Dark underarms are embarrassing. Imagine wearing sleeveless wears, swimsuits or participating in sports in public with dark underarms. Just like blemishes, skin discolouration and other skin conditions, dark underarms cause discomfort and lack of self-confidence.
So what causes dark underarms? It maybe as result of any of these:
- Deodorants and anti-perspirants (chemical irritants)
- Shaving (irritation and abrasion)
- Dead skin cell accumulation (lack of exfoliation)
- Friction (tight clothes)
- Smoker’s melanosis (hyperpigmentation caused by smoking)
- Hyperpigmentation (increased melanin)
- Acanthosis nigricans (often a sign of diabetes, obesity, or abnormal hormone levels)
- Erythrasma (bacterial infection)
- Melasma (dark patches on skin)
- Addison’s disease (damaged adrenal gland)
To lighten your underarms, start by changing your deodorant or antiperspirant. Also stop shaving and exfoliate. Then wear loose fitted clothes and stop smoking.
There are natural ways to lighten your underarm and gain back your confidence. Here are 5 ways to do so:
Potato
Grate a potato, squeeze the juice from the grated potato, and apply the juice to your underarms. After 10 minutes, rinse your armpits with cool water.
Cucumber
Cut thick slices of cucumber and rub the slices on the dark areas of your underarms. After 10 minutes, rinse your underarms with cool water.
Lemon
Cut thick slices of lemon and rub the slices on your underarms. After 10 minutes, rinse your armpits with cool water, dry them, and apply moisturizer.
Orange peel
Mix 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 tablespoon of rose water with enough powdered orange peel to make a thick paste. Gently scrub your armpits with the paste and then leave it on for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat two to three times per week.
Turmeric
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with enough turmeric to make a paste. Apply the paste evenly to your armpits. After 30 minutes, wash the paste off.