The appearance of dark spots in the armpits is a fairly common problem for many women, but it also occurs in men.
Black spots cause discomfort and do not allow you to freely wear clothes with short sleeves or without them.
Here you need to think not only about how to get rid of the black color, but also find out why there is dark skin under your arms.
Darkening indicates that some kind of disturbance has occurred in the body or that care has been chosen incorrectly.
Below you will learn how to get rid of black underarms.
Why do the armpits and groin darken?
Among the primary sources that cause extreme pigmentation in the armpits and bikini area are internal and external.
The first category includes age-related and hormonal disorders that occur in the body, the second includes incorrectly selected cosmetics or their improper use (these are the most common reasons).
In addition, a number of other provoking factors can be identified:
- increased sweating;
- excess weight, which causes diaper rash in the armpits;
- predisposition to allergies to individual components in deodorants;
- wearing tight clothing made of synthetic materials, which creates friction and contributes to skin irritation;
- systematic shaving or waxing.
It is important to find the cause of darkening of the skin in the armpits, then after eliminating it, the problem will self-limit.
Family doctor Jenny Weiler
Causes of dark spots under the arms
The formation of dark spots under the arms can be caused by various factors. The most common reasons are changes in hormonal levels (usually during pregnancy and after childbirth), as well as age-related changes in the body.
But in addition to the main reasons, the appearance of dark spots under the arms is also associated with the following factors:
- regular skin irritation due to a combination of shaving and sweating;
- rubbing with clothes;
- skin reaction to chemicals contained in deodorants;
Deodorants can cause pigmentation under the arms - allergic reactions to synthetic fabrics;
- use of unsuitable creams or detergents.
Dark spots also appear under the arms due to a combination of several factors. The case is not uncommon, due to the sensitivity of the skin of the axillary part. Darkening of the skin may have shades of yellow, brown or gray.
How to prevent the problem (5 tips)
When faced with such a situation, women are usually concerned with only one question: How to whiten the armpit and bikini area?
Only this can be avoided if you follow certain advice from cosmetologists:
- Remove hair in delicate areas using a laser in a salon setting (if possible).
- At home, do not use low-quality razors, which can injure the epidermis, but resort to wax or sugar depilation (sugaring).
- In the summer, regularly apply sunscreen to your armpits.
- Resort to scrubbing the skin, which helps remove dead skin particles.
- Do not use alcohol-containing deodorants. And also give preference to clothes with loose sleeves and made from natural fabrics.
If darkening of the skin occurs due to health problems, then it will not be possible to cope with it quickly at home. Once the source is identified, appropriate treatment will be required.
Obstetrician-gynecologist Selena Lantry
We recommend watching a video about the most effective hair removal method:
Causes of darkening of the skin
Darkening occurs due to a number of factors, including:
- Depilation – removal of hair in the armpit area. This is a standard procedure dictated by hygiene requirements. Sweat is retained on the hairs, where pathogenic microflora multiply, causing an unpleasant odor. Armpit hairs also look unsightly. Any type of depilation, be it shaving, sugaring, waxing, constantly exposes the skin to mechanical stress. Microtraumas occur, causing the color to change.
- Health problems. Darkening of the skin often indicates a hormonal imbalance due to diseases of the endocrine system. Because of this, pigmentation appears in different areas of the body. Often, due to diseases of the autonomic nervous system, increased sweating occurs, as a result of which the skin also darkens. Darkening appears in obesity, when the skin of the armpits is severely chafed.
- Cosmetic preparations. Some deodorants and sprays that eliminate unpleasant odors contain perfumes that spoil the color of the skin.
- Tight clothes. Many girls prefer tight-fitting clothes that highlight their figure. But keep in mind that tight-fitting fabrics create additional friction. With active movement, in a warm room, or stressful situations, such clothing also causes increased sweating, and friction becomes stronger. As a result, the skin is injured and changes color. The material is also important. Often the armpits darken due to wearing synthetics, which do not allow air to pass through well. The person begins to sweat a lot, the fabric gets wet, friction with the skin is created, and it changes color.
Is it possible to avoid a cosmetic defect? Yes. There are a number of preventative measures that should be followed.
Recommendations for lightening armpits in different ways
You can whiten your armpits yourself at home using available products.
Some help get rid of the defect quickly, others will have to be used more than once. Since there are many folk methods, everyone makes their own choice depending on the circumstances.
In addition to unconventional methods, it is worth paying attention to cosmetic products for the care of sensitive skin of the armpits and groin, which should be selected correctly.
Preference is given to special deodorants with a whitening effect, which contain plant components and vitamins, as well as zinc (prevents sweating during the day). It would be good if they were of a creamy consistency or ball-shaped.
After consultation with a dermatologist, you can use drugs that contain hydroquinone, kojic or phytic acid.
Dermatologist Barry Ginsburg
Before using lightening products, it is recommended to test for an allergic reaction to prevent negative consequences.
To do this, apply a small amount of the composition to the elbow or wrist and wait at least 15 minutes. If there is no negative reaction in the form of redness or itching, then everything is fine.
Risk factors
Everyone is at risk of developing ammonium nitrate in the armpits or other parts of the body. However, some people are more likely than others to suffer from this skin condition.
Risk factors for dark underarms include:
- have a close relative with the disease.
- with darker skin
- obesity
- diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance
- Shaving or pinching your armpits too often.
- with a hormonal disorder.
- taking certain medications
- cancer of the stomach, liver or colon.
Suitable cosmetic products
Nowadays there is a wide range of cosmetics on sale, including those for lightening armpits. They come in the form of creams, crystalline deodorants, powders or soaps.
Creams (TOP-3)
The most popular whitening creams, which also nourish, moisturize the skin and prevent sweating:
Name | Photo |
A'PIEU Deo Armpit Brightener | |
Easy Spa | |
Finale Whitening Cream |
These creams are used as follows:
- Cleanses the armpit area from sweat and other contaminants.
- Squeeze a little cream onto your fingers and rub it in for a minute.
This is done morning and evening for a month.
During pregnancy, you should not use lightening creams containing hydroquinone. This substance has a negative effect on the epidermis and can cause cancer.
Dermatological surgeon Garrett Cramtree
Tamarind powder
Tamarind is a fruit from a tropical plant belonging to the legume family. It contains many vitamins and other useful substances that will help cope with the problem in question.
So, powder from these miraculous fruits is used to whiten the armpits and groin area.
Instructions for use:
- Take a shower and remove excess moisture from the armpits by blotting with a terry towel.
- Mix 60 g of tamarind powder with water until a creamy consistency is obtained.
- Distribute the resulting product evenly in problem areas and then massage for 2 minutes.
- After this, wash it off with warm water.
The procedure can be performed daily.
Crystal deodorants
Deo crystals are especially in demand among allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin due to the absence of preservatives, harmful flavors and other chemicals in their composition. They do not leave stains on clothes.
Use them this way:
- Be sure to take a cleansing shower;
- moisten the deodorant with water so that the crystal is slightly soaked (only then, after application, does it leave a protective film on the dermis);
- rub the crystal over the skin under the armpits.
Tamarind soap
This soap is made in Thailand, but you can buy it in any cosmetic department.
It contains tamarind extract, which achieves a whitening effect.
Use the same soap as regular toilet soap. It is suitable for caring not only for delicate areas, but also for the face and body.
To lighten the armpits, they are soaped while taking water treatments, and after 2 weeks of systematic use, you can rejoice at the result.
Prevention
The best method of dealing with dark spots on the skin is to prevent their formation. To do this, just follow a few simple rules that will help maintain the natural and aesthetic appearance of the skin:
- Perform hygiene procedures daily ˗ this is necessary to cleanse the epidermis of fat and dirt that clogs the pores,
- Choose sugaring or laser removal as a method of getting rid of hair - not only are these methods less traumatic, they allow you to eliminate armpit hair for a long time,
- Wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics,
- Improve your diet: exclude fried foods, fatty foods, smoked foods and pickles,
- Use special pads designed for the armpit area,
- Use only safe deodorants, such as natural alum products.
By strictly following these recommendations, you don’t have to worry about your armpits taking on an unhealthy hue. However, if this has already happened, it is worth starting a course of home cosmetic procedures as early as possible, which you now probably know everything about.
How to whiten armpits with folk remedies (11 recipes)
In the fight against darkening of the skin in the armpits and intimate area, time-tested recipes with products that can always be found on the farm show good results.
Here are some options on how to whiten your armpits at home:
- Mix hydrogen peroxide and water in equal proportions and, moisten a cotton pad in the resulting liquid, wipe the pigmented areas. After 30 minutes, wash off the composition with clean water. The procedure is done 3-4 times a week.
- Apply lemon or cucumber juice to your armpits every day for a week. Or add turmeric powder or natural honey to any juice and apply the paste for 15 minutes. Then wash.
- Make a mask from kefir and oatmeal. Apply it to problem areas and leave for a quarter of an hour, then remove. It is enough to do it 3 times a week.
- Prepare a scrub from baking soda. To do this, combine it in the amount of 1 tbsp. l. with 40 ml of water. The paste is applied to the armpit area in a circular motion and continued to be massaged for a couple of minutes. Then wash off with warm water.
- A product based on rose water (2 tsp) and sandalwood oil (3 tsp). Apply the ointment for 20-25 minutes and wash off.
- Dilute sandalwood powder in clean water (2:1). Apply it to the armpits and other darkened areas, wait 20 minutes and rinse with cool water. It will be enough to do this twice a week to achieve the desired result.
- Combine 2-3 tbsp. spoons of rice flour and vinegar until a homogeneous composition is obtained. Apply the composition to cleansed skin and leave for 15 minutes, then rinse off. The result can be seen in 1 time.
- Take pharmacy aspirin in the amount of 2 tablets, which are ground and dissolved in 100 ml of water. The solution is applied to the armpits and left for an hour.
- Prepare a mixture of toothpaste (1 teaspoon) and baking soda (2 g). Cut the lemon into 2 parts and wipe the darkened parts of the body with each half. After this, apply the paste and wash off after a quarter of an hour. Such sessions are carried out 2 times every 5-7 days.
- Mix crushed activated carbon (2 tablets) with honey (5 g). Apply and after 5 minutes remove with wet wipes.
- Buy white clay at any pharmacy. For intended use, the powder is first diluted with warm water until creamy. The resulting mass is distributed in an even layer over the armpits and wait until it dries. Only after this is it washed off. Daily clay treatments will help get rid of hyperpigmentation.
After any of the proposed procedures, the skin should be thoroughly dried and lubricated with a moisturizer.
Pharmacy drugs
Pharmacy drugs deserve special attention. It is not recommended to use them uncontrollably, without a doctor’s prescription. Many ointments cause side effects or are simply not suitable for use if you have specific contraindications. Therefore, consult a dermatologist before applying the products described below. The list of effective lightening agents includes the following:
- Sinaflan is a hormonal ointment. Treats skin diseases, whitens. Use strictly according to instructions.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Apply to the armpits once every three days exclusively in diluted form. Mix with water in proportions of 1 to 1. Soak a cotton pad in the solution, lather it, and wipe the darkened area for 30 minutes. After rinsing off the peroxide, apply a moisturizer.
- Zinc and salicylic-zinc ointments. They lighten effectively, but are not suitable for all skin types. Read the instructions before use.
- Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Crush the tablet, mix with water until the consistency of a thick paste, make a mask for 15 minutes. Then rinse off.
What do cosmetics manufacturers offer? There is a huge selection of whitening creams. Some of them are more effective, others less. For the convenience of users, we have compiled a rating of the best lightening products.
How to remove yellow stains in the armpits on white clothes
Often, people suffering from increased sweating due to certain physiological problems are faced with the problem of yellow spots on white things.
How to whiten your armpits at home:
- Soak a white blouse or T-shirt in water with regular bleach or stain remover. You can add one of these products to the powder during automatic washing.
- For stubborn stains, a combination of gasoline and ammonia will help. First, apply a little gasoline to the dirt and rub it with a stiff brush, then treat it with ammonia. After this, the item is washed in the standard way.
- Generously moisten a cloth with hydrogen peroxide and use it to wipe off the stubborn stain. Next, wash the laundry in warm water and soap.
- Prepare a saline solution by dissolving a tablespoon of salt in 2-3 tbsp. l. water. The composition is applied to the yellowness and left for 1-2 hours. After this, the item is washed by hand or in a machine.
Diagnosis and treatment
It all starts with examination and taking samples of the epithelium from the inflamed areas for analysis. Clinical studies are carried out using various methods to accurately determine the pathogen, the degree of development of the disease, and select adequate treatment.
As for therapy, it includes:
- antifungal drugs for oral administration;
- immunity enhancing agents;
- antifungal ointments.
When a person consults a doctor at the initial stage of the disease, it is possible to limit himself to using only external remedies.
Today, the most effective antimycotic ointments and creams are:
- Clotrimazole is a drug with a wide spectrum of effects that allows you to fight various fungi.
- Pimafukort is a universal ointment that has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
- Lamisil has proven itself as a remedy against yeast-like microorganisms.
Reviews
To verify the effectiveness of the methods disclosed in the article on how to whiten your armpits, you can additionally look at the reviews available on the Internet.
ANGELIKA, 29 YEARS OLD:
“I have heard repeatedly about the effectiveness of lemon juice as a skin whitener.
One day I decided to apply it after epilating my armpits. Indeed, my skin has brightened significantly. I started doing this every time and now after hair removal my skin tone doesn’t stand out. Now I recommend this method to all my friends.”
OLGA, 28 YEARS OLD:
“I use A'PIEU Deo Armpit Brightener.
The first time I misunderstood the instructions and simply applied the cream and washed it off after it dried. But the effect was not particularly impressive. It turned out that after application it should be rubbed into the skin for several minutes. The result was more pleasing. The skin also becomes silkier after the cream.”
ANNA, 28 YEARS OLD:
“Since my youth, I have suffered from increased sweating, which is associated with gastrointestinal disorders.
I was advised to order a roll-on crystal deodorant with turmeric from an online store. One tube lasts me for several days. I apply it constantly and there is absolutely no sweat smell. He is my salvation!
How to get rid of dark armpits - advice from dermatologists
According to research by dermatologists, almost half of women are dissatisfied with the skin of their armpits. Advice from dermatologists will help you not only maintain your skin in perfect condition, but also get rid of dark spots in this area.
The main product for armpit skin hygiene is deodorant. His choice should be taken very carefully. It makes no difference whether you use a spray, roll-on deodorant or stick. The main thing is that the product does not contain parabens, which dry out the skin and cause darkening of the armpit area. The formula of deodorants should be hypoallergenic. It is also recommended that the product contains licorice root, which prevents darkening of the skin.
Dermatologists also recommend paying special attention to armpit hygiene. Ideal hygiene looks like this:
- To cleanse the skin of your armpits, use only detergents for sensitive skin.
- Lather and rinse skin thoroughly. Pat your skin dry with a towel. It is damp skin that causes the growth of bacteria, skin rashes and other problems.
- Use deodorant. It should be applied in a thin layer.
Carry out this procedure at least twice a day.
An important condition for healthy and beautiful armpit skin is proper hair removal. Regardless of the hair removal method you choose, there are general rules that will help maintain the beauty and health of the underarm area.
- Before removing unwanted hair, the skin must be perfectly clean and dry. To clean it, you should not use antibacterial bar soap, otherwise you will dry out the skin. It is better to give preference to liquid detergent.
- If you use a razor or tweezers to remove hair, disinfect them.
- All hair removal products and preparations must be of good quality.
- Hair can only be removed in the direction of growth. If you remove hair against the grain, germs can enter the pores, causing redness, inflammation, and clogged pores. This is what causes darkening of the skin.
- After removing hair, be sure to moisturize your skin. An excellent option is a deodorant with moisturizing ingredients.
Expert opinion
- Cosmetologist
- Surgeon
Anna Avaliani
practicing cosmetologist
The armpit area is an ideal environment where bacteria can easily multiply. They are the ones that cause the smell and darkening. I advise you not to forget to scrub this area as well, which will improve exfoliation and brighten the skin surface. This procedure needs to be done regularly!
Aisha Baron
plastic surgeon
If you have darkened skin in the armpit area, you should visit a dermatologist.
Perhaps there are health problems. The doctor will determine the cause and help with treatment. All the proposed methods for lightening the armpits are easy to implement and do not require any special financial costs, with the exception of the use of ready-made cosmetics.
If you follow the instructions, you can get rid of the problem in a couple of weeks. This is provided that the cause is not any disease. Then the pigmentation will appear again.