Have you ever noticed dark underarms after you shave? This could be embarrassing to some and an inconvenience to others. People who have darker skin may experience this issue more than those with lighter skin. But no matter what your complexion, it can be a major turn-off. If you know the reasons why under arms darken, you can prevent the problem from occurring in the future. The skin under our arms is very sensitive, and we often forget this when we put hot wax or a razor to it. Due to its sensitivity (and a few other preventative reasons), there are many causes for our underarms to darken. We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes.
Causes of Dark Underarms
- Regular shaving
- Waxing
- Hair removal creams
- Harsh deodorants
- Dead skin cell build up
- Dark hair growth beneath the skin surface
- Hyper-pigmentation (caused by excess melanin)
- Tight clothes (creates friction)
- Bacterial infection
These are the most common causes, but other causes include smoker’s melanosis (hyper-pigmentation caused by smoking), acanthosis nigricans (a skin condition that causes discoloration in folds and creases on the body), melasma (common skin problem that creates dark patches on the skin) and Addison’s disease (your adrenal gland gets damaged).
Simple Ways to Prevent Dark Underarms
Change your deodorant
Deodorants with harsh chemicals can trigger melanin. Look for a natural brand at a store like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.
Exfoliate
We love exfoliation when done correctly. It can solve so many problems, including this one. You can get rid of dead skin cell build up by exfoliating your underarms. Don’t use the name brand exfoliates – we suggest doing the washcloth exfoliation while you’re showering.
Wax – Don’t Shave
Yes, we know waxing is a cause of dark underarms, but you have to get rid of that hair one way or another. Rather than shaving, we recommend waxing. An added bonus is that wax gets rid of dead skin cell build-up.
If your underarms are already dark, the good news is, you can treat them in a number of easy ways. There are lots of methods people use to solve this problem, but our favorite method is the baking soda scrub by The Indian Spot. According to the website:
Baking soda makes an excellent scrub for your underarms. It also prevents body odour so you can avoid using deodorants and anti-antiperspirants…It also exterminates bacteria and germs to provide odor free and whitened underarms.
Note: Do a patch test before use.
You will Need:
- Baking soda
- Coconut oil
Instructions
- Mix baking soda with coconut oil.
- Gently apply the paste and scrub in circular motions – this will get rid of dead skin cells and smooth rough skin
- Leave the scrub on for 5-10 minutes
- Rinse off. Pat dry.
You can do this everyday, or after you have waxed/used a razor.
