Between skincare and grooming, we tend not to prioritise our underarm skin all that much until signs of pigmentation creep in. Dark underarms are normal in both men and women, especially for those with medium and deeper skin tones. The skin on your armpits is delicate and, most times, also sensitive. Therefore, this area is easily prone to irritation, rashes and hyperpigmentation due to excess melanin production. There are many grooming steps like waxing and applying deodorant that could easily be culprits behind soreness and dark underarms if they’re not done properly. So, if you want to know how to brighten dark underarms, here are 9 tips that can help you achieve even-toned underarms.
1. Avoid Blunt Razors
Shaving is one of the easiest and quickest ways to remove underarm hair at home. But how you use a razor is crucial to ensure you’re not damaging the skin. A foremost rule in shaving is to avoid using blunt razors as they do more harm than good. When a razor isn’t sharp, you tend to apply more force which ends up breaking the skin. These cuts and nicks are not painful and itchy but they lead to excess melanin production as it’s skin’s natural response to heal and protect the wounded area. That’s why it’s always recommended to switch to fresh blades after every 5-10 uses depending on the growth. Because the armpit skin has multiple folds, pull the skin taut and shave in multiple strokes (upwards, downwards and sideways). This will result in smooth underarm skin. However, do not go over the same area more than once or twice to avoid cuts and irritation.
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2. Always Use Shaving Cream
Though this one’s a no-brainer, we’d still like to emphasise on the importance of a good shaving cream. It’s ok to use soap foam to shave but if you want a smoother shave, a shaving cream is ideal. Most of them have a creamy formula to soften the hair and skin so that the razor glides through. For best results, leave the cream or shaving foam for a couple of minutes for extra conditioning. If you have extra sensitive underarm skin, use a shaving cream that has soothing and nourishing ingredients that will soften the skin and tackle pigmentation.
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3. Exfoliate Regularly
You may have heard of facial exfoliation and body scrubs but extending the same step to your armpits is one of the ways you can get rid of dark underarms. Just like the rest of your body and face, dead skin accumulates there, too. This, along with sebum sweat and bacteria can clog the pores and hinder new skin cell turnover, resulting in hyperpigmentation. Following a regular exfoliating routine has multiple benefits such as unclogging the pores, removing dead skin cells, eliminating bacteria and accelerating new skin cell turnover. It is also important to know how to choose an exfoliator based on your skin type. Normal underarms would do well with gentle physical exfoliators that have tiny scrubbing particles. If your underarm skin is more on the sensitive side, make sure to use a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid or salicylic acid or a mixture of both. This will dissolve the dead skin cells without being abrasive. Furthermore, scrubbing the underarms once or twice a week is enough. Frequent scrubbing can leave the skin stripped and inflamed. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, it’s best when applied at night when the sweat glands are dormant which will help the solution penetrate the skin better.
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4. Use a Detoxifying Clay Mask
Clay masks are another great way to take care of pigmented underarms. Many clay masks have a bentonite, kaolin and activated charcoal base that removes dead skin cells, and absorbs impurities, excess oil and sweat to truly cleanse and detoxify the pores. The best part? You can use a regular face clay mask that will work just as effectively. Make sure to apply an appropriate amount which is not too thin or too thick of a layer. Allow it some time to dry before rinsing it off. Follow through with this step at least once or twice a week to see satisfactory results.
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5. Incorporate A Repairing Treatment
Active ingredients aren’t just for the face. Ingredients like retinol and tranexamic are brilliant ways to get rid of dark underarms. Topical tranexamic solutions like serums are widely known to address hyperpigmentation concerns like scarring, sun damage, melasma and excess melanin production. Retinol is a star ingredient that prevents premature ageing but it’s equally great for hyperpigmentation as it helps in rapid skin cell production, replacing matured skin cells with new ones. While these are great options, using just any one of them will suffice. Since this step might be new to you, it’s wise to start out with a low frequency like once a week. After all, these are very strong active ingredients. If you go overboard, your skin can get irritated. So, use only a few drops once a week. Also, do not use any actives on the day you shave as the skin would be extra raw and sensitive.
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6. Pay Attention To Your Deodorant Choices
Yes, how and what kind of deodorant you apply has some influence on underarm pigmentation. Most conventional deodorants have aluminium whose major role is to block sweat glands. While there’s no conclusive evidence that it’s harmful to the skin, some may experience irritation from aluminium deodorants which could result in dark underarms, too. If you’re one of them, then consider switching to aluminium-free deodorants. Granted, the transition phase can be tough but once your pits get used to them, you will be guaranteed freshness and nourishing ingredients that will let the pores breathe and repair pigmentation. Look for ones that have a mild amount of exfoliants and soothing and nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and ceramides.
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7. Keep DIY Solutions To A Minimum
You may have heard of using lemon, turmeric, potato juice and other such at-home remedies. While they may be useful once in a while, it’s not a good idea to keep using DIY remedies. They’re raw and unregulated which could irritate the underarm skin. Instead, prioritise effective over-the-counter skin care products.
8. Consult A Dermatologist
If there are any underlying health concerns that cause hyperpigmentation on your underarms, it’s better to get an expert opinion before relying on product recommendations. They will help determine the root cause to help determine an effective course of action.
9. Give Your Underarms A Break
Sometimes it’s best to just leave your underarms alone. As we mentioned earlier, underarm skin is very delicate and sensitive. Frequent shaving and over-applying products can disrupt the natural balance of the skin. Pace your underarm care routine. Take routine breaks from applying deodorant to help the sweat glands to eliminate all the toxins and waste. Allow skincare products enough time to work. Patience and time are key, folks.
