How to Get Rid of Dark Armpits?


Why do the underarms darken as compared to the surrounding regions? There may be several contributing factors. Early in life, specific lifestyle changes would help prevent it. Some of the causes include melasma which is defined as dark skin patches. An increase in melanin causes hyperpigmentation which can also result from smoking. Erythrasma is a bacterial skin infection that might be the cause. Diabetes and obesity could lead to acanthosis nigricans. Addison’s disease is another possibility due to a damaged adrenal gland. Deodorants contain skin irritants that can make the armpits dark. Dead skin cells too can be a possible cause.

Stop worrying about the possible causes. Get down to some action that would lighten the darkened skin. Consult a dermatologist to find the cause and a cosmetic treatment if preferred. Alternatively, make a start with natural remedies that are free of chemicals. You can easily get these ingredients at home! Search the kitchen, garden, and fridge. Along with vegetables in the kitchen and fruits on the table, aloe vera may be available in the garden. One of the whitening packs, exfoliation, liquid treatment, or bleaching agents should solve the problem.

Read this tutorial and apply one of the suggested methods as per your convenience to get rid of dark artmpits.

First Method – Natural Bleaching

Certain fruits and vegetables contain anti-bacterial agents. Lemon, cucumber, and potato are good examples that help to brighten dark skin. Lemon, cucumber, and potato slices are the materials you need. Get them all together.

Rub the lemon slice on the area to eliminate dead skin cells. Avoid dryness by mixing lemon juice with turmeric or plain yogurt. Leave the paste on the site for a few minutes before rinsing.

Grate cucumber slices and apply the juice to the area. Better still would be a paste of the cucumber juice with lemon juice and turmeric. Apply the paste and wait for 30 minutes and then rinse.

Potato is another natural bleaching agent. Grate a potato slice and apply the juice to the skin. Wait for drying and then rinse.

Second Method – Whitening Mixture

Mix chickpea flour with lemon, turmeric, and yogurt to paste. Apply the paste to the dark area for a minimum of 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Repeat the procedure every day for 15 days and then less frequently for the best whitening results.

Third Method – Exfoliating the Skin

You can try one of the following exfoliating methods to reduce the darkness:

Getting rid of dead skin cells would lighten the skin. Buy a pumice stone, wet it well, and rub it gently on the dark skin.

Prepare a thick paste from baking soda and rosewater. Apply to the underarm area, wait for a few minutes and then wash with warm water. Repeat the process daily until the results are visible.

Grind orange peel into a powder after drying it well in the sun. Rub the paste on the underarms for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water and dry it.

Make a mixture of brown sugar and extra virgin olive oil. The proportion should be 40 ml of olive oil with a small cup of brown sugar. The skin should be wet, perhaps after a bath. Apply the mixture to the damp skin for 2 minutes. Repeat twice a week.

Mix a thick paste with baking soda and water. Scrub the skin well and then rinse, followed by drying. After drying, dust with baking powder.

Fourth Method – Natural Liquid Remedies

Lighter skin that is also soft and fresh can come from specific natural remedies.

Coconut oil contains Vitamin E that helps to lighten the skin, and deodorizes too. It will require frequent use, perhaps daily or on alternate days. Rub the oil gently into the skin for 10 minutes before bathing. Rinsing with warm water and a mild soap helps.

Milk lightens skin with vitamins and fatty acids. Prepare a mixture of milk, yogurt, and flour. The proportions should be 1 tsp yogurt, 2 tbsp milk, and 1 tbsp flour. Apply the paste on the skin. Wait for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water before drying up.

A paste of vinegar and rice flour may be applied to the underarms. Wait for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Which Medical Creams and Ointments to Use?

Along with anti-bacterial soaps, one of the following may be prescribed:

  • Hydroquinone cream to lighten the skin

  • Retinoid cream for thinning and lightening the skin

  • Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) chemical peel

  • Calcipotriene (Dovonex), vitamin D that reduce pigments

Retinoid pills are an option for a severe dark skin condition non-responsive to more superficial treatments. The same treatment is given for many skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. Since retinoid drugs can cause several side effects, take them cautiously and discuss the pros and cons. Pregnant women should avoid them.

Start with Prevention Strategies

Unless the dark underarms problem is already at an advanced stage, you can always make some lifestyle changes to help prevent it. An active and healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise. Ample hydration can have a good effect on the skin.

Since dark underarms could result from certain medications, talk it over with the doctor and seek a change. They will require gels or ointments according to prescriptions.

By itself, dark underarms are no severe condition. Some common-sense actions like healthy and hygienic habits should be followed regularly. Natural treatments would effectively lighten the skin and make it soft and fresh.

Conclusion

Some people lack faith in natural remedies, but they shouldn’t. In a DIY world, it is evident that synthetic and chemical methods can damage the skin in the long term. Think again before meeting a dermatologist about dark underarms, try to stop using deodorant and antiperspirant. Exfoliate the skin and avoid tight clothes.

Updated on: 06-Jan-2023

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