Dark spots under the arms are not uncommon. They usually occur due to increased melanin production. This occurs for natural reasons or due to the development of diseases.
Skin pigment is produced in large quantities due to genetic predisposition or due to hormonal imbalances. The defect often appears in pregnant women and women during menopause. Unusual pigmentation is also associated with aging skin.
Deodorants, antiperspirants and cosmetics can also cause skin discoloration. Lack of hygiene is also sometimes the cause. Sweat, dirt and dead cells accumulate in the armpits. When they rub, they become denser. The skin becomes hard and yellow and light brown spots appear under the armpit.
If the appearance of pigmentation is not associated with diseases, it is not difficult to get rid of it. You need to maintain hygiene, use scrubs and peelings for exfoliation, and bleaching agents. You can prepare cosmetics for such purposes yourself using lemon, cucumber or soda. Ready-made medications are sold in pharmacies and stores. There are also many hardware procedures that are carried out in beauty salons.
Why are my armpits dark - what causes dark spots?
There are many reasons why dark spots appear in the armpits. The most common of these are hormonal changes in the body, as well as the aging process. However, there are other causes of dark armpits that you need to know to make the treatment as effective as possible.
- Shaving. As a result of frequent shaving of the armpits, the skin becomes rougher, irritation and ingrown hairs occur. Therefore, we recommend giving preference to other methods of removing unwanted hair in this area.
- Depilation. Depilatory creams, although they get rid of hair in this area, contain chemical components that cause darkening of the skin over time.
- Excessive sweating. Another common cause of dark underarms is excessive sweating and poor ventilation in the area. Therefore, you should avoid wearing very tight clothing in case of excessive sweating.
- Use of alcohol deodorants. Darkening of the armpits is often caused by the use of alcohol-based deodorants. Therefore, with regular use, the skin will gradually change shade.
- Dead cells. Each cell of the body dies and a new one is formed in its place. This also applies to skin cells. Dead cells form in the underarm area, giving the skin a darker color. To solve this problem, it is best to use scrubs or other products.
- Acanthosis nigricans. One of the symptoms of obesity or diabetes is acanthosis nigricans. This condition is associated with hyperpigmentation in the folds of the skin.
- Smoking. Quite often, spots in the armpits occur in smokers. This condition is called smoker's melanosis and is an excessive accumulation of melanin in tissues. Goes away when you quit smoking.
- Melasma. Uneven pigmentation most often occurs during pregnancy. It may also be a consequence of taking hormonal contraceptives or hormone therapy.
- Addison's disease. A disease that causes darkening of the skin that is not exposed to ultraviolet rays.
Prevention of occurrence
Aggressive factors influence the appearance of brown spots under the arms, but we should not forget about simple remedies. By observing hygiene standards, you will protect the delicate area from the bacterial environment.
Increased sweating is one of the causes of pigmentation. After hard work or training, don't forget to rinse off in the shower. Treat problem areas with gommage.
Sunbathing should be accompanied by the use of a high level of protection cream. Don't use the same antiperspirants with your girlfriend or sister. Additional skin irritation from shaving can aggravate the disease, and hair will grow back quickly.
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Choose a gentle method of hair removal, for example, the laser method. Certified high-quality cosmetics from reliable manufacturers will help you avoid the appearance of white, brown and dark spots.
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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.
Why are there brown spots under my arms?
Skin pigmentation in the armpit area is a fairly common phenomenon.
The appearance of brown spots under the armpits in men, as well as in women - what is it?
Dark spots under the arms are not only an aesthetic nuisance, but also a “signal” that certain physiological disorders are occurring in the body.
Let's determine why cinnamon spots appear under the arms, what is the reason for this, and whether it is possible to remove them yourself.
Skin pigmentation in the armpit area is a fairly common phenomenon.
Women
In addition to the above reasons, hyperhidrosis can provoke in the fair sex:
- severe stress or nervous tension suffered the day before;
- the period after menopause (during a rush of blood, sweating increases);
- long-term use of a certain group of medications;
- intoxication of the body due to poisoning;
- nervous disorders;
- renal pathologies;
- hormonal imbalance;
- alcohol abuse.
A doctor can determine the exact cause and select effective treatment after conducting a comprehensive examination. Self-medication leads to complications.
- cardiovascular pathologies;
- disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- infectious process in the body (during a cold, body temperature rises, which entails an increase in sweat production);
- oncology (in this case, increased sweating at night is recorded).
Parting words: what is important to remember
Before you begin removing deodorant stains, there are a few things to consider.
After the antiperspirant comes into contact with the fabric, white marks remain on clothing. Over time, the deodorant reacts with sweat, penetrating deeper into the fibers of the material, the stains turn yellow, and it becomes more difficult to get rid of them. Therefore, it is better not to miss the opportunity to remove dirt that has not yet become embedded in the fabric. Read more: how to remove yellow stains on armpits on white.
How to remove dark armpits at home - folk remedies
You can also use folk remedies to lighten the skin of your armpits. They are quite effective, affordable and at the same time completely safe for health.
The most effective and popular procedures at home:
- Lemon. A universal skin lightening product. Can also be used to whiten the skin of the armpits. Just rub half a lemon on your skin after a shower.
- Kefir. Kefir is also an excellent remedy for whitening armpits. It contains beneficial ingredients that reduce dark spots and heal the skin. It is enough to apply kefir to cleansed skin and rinse with warm water.
- Soda and chickpea flour. Using these components, you can prepare a natural scrub to remove dead skin cells. To prepare it, mix a little soda with chickpea flour and natural yogurt.
- Turmeric. To prepare a lightening paste, mix turmeric with lemon juice. Use daily after an evening shower until dark spots disappear.
- Sandalwood paste. One of the most effective remedies against dark spots. Regular use of sandalwood paste not only brightens the skin, but also eliminates the unpleasant odor of sweat and relieves irritation after removing unwanted hair.
- Rice vinegar and flour. To prepare the paste, mix rice flour with a small amount of rice vinegar and apply for 10 minutes. This product brightens the skin and makes it fresh and velvety.
- Cucumber juice. To prepare a brightening lotion, you need to grind the cucumber using a blender and give the juice. Use the juice with a small amount of turmeric to rub the armpit area daily.
- Honey. To soften and whiten your skin, apply a thin layer of honey and lemon juice to your underarms. Then take a shower and moisturize your skin with lotion.
- Potato. Potatoes are also a natural bleach. Therefore, you should prepare potato juice and apply it for 20-25 minutes on clean skin. For optimal results, use potato juice daily.
- Coconut oil. An optimal product for lightening the skin of the armpit, as well as reducing the odor of sweat. You should use coconut oil after taking a shower.
- Talc. If darkening of the skin occurs as a result of using alcohol deodorants, it is recommended to use talc. It will keep your skin dry and clean, but at the same time protect your armpits from darkening.
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.
Causes
The skin between the legs is quite sensitive; it is exposed to stress every day, which is provoked by:
- By rubbing;
- Uncomfortable clothes;
- Age-related changes in the body;
- Unsuitable cosmetics;
- Injuries during depilation.
For these reasons, areas of hyperpigmentation appear on the skin. In a certain area of the body, there is greater development of melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin.
Cumulative processes lead to darkening of the skin layers. The spots may stop their development or, on the contrary, continue to grow.
Their appearance may be due to:
- Disease of the kidneys, liver or thyroid gland. They help produce substances that activate the creation of melanin.
- Hormonal imbalances that disrupt pigment metabolism.
- The influence of ultraviolet irradiation. The skin layers are subject to photoaging and the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
After consultation, the specialist will select the appropriate treatment. And he will tell you how to get rid of stains, depending on the cause of their appearance.
Possible consequences and complications
No one is immune from the appearance of age spots. They can appear from birth, but they will be acquired. Pigmentation is not a skin disease and does not harm health.
Dark spots are a cosmetic defect and bring a person inconvenience and discomfort. The main danger of spots is the possible camouflage of malignant formations under them. Consultation with a dermatologist is recommended.
If you do not seek help in time, the tumor will develop and ultimately lead to death. Age spots may indicate the presence of other, serious diseases.
