Dermatologists typically recommend a combination of lifestyle modifications and topical treatments to reduce dark underarms.
The first step is to reduce the amount of friction, heat, and moisture that are applied to the underarm area. This includes wearing clothing made from lightweight and breathable materials, minimizing the use of body sprays and deodorants, and avoiding tight-fitting clothing.
In terms of topical treatments, dermatologists recommend using a gentle exfoliating scrub to help remove dead skin. After the area has been exfoliated, products that contain alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, such as lactic or glycolic acid, can be used to help lighten the skin and reduce dark patches.
Other recommended ingredients include kojic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide.
However, dermatologists recommend avoiding products that contain hydroquinone, as it can have harsh side effects and potentially increase skin sensitivity to the sun. It is also important to apply sunscreen to protect the skin from sun damage.
Lastly, laser treatments that use an intense pulse of light to target the melanin that causes skin darkening can also be used to help lighten the skin and reduce dark patches. Laser treatments typically require several sessions, and the total number of sessions depends on the individual’s skin type.
Table of Contents
What medical condition causes dark underarms?
A common medical condition that causes dark underarms is acanthosis nigricans. This disorder is the result of the overproduction of insulin in the body, which causes darkened areas of skin most often in the armpits, around the neck, and areas of the groin.
The skin may also become thickened, and a velvety texture and appears as patches of darkened skin. Acanthosis nigricans can also be caused by certain medications and even certain cancer types. Treatment usually varies depending on the underlying cause, but can include avoiding triggers, medications, and topical ointments.
In some cases, laser treatments may be recommended to target areas of discoloration. Additionally, like all medical conditions, if symptoms persist, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider or a dermatologist.
Can underarm darkness be removed?
Yes, underarm darkness can be removed. Though darkening of the underarms is normal and harmless, many people dislike the appearance, so they seek treatments to reduce or remove the darkness. The most common treatments for underarm darkness include topical creams, laser treatments, and other light-based therapies.
Topical creams like hydroquinone and retinoids can help to lighten the appearance of the underarms. Hydroquinone lightens the skin by blocking the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour.
Retinoids, which are derived from Vitamin A, can encourage cell turnover, which can help to fade dark areas.
Laser treatments, such as fractional laser resurfacing, target the deeper layers of the skin and can help to reduce discoloration. Laser treatments are a more intense form of skin lightening, however they are typically more expensive than topical treatments, and they can lead to side effects like redness, swelling, and pigmentation changes.
In addition to laser and topical treatments, devices that use light to treat skin conditions, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) and pulsed dye lasers (PDL), can be used to target dark underarm skin.
Light-based treatments work by reducing the production of melanin and may be a good choice for people who do not wish to use more aggressive treatments.
Overall, underarm darkness can be successfully diminished by a variety of treatments. As always, it is best to consult a dermatologist for advice on the best treatment for your particular skin type.
How do you fix dark underarms?
Darkening of the skin in the armpit area is a common issue, but it can be fixed with a few lifestyle changes and treatments.
First, it’s important to practice good hygiene in the underarm area. Wash daily with warm water and a gentle soap, and then rinse thoroughly and dry the area completely. Wear loose-fitting breathable clothing and don’t apply too much deodorant.
Additionally, exfoliating the underarm area with a mild scrub can help reduce the appearance of dark skin. Try using a gentle exfoliating scrub on the affected area twice a week.
To help lighten the dark spots, you could apply natural remedies like yogurt, lemon juice, tomato juice, or potato juice to the area. Make a paste out of the juice or yogurt and leave it on for 20-30 minutes before washing it off.
Avoid shaving and waxing for a few weeks and let the skin breathe. You could also try medicated creams or serums, or even laser treatments or microneedling to reduce the darkness in the underarms.
How do dermatologists lighten dark armpits?
Dermatologists may recommend a variety of treatments depending on the cause of the dark armpits. Options may include topical creams and lotions, lasers, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
Topical creams, lotions, and serums can lighten dark armpits and help to even out skin tone. Over-the-counter lightening creams contain hydroquinone, which blocks melanin and can lighten the skin. Prescription topical creams, such as Retin-A and Glycolic acid, can help to exfoliate skin while lightening tone.
Lasers, such as Intense Pulsed Light can target darker areas and help to target the excess melanin. Chemical peels are acidic solutions that peel away upper skin layers and help to brighten skin tones.
Lastly, microdermabrasion can help to exfoliate skin, resulting in an overall brighter skin tone.
Some lifestyle changes that may also help to lighten dark armpits include regular exfoliation, staying away from harsh body washes and soaps, protecting the skin with sunscreen, and avoiding any tight restrictive clothing.
What can I do for extremely dark armpits?
For extremely dark armpits, there are several treatments you can try. One is an exfoliant, which can help slough away the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin that contribute to discoloration, and even out your skin tone.
You can also try a lightening cream specifically designed to reduce discoloration in the underarms. Alternatively, you can try natural treatments such as applying lemon juice, cucumber, turmeric, or yogurt to your armpits.
Finally, laser treatments are available that can reduce underarm discoloration. If you are interested in any of these treatments, you should speak with a dermatologist to discuss your options and decide which would be the most appropriate for you.
Which cream is for underarm darkness?
The best cream for underarm darkness is one that contains ingredients specifically designed to lighten the delicate skin in that area. Look for creams that have natural lightening ingredients such as licorice extract, vitamin C, glycolic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, and mulberry extract.
Also pay attention to the skin type when choosing a product. Some creams are specifically formulated for sensitive skin and other types. In addition, SPF is also important when choosing a product as it allows further protection against sun-induced darkening of the skin.
Look for a cream with an SPF of at least 15.
How do you get rid of dark armpits fast?
One of the quickest and most popular solutions is to use topical bleaching creams, which are available over the counter in most drug stores and supermarkets. These are applied directly to the dark areas of your underarms and can typically lighten the tone of your skin within a few weeks.
Other treatments that can help include using natural remedies like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or turmeric paste. These can help remove dead skin cells and reduce darkness and discoloration. Additionally, regular exfoliation and moisturizing of your underarms can help to improve their overall appearance.
Finally, to keep them from becoming too dark in the future, avoid tight-fitting clothing, wear loose-fitting fabrics that help reduce sweating, and avoid deodorants and antiperspirants that contain harsh chemicals – natural deodorants are a great option.
How can I lighten my armpits in 3 days?
Lightening your armpits in 3 days requires you to use natural remedies and make some lifestyle changes.
1. Exfoliate: Exfoliating your underarms with a gentle body scrub can help reduce darkness by removing the top layer of dead skin cells. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub made of ingredients like coffee grounds and yogurt, or use a natural loofah to scrub your armpits.
2. Lemon juice: Lemon juice has natural bleaching and exfoliating properties that can help lighten your armpits. Apply some freshly squeezed lemon juice onto your armpits and leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
Rinse it off and follow up with a moisturizer. Repeat this everyday for 3 days.
3. Turmeric: Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin which helps to reduce inflammation and dark spots. Make a paste out of turmeric and water, apply it to your armpits, and leave it on for 30 minutes.
Rinse it off with warm water and continue with this routine for the next 3 days.
4. Make some lifestyle changes: In addition to natural remedies, you can also make a few changes to your lifestyle to help lighten your armpits in 3 days. Wear loose fitting clothes, avoid tight elastic bands around your wrists and ankles, and take regular showers with a gentle cleanser.
By following the above mentioned remedies and lifestyle changes, you should be able to lighten your armpits in 3 days.
What causes dark armpits?
Dark armpits can be caused by several different things. Most often, the cause is excessive pigment production resulting from friction and/or irritation. If friction and/or irritation isn’t the cause, other possible causes of darkened armpits include hyper-pigmentation in darker skin tones, hormone imbalances, certain medical conditions such as acanthosis nigricans, and even certain medications such as antibiotics and oral contraceptives.
Genetics may also be a factor, as well as lifestyle choices such as the use of deodorant, poor hygiene, excessive sweating, and tight clothing.
In most cases, however, dark armpits can be treated and prevented. The first line of defense is to keep the area clean by bathing or showering daily, using a mild cleanser, and towel drying. Avoid using lotions, alcohol-containing toners, deodorants, and antiperspirants in the area, as they can cause further irritation.
Additionally, exfoliation can help minimize the appearance of dark armpits, as it helps remove dead skin cells and encourages skin cell regeneration. Finally, it is important to wear loose fitting clothing and to avoid over-shaving, as both of these can increase friction and irritation to the area.
Why are my armpits so dark?
There are a couple of potential culprits when it comes to why your armpits may be darker than the surrounding skin.
First, genetics can play a role, meaning those troublesome dark underarms could be inherited from a family member. This can be especially true if you also have dark skin.
Another cause could be friction and an accumulation of dead skin. This is especially common in people who shave and/or use antiperspirants. The friction from frequently shaving and/or applying antiperspirant can create a build-up of dead skin, causing the area to appear darker than the rest of your skin.
Hormonal changes can also be responsible for those dark underarms. People of all ages who experience hormone fluctuations during puberty, menopause and even during pregnancy can see their underarms darken.
If you are concerned about your skin, seeing a qualified health care professional for advice and diagnosis is always the best idea.
Can toothpaste remove dark underarms?
Yes, toothpaste can be used to lighten dark underarms. The abrasive ingredients in toothpaste can act as a scrub and help remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. The whitening agents in toothpaste may also help to lighten the skin.
Several home remedies and DIY mixtures using toothpaste have been suggested to help lighten dark underarms, but it is always best to test a small area of skin first to make sure that it doesn’t cause a reaction.
It is best to limit the use of toothpaste for dark underarms to once or twice per week. Furthermore, it is important to use a mild toothpaste, as the stronger, more abrasive varieties can be harsh on the skin.
Finally, it is important to follow up the toothpaste with a moisturizer to protect and hydrate the skin after exfoliation.
