Dark Underarms: What are the Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Options?

Dark Underarms: What are the Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Options?

Dark underarms or armpit hyperpigmentation is a very common cosmetic skin concern that can affect anyone, irrespective of one’s age, gender, race, or ethnicity. They are a perfectly natural occurrence. Are you having dark underarms and want to know the best way to get rid of the hyperpigmented armpit? Keep reading this article to learn about the most effective dark underarms treatment in Bangalore. But before learning about what options you can avail to keep underarms smooth and evenly toned, it is important for you to first understand the various causes of dark underarms.

What causes dark armpits?

Normally, the armpit skin appears of the same shade as the skin of the rest of the body of an individual. However, sometimes people have their underarm skin darkening over time due to a variety of reasons.

Common reasons of what causes dark underarms:

  • Fungal or yeast infection: If underarm skin gets a fungal or yeast infection like Candida, it can cause the skin to turn bright red and itchy. Scratching the underarm area can result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the darkening of the armpits.
  • Allergic/Contact dermatitis: Daily use of skin-irritating products like perfumes and deodorants and wearing of fitted clothing that causes a lot of friction and sweating in the underarms can cause dark armpits.
  • Repeated shaving or waxing of underarm hair: If traditional hair removal methods like shaving without the use of any lubricant/ moisturizer are performed too harshly on the sensitive skin of the underarm, it may cause razor burns and inflame the skin. Moreover, aggressive waxing can irritate the underarm skin. Both shaving and waxing in the underarm area can result in dark underarms over time.
  • Acanthosis nigricans: It is a skin condition that causes thickening and darkening of the skin of the body folds and creases along with the formation of skin tags. Weight gain is its culprit and it typically affects one’s armpits as well as back of the neck and groyne creases.
  • Constitutional Hyperpigmentation: The melanin content of the skin is decided by the constitutional colour (white, brown, or black) and also the skin phototype. Indian skin tone is more likely to be hyperpigmented due to overexposure to the sun.

This causative factor commonly is found in India and is a part of identifying oneself in terms of appearance. For instance, some people want their certain body parts like underarms, elbows, and knees, to be darker than usual skin tone.

What is the best treatment for whitening underarms?

When there are different possible causes of dark underarms, it is probably hard to find one solution that could help lighten the underarm skin. If underarm pigmentation has been there for a long period, it can be best diagnosed by a dermatologist and also appropriately treated. Dark underarm treatment options are effective and in today’s time, there is a huge market for them.

As per a dermatologist in Bangalore, Dr. Rasya Dixit, there are several in-clinic treatments available for dark underarms. The best ones are briefed below:

  • Skin-lightening creams: Skin-lightening products that are formulated with powerful active ingredients that can help brighten, clarify, and even out the skin tone of the armpit.
  • Laser hair reduction: Medical-grade lasers can help uproot underarm hair safely and effectively. It is advised to go for laser hair removal to avoid the unwanted effects of shaving or waxing on the underarm skin like skin irritation and darkening.
  • Chemical peels: Chemical peels are acid solutions that can help exfoliate the skin based on the strength of the acid. Depending on the extent of hyperpigmentation in the underarm area, a dermatologist uses superficial, medium, or deep peels. These peels get rid of the top, pigmented layers of the skin to reveal fresh skin from underneath.

You can get the benefits of laser skin whitening treatment in Bangalore with Dr. Rasya Dixit at Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic.

Why do people opt for dark underarm treatment?

Especially, when it's summer, most people want to wear sleeveless clothes. Unfortunately, their dark underarms make them change to half or full-sleeved clothes, which makes them feel more comfortable and less conscious of their appearance.

Currently, there is growing popularity of dark underarms treatment as more and more people feel comfortable and in fashion wearing sleeveless clothes.

What to do if you have dark underarms?

The best advice is to turn to a licensed, highly skilled, and experienced dermatologist near me. A dermatologist can help you understand the contributing factors of your cosmetic skin concern and then provide you with a customised treatment plan for underarm skin lightening.

No matter what treatment you undertake for dark underarms, consulting a dermatologist is recommended to achieve quick, impressive lightening of the armpit skin. You can get more details on underarm whitening in Bangalore at Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic.

Can I prevent dark underarms?

Yes, having dark underarms is avoidable by just making a few changes in our habits. Here are some ways to prevent hyperpigmentation in the armpits:

  • Have a safe shaving routine. Always use a lubricant like a shaving cream before using a razor in the underarm area. Keep changing the razor to avoid cuts. Apply a moisturiser or soothing lotion on the underarm skin following shaving.
  • Regularly exfoliate underarm skin with a chemical exfoliator. Apply a chemical exfoliator once a week in the underarm region to get rid of the build-up of dead skin cells. Avoid using mechanical exfoliators like scrubs having coarse microparticles. Scrubbers can cause skin abrasions that further could irritate the skin and result in dark underarms.
  • Avoid wearing fitted and skin-irritating clothing. Wear breathable clothing in summer to avoid friction and sweating in the underarms.
  • Use carefully selected skin products in the underarm area. When choosing a deodorant or perfume for use in the armpit, avoid those containing skin pores-clogging elements like aluminium and skin irritants like alcohol. Sensitive-skinned people should choose a moisturising, fragrance-free mild deodorant or perfume.

Dark underarms are embarrassing for both men and women. If you are looking for Best Underarm Whitening Treatment in Bangalore, you must consult an expert dermatologist or get in touch with Dr. Rasya Dixit who has helped many people with their skin darkening issues.

To help you with more information watch her video for more details on underarm whitening treatments -