Do you often find yourself choosing sleeved tops to hide your dark underarms? Or spending money on products that promise to lighten underarm darkness but never deliver?
We understand your struggle - and we’re here to make it simpler. Underarm darkness is a widespread skin concern that leaves many people feeling self-conscious in sleeveless outfits. While it’s usually harmless, it can sometimes be linked to poor hygiene, skin irritation, or even an underlying medical condition. Most of all, it affects your confidence and prevents you from wearing what you love.
So, how can you deal with it effectively? In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key causes of underarm darkness and share 9 easy, effective solutions to help you lighten your armpits. With the right approach, you can not only fade but even completely remove underarm darkness over time. Keep reading to find out how.
Key Takeaways
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Understanding the Causes
Understanding why underarms get darker helps you remove them more efficiently:
- Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) - Dark underarms are often linked to AN, a condition that causes dark, thick skin in the body folds like the underarms, back of the neck, etc. Mostly, people with diabetes or obesity get this condition. It is usually harmless. 1
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Repeated friction, such as from tight clothing, or irritation from shaving or hair removal, can trigger melanocyte activation, leading to hyperpigmentation as part of the skin’s healing response. 2
- Harsh antiperspirants or deodorants: Chemical irritants present in such products can provoke inflammation or irritation on the skin, leading to skin darkening.3
- Poor Hygiene: Accumulation of dead skin cells, dirt, grime, etc., can also lead to darker-looking underarms. 4
Dermatologist-Approved Solutions
Dermatologists suggest:
- Moisturise daily with aloe vera or coconut oil. (more on this below)
- Using exfoliating agents like lactic acid or glycolic acid creams. 5
- Professional treatments (chemical peels, laser therapy) for stubborn darkness. 5
9 Tips to Remove Underarm Darkness
Although many natural remedies are suggested for underarm darkness, few are truly supported by science. Lemon and baking soda, for instance, are often believed to have bleaching effects, but they can also irritate the skin and may even worsen pigmentation in some people. This is why it’s important to use home remedies with caution. Instead, consider safer, time-tested natural options that are more likely to deliver visible results.
Here’s how to reduce underarm darkness naturally with simple remedies.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel can help soothe and hydrate inflamed skin. It contains aloesin, a natural compound helpful in blocking tyrosinase, an enzyme that makes melanin. Studies have shown that aloesin can help reduce pigmentation. Regular use of aloe vera helps to calm irritation and also gradually lighten the skin. 6
To use, apply freshly extracted aloe vera gel directly on your underarms. Leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse with plain water and moisturise.
2. Coconut Oil
As per studies, virgin coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, non-irritating, and helps strengthen the skin barrier. With regular use, it soothes, nourishes, and supports a more even underarm tone.7
Rub a few drops of virgin coconut oil on your underarms before showering. Follow with a moisturiser post bath.
3. Vinegar
Studies show that vinegar has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, making it effective at fighting odour-causing bacteria and helping exfoliate underarm skin by removing dead cells and lightening pigmentation naturally. 8 However, it is advised to use it sparingly, as inappropriate use can lead to skin irritation.
Make a natural scrub by mixing rice flour and vinegar. Apply this paste to your dark underarms and scrub gently. Repeat this twice a month for best results.
4. Alum
Alum has natural antibacterial and skin-tightening properties that make it a great alternative to chemical deodorants. As per studies, it may help both brighten the skin by suppressing melanin production and control odour through its antibacterial properties. 9
Grind alum to a fine powder and mix it with rosewater to form a refreshing, natural deodorant. Apply this post-bath every day.
5. Cucumber
Cucumber has active components that are gentle and soothing on the skin. With regular use, it can reduce pigmentation, calm irritation, and keep underarm skin hydrated and refreshed. 10, 11
Simply rub slices on your underarms daily. You can also apply cucumber juice directly to your underarms and leave it for 30 minutes. Later, rinse with plain water and moisturise.
6. Natural DIY Scrubs
Homemade scrubs made from gentle ingredients like oatmeal, coffee grounds or herbal powders are also proven to be effective against dead skin build-up. Herbal exfoliants boost skin metabolism, detoxify the skin and boost absorption of nourishing ingredients. 12
Form a paste with water or curd using any of these ingredients. Apply the paste to your underarms and gently scrub for 5 minutes. Rinse with plain water and moisturise for best results.
7. Turmeric
Curcumin in turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient that also brightens skin naturally. Regular use can reduce pigmentation and even out the skin tone. 13
Mixing turmeric with milk or honey creates a nourishing paste that can be applied to the underarms for 15 minutes before rinsing.
8. Rosewater
Rosewater works as a natural toner that calms and refreshes irritated underarm skin. Its mild properties prevent inflammation and gradually help lighten the skin. 14
Dab it gently with a cotton pad after shaving or hair removal to soothe the area.
9. Skin Lightening Creams
Over-the-counter (OTC)creams with ingredients like niacinamide, kojic acid, or liquorice extract can help lighten underarm pigmentation. These topical treatments work by reducing melanin production in the skin. 15
Always do a patch test before use and apply consistently for visible results. It is best to apply these OTC creams under medical supervision.
Advanced Clinical Treatments
For stubborn underarm darkness, dermatologists often recommend advanced clinical treatments such as:
- Laser Therapy: Dermatologists often use safe laser treatments that target excess pigment in the skin, helping lighten dark underarms over time. 16
- Dermabrasion/Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive resurfacing procedure that gently removes the outer skin layer, improving uneven skin tone, melasma, and pigmentation by encouraging skin renewal. 17
- Chemical Peels: A chemical peel uses safe solutions to gently remove damaged skin layers, encouraging new skin growth. This helps improve texture, even out skin tone, and reduce the appearance of pigmentation or blemishes. 18
- Prescription Creams (Hydroquinone, Retinoids, Corticosteroids): There are several underarm darkness removal creams available. Hydroquinone is a commonly prescribed skin-lightening cream used for conditions like melasma, freckles, and dark patches. When combined with retinoids and mild steroids, it works more effectively to fade pigmentation while lowering side effects.19,20
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how to remove underarm darkness, remember - there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another. Starting with simple natural remedies is always a good first step, but if the darkness persists, consulting a dermatologist for advanced treatments is the best approach.
Frequently Ask Questions:
1. Why are my underarms dark even after shaving?
Shaving your underarms can irritate the skin, leading to inflammation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is because, as the skin heals post-inflammation, it triggers excess melanin production, causing darker skin.
2. Can glycolic acid safely lighten underarms?
Yes, glycolic acid can safely lighten your underarms as it gently exfoliates the top skin layer, helping fade pigmentation. But always do a patch test first before applying.
3. Is laser hair removal effective against dark underarms?>
Laser hair removal targets the pigment in hair follicles, reducing regrowth. But, in some cases, it may lead to temporary darkening in the underarm areas. So, it is not effective against dark underarms.
4. When should I consult a dermatologist for underarm darkness?>
If natural home remedies do not work, and the hyperpigmentation in your underarms is thick and dark, you can consult a dermatologist for advanced clinical treatments.
