If you've thrown away all your tank tops and cover your arms because you have dark underarms, there is a solution. There are several ways to lighten skin spots in the underarm area. If you want to get rid of it with home remedies, you can use natural bleaching agents, such as potatoes, combined with moisturizing and exfoliating products. Alternatively, you can contact your doctor and ask him if there is a disorder causing this blemish, then work with him to find an appropriate cosmetic treatment.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Home Remedies
Step 1. Try a natural lightener
The acidic, antibacterial and antiseptic properties of certain fruits and vegetables can naturally whiten the skin. Potatoes, cucumbers and lemons help eliminate dark spots under the armpits.
- Potato - slice a thin potato and rub some on the dark area. Alternatively, you can grate it to obtain a "juice". Apply it under your armpits, let it dry for 10 minutes and rinse.
- Cucumber - as you did with the potato, you can rub a few slices of cucumber on the affected area or grate it and use the pulp. If you want a more potent remedy, add a few drops of lemon and a little turmeric, just enough to make a paste. Apply it, wait half an hour and rinse.
- Lemon - pass a thick slice of lemon over the dark area; it will remove dead cells and brighten the skin. Rinse and, if necessary, apply a moisturizer (with prolonged use, lemon dries the skin). To make a paste, add a hint of turmeric, plain yogurt, or honey to the lemon juice. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse.
- Egg oil - massage it gently on the dark area and leave it on overnight. The omega-3s contained within promote re-epithelialization (formation of new dermal cells), making the skin smooth and clear. The next morning, wash with a neutral pH soap or body wash.
Step 2. Hydrate
The most important thing you can do to prevent or treat dark spots in your armpit area is to moisturize it at least twice a day. Use a natural moisturizer, such as aloe vera or lecithin.
Step 3. Exfoliate
Dark underarms can be caused by the buildup of dead skin cells, so exfoliating your skin can lighten it.
- Sugar - mix about 40 g of cane sugar with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Apply the mixture to damp skin for a couple of minutes in the shower or tub, then rinse off. Do this treatment a couple of times a week.
- Bicarbonate - prepare a rather thick mixture with water and bicarbonate, to be used as a scrub. Once passed on the affected area, rinse and dry by applying a layer of baking soda to the skin to give it a lighter appearance.
- Baking soda and rose water - prepare a paste based on baking soda and rose water. Apply it to your armpits, then rinse off with warm water. Dry your arms. Continue applying until you see that the area clears up.
- Orange - peel an orange and dry the peel in the sun. Grate it into a powder and form a paste by adding rose water and milk. Massage it under your armpits for 10-15 minutes then rinse with cold water.
- Pumice stone - use it to gently remove dead skin cells from your armpits. Pumice stone is a magmatic, light and abrasive rock. You can find it in the supermarket and in perfumery. Wet it well and run it under your armpits.
Step 4. Try a liquid treatment
Open the fridge or pantry and look for something that can lighten dark spots in the armpits, but also soften and refresh the skin.
- Milk - the vitamins and fatty acids contained in milk make it a very effective lightening product. Make a paste with two tablespoons of milk, one of rennet and one of flour. Apply it, let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water. The skin should become softer, get rid of dead cells and, as a result, lighten. You can get better results with whole milk cream.
- Vinegar - if you want clearer, germ-free and fragrant skin, mix the vinegar with the rice flour until it forms a paste. Take a warm shower and apply it to your armpits. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes until it dries and wash it off with warm water.
- Coconut oil - the vitamin E contained in coconut oil is able to lighten the skin over time, so for it to take effect, it must be used daily or every other day. Before washing, massage it into your skin for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with mild soap and warm water. Another benefit of coconut oil is that it naturally neutralizes bad odors.
Step 5. Prepare a whitening treatment
If you prefer a more powerful remedy, you can try a natural whitening treatment based on chickpea flour. Mix it with yogurt, lemon and a pinch of turmeric until you get a thick paste. Apply it and let it sit for at least half an hour before rinsing it off with warm water. Use it every day for 2 weeks, then 3 times a week to accelerate the whitening effect.
Step 6. Throw out the razor and use the wax
Dark halos can be caused by thicker hairs under the skin that grow back after using the razor. Since waxing removes hair at the root, the area will be lighter and the skin softer.
Step 7. Forget the deodorant
The antiperspirant chemicals contained in these products help darken the underarm area by causing an inflammatory reaction. Few are the people who, in fact, have bad odor problems and most do not need deodorant.
Method 2 of 2: Medical Treatments
Step 1. See your doctor
Home remedies may not work if you have acanthosis nigricans, a dermatosis characterized by hyperpigmented areas (light brown to black) and velvety skin in certain areas, including the armpits.
- This disease occurs in association with obesity or endocrine disorders. It often occurs in people with diabetes or those predisposed to diabetes and is more common in people of African descent.
- Other possible causes of acanthosis nigricans are Addison's disease, pituitary gland disorders, growth hormone treatments, hypothyroidism, or use of oral contraceptives.
Step 2. Change your diet
If the problem is related to diabetes, it is preferable to change the diet by limiting the intake of starches and sugars.
Step 3. Stop taking the pill
If the cause goes back to the use of oral contraceptives, try changing birth control methods to see if the situation improves once the drug is stopped.
Step 4. Ask the dermatologist to prescribe a treatment for you
Retinol A, 20% urea, alpha hydroxy acids, and salicylic acid may be helpful when prescribed by your doctor, but have a mild effect.
- The most popular ingredient in lightening creams is hydroquinone. Dermatologists can prescribe products that contain it up to 4%, otherwise the concentration reaches a maximum of 2%. Always ask your doctor for advice before using a hydroquinone product.
- Go for skin lighteners made by reputable pharmaceutical companies. Although the European Union has banned the distribution of mercury-based cosmetics, some creams containing this ingredient can still be found on the Internet. So, read the ingredients list carefully.
Step 5. Avoid electrolysis
All women, but especially those with dark skin, are at risk of hyperpigmentation (discolouration of the skin due to increased production of melanin) when they resort to electrolysis to remove unwanted hair. If you are following this treatment, stop it to prevent the problem from getting worse.
Advice
- Wash your armpits with a good bubble bath. Use a deodorant with natural ingredients.
- Exfoliate your skin more often if you have hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
- For best results, book an armpit wax with your beautician.
Warnings
- Skin bleaching, like excessive exfoliation, can cause severe damage and scarring. Hair follicles, pores and sweat glands in the armpit area can become infected. If the infection gets too close to the lymph nodes, it can be dangerous because it can spread quickly systemically, causing septic shock. Consider all the pros and cons carefully before treating this delicate area. First of all consult your doctor.
- If you don't suffer from hyperhidrosis, it is absolutely normal to have dark spots in places where the skin is very thin, such as the eyelids or the genital and anal area. It is not a physical defect. Be aware that advertising photos featuring female subjects are often retouched with special effects. Additionally, adult film actresses usually surgically lighten the genital / anal area to achieve this effect.
