Clear and smooth underarms definitely helps boost confidence. Are you someone who likes to wear sleeveless clothes but can’t? There are certain things you need to change in order to get rid of dark underarms. They include both lifestyle changes and following a proper underarm skin care routine.

Towards the end of this article, I have mentioned store bought creams and DIY masks that will help you get rid of dark underarms. Hope it helps. 🙂

What Are The Causes Of Dark Underarms?

The common reasons are,

• Use of Deodorants and antiperspirant trigger inflammatory response
• Shaving causes irritation
• Dead skin cell buildup
• Tight clothes causes friction
• Hyper pigmentation
• Birth control pills

Underarm darkness could be a symptom of an underlying health issue like,

• Hormone problems
• Genetics
• Insulin resistance
• Bacterial infection
• As a symptom of diabetes and obesity
• Adrenal gland related
• Skin disease like melasma

How To Prevent Underarm Darkness?

Preventing underarm darkness is much better and easier. However treating the underlying health problems will automatically get rid of the symptoms. Most of these problems can be avoided with a proper lifestyle.

Try Waxing or Laser hair removal instead of shaving to prevent dark underarms. You can use Sweat Pads instead of using deodorant all the time.

This would help fade the darkness if it was caused either by shaving or deodorants. 🙂

Sweat Pads – Buy Now

Finally, use good products for your underarms to prevent chemical irritation.

Exfoliate Dead Skin cells

Exfoliating is important for any part of the body. Dead skin cells make your skin dull and lifeless. You can use homemade scrubs to exfoliate your underarms. Some of the best scrubs are,

• Sugar and olive oil
• Sugar and honey
• Orange peel powder and rose water
• Baking soda
• Pumice stone

Exfoliating helps cleanse your skin thoroughly. So learn to use scrubs yo prevent dark underarms.

Most importantly, Over exfoliating can cause abrasions and scarring hence make sure to exfoliate 2-3 times a week at most.

Moisturise Your Underarms

Moisturizing your underarms is essential to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. You can use your favorite body lotion or body butter to prevent dry underarms. Always moisturise after shaving to soothe and prevent any skin irritation.

• You can use aloe Vera gel, coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter for this purpose.

Maintain A Healthy Weight.

Obesity causes serious health problems hence losing weight not only ensures a long healthy life, it also eliminates the symptoms along with it. Proper diet and a 30 minute exercise will help you shed those extra pounds.

Keep Diabetes Under Control

People who have diabetes may develop dark skin around their neck and underarms. With proper medication and food control, the blood sugar levels can be controlled. Try to include exercise while maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent insulin resistance.

Use A Shaving Foam

Shaving may cause abrasions on your skin. Over time this irritation may lead to underarm darkness. Using a shaving foam helps the razor blade glide smoothly and hence prevents any irritation. It also hydrates and protects your skin during shaving.

Using a proper sharp blade along with the shaving foam gives you clean underarms while preventing ingrown hairs. Lather the foam and leave it on for 1-2 minutes before you start shaving.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

The skin under the arms are thin and delicate. Clothes that are too tight may cause friction. When the skin is irritated repeatedly, it leads to bruises and abrasions. The skin starts to become thicker an darker. Hence try wearing comfortable and breathable clothes to prevent skin irritation.

Limit Bleaching Your Underarms

Bleaching may lighten the pigmentation but keep in mind not to go overboard. Too much bleaching may cause skin infections that affect the hair follicles and even the sweat glands.

What Are The Treatments For Dark Underarms?

A dermatologist may choose any of the below course of treatment.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels to exfoliate the skin and increase cell turn over rate. Once the outer most layer of skin peels off, the underlying younger skin is revealed. This layer is usually brighter and smoother. You may need multiple sessions to get rid of dark underarms completely.

The common peels used are alpha and beta hydroxy acid peels and TCA peels.

Topical Creams

Topical creams may take longer to show results when compared to other treatments. But it is affordable and do not require you to spend time at the clinic. Even if they work slow, these potent ingredients definitely helps to get rid of dark underarms.

There are topical creams that helps lighten the skin tone. For example, creams that has hydroquinone. Most importantly, hydroquinone and corticosteroid creams must not be used on a long term basis.

Consult your dermatologist to decide how long you may need to use these creams. Apart from these two, all the other products can be bought from your near by pharmacy or online and can be used without side effects.

• Detox & Color Correction Mask for Underarms – Buy Now
• Underarm Whitening & Sweat Reduction Cream with Alpha arbutin, Kojic acid & Liquorice extracts – Buy Now
• Underarm Whitening cream with odour control for men – Buy Now

The  ingredients to look for in a cream or lotion for dark underarms are Azelaic acid, Retinol and Kojic acid.

• Kojic acid skin brightener – Buy Now
• Azelaic acid Serum – Buy Now
• Kojic acid and Glycolic acid brightening cream – Buy Now
• Retinol Cream – Buy Now

Retinol creams are known as the miracle ingredient in anti aging skin care. In this case it helps reveal a brighter skin with less pigmentation. While Retinoid creams increase cell turn over rate causing invisible skin peeling. It may take time before you can see results. So be patient.

Read More, Retinol- When And How To Use It And when Not To

Creams that has Vitamin D also help in reducing underarm darkness.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion procedure helps remove the outer layer of the skin which is thick and pigmented. This procedure is usually used to get rid of scars, stretch marks and pigmentation.

Taking care of your skin after the procedure is important for longer lasting results. You can also opt for dermabrasion treatment which certainly provides longer lasting results.

Microdermabrasion is cost effective compared to other forms of treatments too.

Laser Therapy

A treatment that uses a concentrated light to remove the outer layer of the skin. This pulsating light beam is used to reduce lines, wrinkles and even acne scars. They rejuvenate the skin making it look smoother, brighter and younger.

There are various types of laser therapy available. Have a talk with your dermatologist to decide which one is suitable for you.

How To Get Rid Of Dark Underarms At Home?

Choose one of the below according to your skin type.
You may have to use the packs consistently for up to 3-6 months to get rid of dark underarms completely.
Moisturise after applying the packs to prevent, soothe and hydrate irritated skin.

Chickpea Pack

Mix chickpea, lemon juice, turmeric, honey with water/Milk/curd and apply. Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes and wash off. Use every other day.

Honey is optional.

Baking Soda and lemon

Lemon when applied by itself may burn and irritate the delicate skin hence try applying a mixture of baking soda and lemon. Keep it for 15 minutes and rinse it off.

Potato Juice

Grate or blend a potato and apply the juice on the dark areas. Wait for 20 minutes and rinse. This pack can be used daily.

Cucumber Pack

Grate or blend cucumber. Mix it with turmeric, curd and a couple of drops of lemon juice. Apply the paste and wait for 30 minutes. Wash the pack off. Use every other day.