Dark underarms are common, but what makes them dark? (2024)

FAQs

Dark underarms are common, but what makes them dark? ›

For most people, dark underarms are caused by something called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is a darkening of the skin due to irritation or damage.

Turmeric: Combine yoghurt, turmeric powder, and a few drops of lemon juice to create a paste. Before rinsing it off, apply it to your underarms and let it sit there for 10 to 15 minutes. Anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening qualities of turmeric. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera offers calming and healing effects on the skin.

No, if it's natural, most guys will like it.

Several of the ingredients in deodorants, such as parabens, alcohol, and fragrances, can irritate the skin and cause inflammation, which leads to thickening and darkening over time. Aluminum is also an active ingredient in many antiperspirants, which clogs sweat ducts and causes dryness and pigmentation.

Baking Soda And Lemon

Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and lemon to make a paste. Massage it over your underarms for about a few minutes and then wash it off using lukewarm water. Baking soda is an excellent exfoliator while lemon is a natural bleaching agent. Both work great in lightening your underarms.

Dermabrasion, which resurfaces the skin, and laser therapies are also used to treat dark skin under the arms.

You're not alone, millions of people suffer from underarm hyperpigmentation, and for a number of different reasons. Dark underarms can happen due to a variety of things, from skin conditions like hyperpigmentation or ingrown hairs, excessive sun exposure, shaving with a razor, or even poor hygiene or diet.

Pay attention to the ingredients list when shopping for a deodorant. Stay away from products that have clogging elements like aluminum and irritants like alcohol. If you have sensitive skin, go for a fragrance-free, moisturizing deodorant instead.

Use a gentle deodorant like Dove to keep you protected from odour and sweat and avoid wearing tight clothing that can cause friction and eventually darken your underarms. For beautiful, even-toned underarms, Dove Ultimate Repair Dark Marks Corrector is the answer.

Natural deodorants containing baking soda

But with a pH of about 9, it is highly alkaline which does not always agree with your body's skin pH of around 4-5.5. By applying a deodorant with baking soda in it, your skin may react to the change in pH by getting irritated and therefore becoming darker.

Why won't my armpits lighten? ›

Causes of dark underarms

There are many reasons why your underarms may darken, including: chemical irritants in deodorants and antiperspirants. irritation and abrasion caused by shaving. the accumulation of dead skin cells due to infrequent exfoliation.

We want you to know that using lemon juice to lighten armpits is a myth. It has never been proven to work, and it can actually be a dangerous practice! Lemon has been shown to lead to the exact issue you are trying to avoid – more hyperpigmentation.

Your sweat contains water, ammonia, urea, salts, and sugar. Those elements mix with one or more ingredients in your antiperspirant, in particular aluminum. The mix contains proteins that then bond to clothing, causing a build up that yellows or darkens over time.

Most armpit detoxes use a homemade mask of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Some also include water to dilute the vinegar. Others use equal parts bentonite clay and coconut oil for a more soothing, hydrating mix that still has some antibacterial properties, thanks to the coconut oil.

Use a gentle deodorant like Dove to keep you protected from odour and sweat and avoid wearing tight clothing that can cause friction and eventually darken your underarms. For beautiful, even-toned underarms, Dove Ultimate Repair Dark Marks Corrector is the answer.