
If you follow these tips and try these natural underarm whitening scrub suggestions, you can soon raise your arms with confidence and wear strapless or sleeveless clothes without care!