The underarm skin often becomes darker than the rest of the body. The potential causes are dead skin cell accumulation, deodorants with alcohol content, hyperpigmentation, shaving and friction. Studies have found that 7-74% of people experience some form of acanthosis nigricans (AN) which means darkening and thickening in folds of the body. This can keep you from wearing sleeveless clothes in public. In fact, it can ruin your self-confidence and make you feel a little embarrassed about your body.
Fret not.There are plenty of natural ways to lighten your underarms. Most of them are useful, inexpensive and time saving. You will also not require a dermatologist to reverse the condition. So, if you wish to flaunt your toned arms and shoulders in tube and tank tops confidently, look at a few lifestyle changes to adopt right away.
1. Good Wax Products
Removing armpit hair is mostly a necessity. However, make sure to pick the best hair remover cold strips. It is able to pull out hair as short as 1.5mm and give you a smooth underarm. In fact, the area also gets exfoliated which subsequently brightens the skin tone. It is likely to last up to 4 weeks. Use the best waxing products for underarms specially formulated with Vitamin E and almond oil. Further, avoid sunexposure or scented products at least 24 hours after the session.
2. Chemical Peels
Following a procedural-based approach is a good idea since most topical ingredients like hydroquinone and corticosteroids might irritate the skin. Chemical peeling uses beta hydroxy acids and alpha hydroxy acids. These can effectively exfoliate to help get back the natural tone. You can also consider micro-needling or laser therapy for significant improvement.
3. Kitchen Remedies
There are plenty of ingredients for a flawless underarm. For example, tomatoes, lemon, cucumber, orange peel, potatoes, baking soda and milk are excellent ways to reduce pigmentation. Apply daily once or twice to naturally reduce discoloration. In fact, many also help to exfoliate the dead cells which have collected over time. Learn how to remove hair first, apply these mixes for 10 minutes, wash off and use a light moisturizer.
4. Avoid Shaving
Blades scraping along the skin can cause dark patches. This is because your skin gets irritated and can get overstimulated. It can thicken and darken the underarm area and might lead to an ugly velvety appearance in extreme cases. Further, aggressive rubbing movements can also cause tiny cuts leading to hyperpigmentation. So, make sure to use the best hair remover cream designed for different skin types for optimal results.
5. Loose Fitted Clothes
Dark underarms are often a result of tight clothes. The ones made from synthetic materials acrylic, nylon, spandex and polyester tend to contain chemicals like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide. These might be harmful to the skin when worn for the longest time. These materials can cause excessive friction which accumulates sweat. This ultimately can end up causing darker armpits. Switch to light and loose cotton clothes, if possible.
Further, don’t forget to take daily baths even if you do not step out. Avoid deodorants as much as you can and keep good hygiene always.
