Armpit whitening has become increasingly popular in recent years as people seek ways to improve the appearance of their underarms. Dark underarms can be caused by a variety of factors, including natural skin pigmentation, shaving or waxing, deodorants and antiperspirants, friction, and medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the causes of dark underarms and the various treatments available to whiten them.
Your skin color is determined by pigment cells called melanocytes. When these cells multiply more, they can turn the skin a darker color.
Armpit darkening is the term used to describe the discoloration or darkening of the skin in the underarm area. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including natural skin pigmentation, shaving or waxing, deodorants and antiperspirants, friction, and medical conditions. The darkening of the skin in this area can make people feel self-conscious, particularly when wearing sleeveless clothing, and has led to an increase in the popularity of armpit whitening treatments.
Often, a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans is to blame (AN). It makes the skin on the folds of the body get thicker and darker.
A 2014 summary of the condition says that anywhere from 7% to 74% of people have some kind of AN. A lot of things, like race, health, and family history, can make your underarms get darker.
With this underarm hyperpigmentation, most people feel insecure about it. Dark underarms usually aren’t a sign of anything serious, but some people may find them embarrassing — especially during tank top and swimsuit season. They feel ashamed having this discoloration even though to be honest this is a normal thing. With this many products in the market are now promoting armpit whitening using different kinds of ingredients.
Most of the time, your underarms are the same colour as the rest of your body. But they can get darker over time for a number of reasons, such as natural skin pigmentation, which can be more noticeable in some people. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is what makes most people’s underarms dark (PIH). Shaving or waxing can also cause irritation, inflammation, and ingrown hairs, all of which can make your underarms look darker. Some antiperspirants and deodorants have harsh chemicals in them that can change the colour of your skin over time. Darkening of the skin can also be caused by friction from tight clothing or too much sweat. Some health problems, like hormonal imbalances, diabetes, and being overweight, can also cause dark underarms.
There are many things that can cause dark underarms, such as:
When you have extra weight, your body is less likely to respond to insulin. This hormone helps keep your blood sugar at the right level. When you have a lot of insulin in your blood, more skin pigment cells are made.
More than half of adults who are 200 percent or more over their ideal body weight notice that their underarms and other folds of skin are getting darker.
Your underarm product that you use every day could be the cause of your hyperpigmentation without you even knowing it. Some deodorants and antiperspirants, like those with fragrances and alcohol, can irritate the skin. This is a big no-no for people with sensitive skin.
Aside from irritation and hyperpigmentation after an injury, dark underarms may also be caused by hormonal problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). People who are overweight or have diabetes are also more likely to get dark armpits.
Some medicines make your insulin levels go up, which can make your underarms look darker.
Among these are:
Shaving too hard or without a lubricant can cause small cuts that irritate the skin on your armpits, which may be the most common cause of dark armpits. In the same way, waxing irritates the armpits by pulling on the hairs too hard, which can lead to hyperpigmentation over time.
Your armpits, groyne, elbows, and knees rub and rub against each other a lot throughout the day, and wearing tight clothes makes the problem worse.
Many skin conditions like psoriasis and allergies to things like deodorant can make the skin in the armpits and groyne get darker, especially in people with darker skin.
If you treat the problem that caused the darkened skin (pigmentation), it will get better. Lichen planus, which is much less common but something we see and treat a lot at Chroma, can also make the skin darker in these places.
Dark underarms can be caused by health problems like hormonal imbalances, diabetes, or being overweight.
There are several home remedies to get rid of dark underarms. Many people choose to lighten their underarms in a natural way. Proponents of natural remedies recommend using a number of things that naturally bleach, such as:
There are several over-the-counter products that can be used to lighten your armpits. These products can help fade and lighten dark spots on the skin and get rid of dead skin cells, making the underarms look brighter and smoother.
There are many skin care products and body care products on the market that are made with powerful active ingredients that can clear, brighten, and even out the skin tone.
After figuring out what kind of brightening your underarms need, your dermatologist can suggest stronger treatments like chemical peels and exfoliators. Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, and tretinoin are all topical exfoliants that can help you achieve lighter underarms. However, the best way to treat it is to try to keep your weight in check with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Body scrubs can be helpful in underarm whitening by exfoliating the skin and removing dead skin cells. Accumulation of dead skin on the surface of the skin, it can cause the skin to appear dull and uneven in tone. By using a body scrub, you can help to remove these dead skin cells and reveal brighter, fine lines and smoother skin.
Some deodorants say they have ingredients that make your skin whiter. Some products have natural ingredients like licorice extract and witch hazel that help lighten and smooth the skin under your arms.
There are some supplements you can take that might help make your underarms lighter. Most of the time, the ingredients in these supplements help improve skin health and reduce hyperpigmentation. But it’s important to keep in mind that supplements shouldn’t be taken in place of good skin care and hygiene. Products like the effervescent tablets from Juju Glutathione and Juju Collagen with Vitamin C can help in reducing hyperpigmentation. Some studies have suggested that glutathione may also help to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve skin tone. While vitamin C has antioxidant properties, which can help to protect the skin from damage caused by the sun and other environmental stressors.
Skin lightening agents like hydroquinone can be used if the underlying skin condition has been treated (but this should be used under the guidance of a dermatologist). Niacinamide and azaelaic acid may also help the area look brighter and lighter. When nothing else works, chemical peels and even lasers that target pigmentation can help lighten the skin in the area.
Some treatments to lighten the skin may cause mild side effects that go away over time. Strong reactions are rare, unless you use something you were allergic to but didn’t know it.
When you put something on your skin, even something natural like food, it could irritate your skin.
To make sure the product doesn’t irritate your skin, try it out on a small area of skin first. If your skin doesn’t react badly to the product within 48 hours, keep putting it on your whole underarm.
Powerful acids, like those in skin care products, can make the skin red and irritated. They can also cause redness and sensitivity to the sun, among other things. Some acids could make your dark underarms even darker.
If your doctor gives you a cream or lotion, be sure to follow the directions. Do not leave the products on your skin for longer than recommended.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a reaction that can be caused by dermatological procedures and other types of skin damage or irritation (PIH).
Side effects of PIH include:
There are many things that can cause dark armpits, like chemicals in deodorants and antiperspirants, irritation and abrasion from shaving, a buildup of dead skin cells from not exfoliating often enough, and friction from wearing clothes that are too tight.
Most people with hyperpigmentation want to even out the colour of their skin, not make a lighter patch of skin in their armpits than the rest of their skin. Thankfully, bleaching creams for underarms don’t work that way.
Sad to say, dark underarms won’t just go away on their own. You can only fix the problem if you get to the root of it. So, if you sweat a lot and have black armpits, you need a good antiperspirant. If too much shaving or dryness is to blame, cut down on how often you shave and moisturise the area well.
Dr. Wedgeworth says that there are a number of creams that are sold illegally that contain strong steroids. “These can hurt the thin skin of the underarm, which can lead to thinness and maybe even stretch marks.” Organ damage has also been linked to some toxic lighting products.
Preventing Dark Underarms
Armpit whitening is a popular trend, and there are many ways to get dark underarms lighter. Home remedies, over-the-counter products, and medical treatments can all help reduce pigmentation and improve the health of your skin. Even though underarm discoloration is natural and really varies from person to person, don’t be afraid to try products if it makes you feel uncomfortable or makes you question your self-confidence. It is important to choose the best option for your individual needs and to follow prevention tips to maintain the results of armpit whitening.
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