Discolored Skin Under Armpits can be embarrassing. It can influence clothing choices as well as participation in activities such as going to the beach or swimming pool. The degree of skin discoloration in the armpit area varies greatly between individuals. The discoloration is caused by a number of factors, the majority of which are easily treatable.
Darkened skin is usually not a cause for concern, but in some cases it can indicate underlying health issues that must be addressed.
On This Page
- Discoloration Under Armpit: Why and What to Do
- Lighten Dark Armpit Skin with Natural Remedies
- Dead Skin Cells Buildup
- Ways to get rid of dark underarms
- What Is Dark Skin Under the Armpit?
- Hyperpigmentation in Dark Skin
- Dark Skin in Groin Area
- Glycolic Acid & Dark Skin
- Underarm Bump: The Causes
- What Causes Dark Armpits & How To Prevent and Treat Them
Discoloration Under Armpits: Why and What to Do
Pressure and the use of your right hand and arm may be causing swollen veins under your armpit. If you are concerned that they may be blocked or occluded, some indications, such as discoloration of the area, would have been displayed.
Some deodorants and antiperspirants can cause armpit discoloration. If you notice a discoloration in your underarms after switching deodorants or antiperspirants, consider reverting to your previous brand or switching to another product.
Shaving your armpits is a common practice for many women, so you may not be aware that the habit is most likely the source of your skin discoloration. “The most common cause [of underarm discoloration] is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from irritation, which is typically caused by shaving, rubbing, or scratching,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Your razor could be irritating your skin, or it could be your hair itself making your skin appear darker. Shaving only removes surface-level hair, so if your hair color is darker than your skin tone, “your skin can appear to have a dark stain, but it’s really just subsurface hair,” Women’s Health explains.
Discolored Skin Under Armpits Reader Example 1
This has been an ongoing problem for me for as long as I can remember. But lately, it’s gradually getting worse. I was wondering why my armpits are so dark. I’m African American, but very light-skinned (like the celebrity Alicia keys), many people think I am mixed. So this problem of this discoloration is very noticeable. It reminds me of like caked-on dirt but it’s not dirt, because I wash and bathe daily and it is yet to get better. I’ve stopped using deodorant completely and wash up very frequently under my arms, but nothing seems to help. I do shave, but the hair doesn’t grow back that fast so I’m unsure of how often I perform this.
Discoloration is one of the most common skin concerns. Beyond dark spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation that can develop on your face, discoloration can appear in places below the neck, including your armpits. To understand how to treat underarm discoloration, you need to first determine what’s causing it. According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner , board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.Com consultant, there are four common causes.
Reader Example 2
I am white, with dark skin discoloration under my arms and around my vaginal area. It’s embarrassing for me to even ask the doctor about it because it appears “dirty.” Is there any way I can fix this, or is it normal?
What factors contribute to dark armpits? Ideally, you want it to be the same colour as the rest of your body. However, due to its unique position, underarm skin is usually darker. Dead skin cells can accumulate in this folded and hidden area. Furthermore, it is exacerbated by habits ranging from the use of chemical deodorants to the wearing of tight clothing. Underarm discoloration is usually not a health concern, but dark armpits can be embarrassing, especially during bikini season.
The skin in the armpit is extremely sensitive and can be easily irritated by the use of deodorants, waxing, or shaving on a regular basis. All of these can cause discoloration of the skin in the armpits. Avoiding skin irritants such as deodorants, antiperspirants, shaving, plucking, and waxing will all aid in the prevention of underarm skin discoloration. If your armpits are already discoloured, however, there are some treatments that can help.
While both men and women can have dark underarms, this is a problem that affects women more than men. Dark underarms are more common in women with darker skin tones. Many people search the internet for solutions to this problem, using terms like developing dark underarms cream or underarm bleach.
People with dark armpits can consult doctors and dermatologists, or even try expensive spa treatments, to reduce the appearance of discoloration under the arms, but these options may be too expensive or simply impractical for a large number of people. For people with tight schedules and even tighter budgets, finding the time to go to the doctor or the money to spend on a pricey spa treatment may be impossible.
Our underarms are constantly denied that incredible love and care. As a result, they darken and become unsightly over time. The discoloration of armpits is enough to cause embarrassment, especially when wearing sleeveless clothes in the sweltering heat of summer. However, by selecting the right underarm whitening product, it can be eliminated or reduced to a certain extent. If you’re having trouble with dark armpits, here’s everything you need to know about the issue, as well as a list of the best underarm whitening products on the market.
Common Causes of Discolored Skin Under Armpits
Skin discoloration is a common issue. It happens for a variety of reasons. These include excessive sweating, skin pigmentation, and, in some cases, stress. We can hide it in the winter, but it’s a real problem in the summer. You may have a sexy and slim body, but your dark armpits ruin the fun of wearing a bikini.
Because the skin in the underarm area is so sensitive, it is prone to rashes, discoloration, infection, ingrown hair, and even acne. Pigmentation or discoloration is a common complaint among both men and women that necessitates the use of home remedies for dark underarms or cosmetic procedures to resolve. To get rid of dark armpits, you’d have to identify the underlying cause and take targeted steps. Hormonal imbalances, improper shaving, and acanthosis nigricans (a skin ailment characterised by dark underarms and common in those with an underlying health condition such as diabetes or obesity) can all cause armpit darkening. Deodorant or certain drugs can also cause armpit darkening.
The most obvious symptom or sign of armpit pain is aching, throbbing, stinging, or general discomfort. Other symptoms may include swelling, redness, inflammation, muscle weakness, reduced mobility, tenderness, lumps, numbness, skin with a deeper tone, bruising, and “shoulder, arm, hand, or finger pain.”
Respiratory issues (short breath, breathing difficulties, wheezing or choking), haemorrhage or excessive bleeding, paralysis, bone exposure on the skin surface, intense stabbing armpit pain, and chest tightness, pressure, palpitation, or pain are some serious and life-threatening pain under the armpit symptoms that require emergency treatment.
Worried About the Sleeveless Season?
Sleeveless season is here! It’s time to shed the layers for tank tops and spaghetti-strap dresses. But now that your armpits are on full display this summer, have you noticed any skin discoloration in your underarm area? Well, the formal term for it and those dark patches is called hyperpigmentation.
Dark underarms or the discoloration in underarms may be caused due to shaving the armpit hair, as shaving only removes hair from the surface, whereas waxing removes the hair from the root leaving your underarms lighter and softer. Also skin deodorants and roll on and antiperspirants have strong chemicals that may lead to inflammatory response and darken the underarms. But if the darkening of your underarms is making you conscious, there are different ways that you can try to get rid of the underarm discoloration. We have listed a few ways to tackle it.
Reader Example 3
I began experiencing sudden and sharp stabs of painful heat around my torso and neck a few months ago, possibly unrelated to the skin problem, despite having a high tolerance to heat.
Sometime later, I noticed this discoloration under my armpits: it’s brown, but it’s not a solid patch of brown; rather, it’s a collection of straight, rice-shaped markings that start below my armpit and spread downward and onto my chest.
Have you ever wondered what causes those groyne bulges? You’ve probably heard that it’s caused by a fungus. But that isn’t the only reason. Because the area is warm and moist, it is prone to a variety of infections and conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of groyne discoloration.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory lesion whose cause is unknown, but is thought to be related to the proliferation of various commensal Malassezia yeast organisms. It also affects hair-bearing areas such as the scalp (dandruff), the armpits, under the breast, skin folds, and the mid facial region.
Lighten Dark Armpit Skin with Natural Remedies
Here are some simple home remedies and tips for removing underarm discoloration.
Lemon is a natural bleaching agent that lightens dark spots, whitens skin, and exfoliates dead skin cells. If you want white underarms as soon as possible, massage your armpits with lemon juice. You could also use a freshly cut lemon slice.
Natural treatments, according to some, can lighten dark skin. There is little, if any, scientific evidence to back up these claims.
Among the most popular natural remedies for dark underarms are:
- curcumin, which is a pigment in turmeric
- lemon juice
- milk thistle
- sea cucumber extract,
Some of these home remedies may have unintended consequences. Lemon juice, for example, has the potential to dry out or irritate the skin.
Calamine lotion, for example, is used by practical moms to lighten dark armpits after pregnancy. This is a low-cost but effective product that is high in vitamin C and promotes a healthy skin glow while also having natural bleaching properties.
You should always keep in mind that using too many cosmetics on your skin will damage the natural colour of your skin, resulting in skin darkening.
You Don’t Want to Wear a Sleeveless Outfit?
Do you find it awkward to wear a sleeveless outfit because you have darker skin around your armpits? Worry no longer, because there is a whitening cream product with an effective and powerful formula that can assist you in achieving professional results. It can provide you with intense and natural lightening cleaning and bleaching, providing you with a definitive solution for your darkened armpit. It may be necessary for you to be patient while everything is in the process. It truly is giving you white underarms to a lot of people, so it truly pays forward if you can give it your time to help you achieve better results.
Darkening of the skin of the neck area is not usually a skin disease, but it is an embarrassing problem that affects the person’s appearance. Natural and time-tested home remedies are the best way to lighten the skin tone of the neck region.
Here you will find simple natural remedies that can be used to both lighten and care for your skin. Deodorants, wax hair removal, excessive sweating, and other factors can all contribute to dark skin in the armpits, which not only looks unsightly but also clogs the pores of the skin. This article will introduce you to some homemade home remedies for lightening dark skin in the armpits.
While there are many skin and beauty care products on the market, nothing beats the goodness and wholesomeness of natural products. If you’re wondering how to lighten darkened armpit skin with natural ingredients, we’ve got some ideas for you. Many only necessitate a trip to your kitchen.
Dead Skin Cells Buildup
Dark spots under your arms, according to at least one dermatologist, are caused by dead skin cells trapped in microscopic “hills and valleys” on your skin. What to do: exfoliate, preferably with a lactic acid-containing product.
According to the beauty tip website the beauty brains, dead skin cells can accumulate in the uneven crevices of armpit skin, giving it a dark appearance 2. Exfoliation on a regular basis, preferably with a lactic acid exfoliating cream, will help clear up the darkness caused by this cause. Learn more about exfoliating to get rid of dark underarms.
Ways to get rid of dark underarms
One of the best natural moisturisers is coconut oil. This removes skin patches as well as dead skin cells effectively. Furthermore, it lightens pigmentation, assisting in skin whitening.
Apple cider vinegar contains mild acids that help remove dead skin cells from your underarms while also lightening them. In addition, it acts as a disinfectant and aids in the killing of microbes. To lighten dark underarms, use apple cider vinegar.
Some of the causes of dark underarms include the use of hair removal creams on a regular basis, shaving, the accumulation of dead skin cells, and the use of alcohol-based antiperspirants and deodorants.
Acanthosis nigricans, a medical condition that causes dark underarms, should be treated by a doctor. If such a diagnosis is not available, then safe, natural, and effective treatments can be used to treat the condition.
Apply a soothing scrub to your underarms using a tablespoon of baking soda and rose water. Baking soda is a great exfoliant for removing dead skin cells that clog your pores. Rosewater, on the other hand, hydrates and soothes the skin.
Skin sensitivity and irritation can affect the underarms in the same way that they do the face. Exfoliation should extend below the neck for a variety of reasons, including “too much oil, clogged pores, pimples (known as folliculitis), and a buildup of dead, dull, and sometimes discoloured skin cells,” according to Dr. Zalka.
To that end, there are physical exfoliants like masks and scrubs that manually remove dead skin cells and debris, as well as chemical exfoliants like toners that use the power of ahas, bhas, and phas to gently melt away the buildup.
What Is Dark Skin Under the Armpit?
A variety of factors, ranging from medical conditions to the products you use, or simply genetics, could be to blame for your dark underarms.
Furthermore, if you have a darker skin tone or extra sensitive skin, you are more likely to have dark underarms, according to board-certified dermatologist dr. Marisa Garshick. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in people with sensitive skin who are prone to irritation. This is hyperpigmentation that occurs after a rash or inflammation has subsided.
Obesity is a major contributor to dark underarms. Losing weight can frequently solve the problem. Diabetes can also be effectively treated by losing weight. Consult your doctor about diet and fitness plans that will help you achieve a healthy weight for your height. If you suspect that a medication you’re taking is causing your dark underarms, speak with your doctor about switching medications.
Physical examination:
By observing and palpating (feeling) the armpit, a doctor may find enlarged lymph nodes or other armpit conditions. Axillary lymph node biopsy: part or all of a lymph node is removed from the armpit and examined under a microscope, sometimes to look for cancer. Ultrasound: a device placed on the surface of the skin bounces high-frequency sound waves off the structures in the armpit. The signals are converted into images on a video screen, allowing health care providers to see structures inside the body.
The armpit is a sensitive area of skin that can quickly develop an underarm rash after shaving, sweating, or wearing restricting tops. A red, swollen, and itchy armpit rash can also cause a great deal of discomfort or pain. Treating underarm rash starts with detecting the underlying cause. Learn what to look for and how to get rid of armpit rash with simple home remedies.
Another common armpit skin rash cause is sweat rash which is primarily caused by blocked sweat ducts that “trap perspiration under your skin. Symptoms range from superficial blisters to deep, red lumps”. It commonly affects babies but can affect adults (men and women) too. See the besides heat rash in the armpit picture should give you a hint on what you expect.
Acanthosis nigricans is the medical term for darkened, thickened patches of skin that usually develop in the armpit and around the groin and neck. You’ll have thickened, brownish-grey or black patches of skin. These patches may occur anywhere but are usually seen around the neck, in the armpit, around the groin, and sometimes in other skin folds. This medical condition is usually a sign of obesity, diabetes, or abnormal hormone levels.
Aluminium-free Deodorants
With more people becoming aware of the dangers of using antiperspirants containing toxic ingredients, more people are opting for aluminium-free deodorants as a safer alternative. However, after using aluminium-free natural deodorants like black chicken axilla, no pong, and woohoo body for a few months, some people notice a visible darkening of the skin in their armpit.
The way we care for our armpits is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Some people prefer to embrace their hair, while others never miss a laser treatment appointment. Some people prefer spraying antiperspirant to swiping a natural deodorant stick. There is also a distinction in how people approach hyperpigmentation, or darkened skin under their arms. Some people are unconcerned about this natural (and very common) occurrence, while others are looking for a way to even out the skin in that area. To each their own, as the saying goes.
It’s no surprise that so many women have dark underarms because there are numerous factors that contribute to this issue.
Shaving
When you shave with a razor, you cut hair just beneath the skin’s surface. Shaving causes unsightly stubble, giving the impression that you have darker underarms. The same is true for hair removal creams such as Anne French or Veet. Both of these remove hair only on the surface, making the underarms appear darker. The fact that shaving causes ingrown hair exacerbates the problem even more. Waxing, on the other hand, removes hair from the root.
dark underarms seem to worsen after shaving, turn to laser hair removal, which reduces the need to shave as often
Hyperpigmentation in Dark Skin
After inflammation, the skin can darken (“post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation”), especially in people with darker skin. There are several methods for fading the extra colour, but they all take months to perfect; there is no quick fix. Chemical peels, laser therapy, and prescription creams from your dermatologist can all be beneficial. It is best to have your case reviewed by a skin expert.
Melasma is distinguished by hyperpigmentation, which can be as light as slightly darker than the surrounding skin or as dark as much darker. The most commonly affected areas are the cheeks.
If you’re wondering what causes a dark ring around your neck, it could be simple hyperpigmentation, which is nothing to be concerned about. One cause that may cause concern is acanthosis nigricans. This results in dark spots in any skin creases. The skin may appear thicker, which is usually due to increased insulin levels. This article will help you understand the various causes of this, what you can do about it, and when you should be concerned.
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, dark patches on your skin can also be caused by clumps of excess melanin, the skin’s brown pigment. The condition is known as hyperpigmentation, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. True hyperpigmentation is not a sign of a serious medical problem. However, newly formed irregularities in the appearance of the skin are a warning sign of skin cancer and should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Lightening Dark Skin in Armpit and Groin Areas
Laser therapy: intense pulsed light devices and q-switched lasers are commonly used to lighten darkened skin areas. Topical creams: Topical hydroquinone or prescription retinol (vitamin A) cream may aid in the reduction of the appearance of dark skin patches. Chemical peels: Salicylic acid and glycolic acid-containing peels can be used to remove the outer, discoloured layer of skin.
Fungal infections of the skin are common problems, and they are more likely to affect specific areas, such as the feet, groyne, and scalp. These infections thrive in dark, moist, and warm environments, and the armpit is one such location where fungal infections are common. Certain factors that are specific to the armpits increase the likelihood of an armpit fungus.
Glycolic Acid & Dark Skin
Any brightening serum would work, but make sure to follow it up with sunscreen or it will only get darker. I’ve used faded and a 7% glycolic toner in the past. Both worked, but I preferred the toner because the fade makes it difficult to use anything else. If you’re looking for something more akin to a cleanser, kojic acid & turmeric soap would suffice. However, always wear sunscreen; otherwise, your dark spots will only become darker. It should also be a mineral sunscreen.
Underarm Darkness the Causes
A rash can usually be found in both the left and right armpits. It can, however, only appear on one side, either the left or right armpit. The rash in one armpit may appear as small bumps, large lumps such as boils, blisters, or scaly dry patches. One of the infections that can affect one or both armpits is a fungal and bacterial attack. The hot and moist environment in the underarm cavity can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, leading to folliculitis and skin rashes.
Itchy armpits can be a bothersome and sometimes disruptive condition. While not normally dangerous, the underarm area is unfortunately prone to dermatological conditions of various types. Armpit rashes are typically red bumps that look like pimples or scaly, white patches, and the type of rash you have will determine your symptoms and treatment. The rash can last for hours or months, depending on what caused it. Treatment methods vary but can include a combination of home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and lifestyle changes.
What Causes Dark Armpits & How To Prevent and Treat Them
There is a type of irritation that is more common than we may think and has nothing to do with deodorant. Intertrigo is the scientific term for a skin rash that appears between the folds of skin, also known as the armpits.
A number of factors contribute to this inflammatory skin condition, including friction between skin folds, a lack of air circulation, moisture, bacteria, and heat. It’s no surprise that our pits would be the ideal location for this rash to appear! While this condition makes the skin feel raw, itchy, cracked, and red, there are some natural remedies to help prevent and treat intertrigo.
Discolored Skin Under Armpits Addisons Disease image: Madhero88, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
