Top 5 Causes of Darkened Armpits

December

Top 5 Causes of Darkened Armpits

Germaine Pie Is Puzzled By Her Pits: What causes darkened armpits and what can we do to get rid of them? They’re so embarrassing!

The Right Brain Raises Her From the Pit of Despair:
armpit chimp stain It’s not surprising that so many people have this problem – there are at least FIVE different reasons your pits could be darker than they should be.

Cause #1: Shaving.

When you shave you cut the hairs off at, or just below, the surface of the skin. If your hairs are slightly darker than your skin color, they can give the appearance that your skin has a dark stain when it`s really just sub-surface hair.

What To Do About It: Stop shaving and try waxing or plucking instead so you get rid of the hair below the skin surface. Since the hairs aren’t lurking so close to the top of your skin, they won’t be as visible.

Cause #2: Buildup of dead skin cells.

According to at least one dermatolgist, dark spots under your arms are the result of dead skin cells that are trapped in microscopic “hills and valleys” on your skin.

What To Do About It: Exfoliate, preferably with a product containing lactic acid.

Cause #3: Antiperspirant and deodorant usage.

In theory, some ingredients in these products (perhaps the fragrance) could be reacting with the skin to cause discoloration. Practically speaking this seems unlikely but many people do claim that when they stop using APDs, the darkness goes away.

What To Do About It: Try switching brands or using a deodorant instead of an antiperspirant. You may stink a bit more, but hey, the Left Brain lives for experiments like that!

Cause #4: A medical condition called acanthosis nigricans.

This condition causes light-brown-to-black markings on the neck, under the arms, or in the groin. It can be related to insulin production or to a glandular disorder and it typically occurs in people who are overweight.

What To Do About It: Watch your diet to control insulin production and use Retin-A, 20% urea, alpha hydroxyacids, and salicylic acid prescriptions to lighten your armpits.

Cause #5: Hyper-pigmentation.

This condition causes your skin to produce excess melanin pigment. It doesn`t usually affect armpits, so it’s a less likely cause.

What To Do About It: Use a skin bleaching cream to destroy the excess melanin. The Beauty Brains don’t recommend this unless you consult a dermatologist first. You can also try laser treatment to destroy the pigment.

23 Responses to “Top 5 Causes of Darkened Armpits”

Secret Deodorant Skin Renewal - Page 2 - PCOS Message Board Says:

[...] Originally Posted by Gnzls924 has anyone tried Secret Deodorant’s Skin renewal? I picked it up at wallymart last week, and its supposed to visibly improve the condition of your arm (pits) in about 14 days! Since i am plagued with the dark patches on my skin, especially under my arms, i thought i’d give it a try….and by God, i think I see a little difference!! We’ve gotten a lot of questions about dark, discolored armpits so we looked into why this happens. Surprisingly, there are at least 5 causes of darkened armpits! [...]
Michelle Says:

I am black light skinned woman with extremely black armpits. it’s so embarassing that I don’t wear sleeveless shirts and feel very self conscious about this condition. this is the first information that I find instructive that I’m finding online. I’ve visited my dermatologist in the past re this but he doesn’t seem to think it’s a problem. I’m supposed to visit another one on Wednesday, I’m hoping he’ll have a better solution to this problem. Thank You.
Debbie Scott Says:

Hello, I have visted 2 doctor’s, and it looks as if I will have to get a 3rd opinion. I Have these dark spots under both of my arm pitts. I started out with about 2 to 3 under each arm. I haven’t used deo in about 2 months now, bute the dark spots are increasing under both arms. I notice the increase after I have ran or walked 10miles. help. 615/221-4479 (dscott147@yahoo.com)
Amber Says:

i havr these dark spots under my arm pits and i do usw doe. but i got this new one from Dove and it is spose to clear if up…….BUT no change and i have been using it for abou 1 mounth
The Beauty Brains » Blog Archive » Caffeine Tights, Eyelash Growth, Dark Underarms, And More Says:

[...] will get rid of dark underarms? I have tried everything. Have you tried reading our previous post on the causes of dark underarms? How you get rid of them depends on what’s causing [...]
Caffeine Tights, Eyelash Growth, Dark Underarms, And More | Beauty Secrets Blog Says:

[...] will get rid of dark underarms? I have tried everything. Have you tried reading our previous post on the causes of dark underarms? How you get rid of them depends on what’s causing [...]
william Says:

i like babe’s armpits.i dont know if it is bad thing or not .i want somebody to explain me
Dark underarms « Head to Toe Beauty Says:

[...] http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/12/16/the-top-5-causes-of-darkened-armpits/ [...]
Annaeh Says:

I’ve had dark Armpits for a while now.
It’s been really embrassing since my boyfriend even pointed it out to me.
I’ve started using DermaDoctor’s Non-scents deo. I’ve had it now for about 2 months. I’ve really noticed a change in the color of my armpits. I’ve also done some things like stopped shaving my armpits as often, I only shave when I wear tank tops. Since shavers irritate the skin. Check out Dermadoctor.com. I am an everyday person NOT a sales rep.

Thanks!
Ashley Says:

I have a solution. I got rid of the Darkness of my armpits. My friend from mexico had the same problem and one day i saw she didn’t have the dark under her armpits anymore so i asked her about what she’ve used to get rid of the problem. she told me that she bought a white Bar that it looks like baking soda, but it comes in bar intead of powder and you have to use
it everyday. but you also have to use lemon with it. so you’ll take a piece of that bar and break it into little pieces and with one lemon you have to take the powder and Rubbing that on your armpits will solve the problem. but you have to use it everyday before you get in the shower.leave it for about 5minutes. and put enough amount under your armpits. Remember that you can only get this at a mexican botany. just go and ask them. tell them that you need something to get rid of the dark armpits and they’ll give you that white bar. is not expensive is about 10bucks!! good luck! i know it worked for me. i have no more dark armpits.
Quar Says:

My armpits got darker after waxing…therefore I’m afraid to wax again. I’m trying this armpit lightner cream, and gently rubbing away the dead skin cells with a pumice stone.
Rina Says:

i have a very dark armpit for so so lomg and i am very cautious and embarassed about it. I read and seems that people are all trying out the baking soda thingy. How do i use it and do we have to mix it with water or something?
it works Says:

go to your nearest oriental store! And pick up some skin whitening soap. There are some stronger than others but I think that would just irritate the skin. Your skin will gradually lighten. It works. I mostly just use it for my armpits and it takes out the strongest deodorant residue. There usually found at the counter. I live in SF, so there everywhere!
Scheryl Says:

I have 3 kids. Some say that pregnancy changes your skin. I believe. I have the darkest armpit in the whole universe, i’ve used all kinds of oriental whitening soap. it only works as a herbal soap. got rid of arm rashes, but never the dark skin. I’ve tried this product called Magic Cream, it works if continueally being used. if you stop dark skin comes back. it’s like it wants u to use it life time. till the dark skin goes away for good. Well to me its expensive, coz i don’t make enough money. may be to most of you its affordable. GOOD LUCK!!! keep sharing more ideas please, im desperate.
Caro Says:

Hi, I got pregnant with my first kid, before that i had dark armpits and after my pregnancy my armpits are complete black that I feel so embarrased of raise my arm or wear shorts because now my groins are complete black. I really don’t know what to do I fell ugly and ashamed of myself because what people think that I may be dirty.
tina Says:

Well im getting married in two months and i have been putting bleach cream on my armpits all year to try to make them lighter. The bleach cream works on my face perfect but not on my armpits. I have tried almost everything to get rid of the dark dark skin but nothing. I don’t know what to do.
Mary Semeatu Says:

Well, thank you all for the incite of having black armpits…. I live in Australia and I too have the darkest armpits I’ve ever seen on a person….seriously. I have not worn a tank top or short sleeve shirt because of this problem that we all have. Because its nearly summer here and it gets terribly hot could anyone share anything at all to get rid of my shameful armpits that my husband pointed out to me….my addy is mary.semeatu@hotmail.com
Jeanne Says:

Anyone with dark patches under the arms, around the neck or between the legs – any or all of those places, including darkened knuckles, elbows should ask their Doctor to check them for insulin resistance and diabetes.
bere Says:

well i have that same problem i havent been to the dermatoligst so i dont know what truely causes it. For about 1 month I have been slicing limes in half and just squeezing the juice into the black spotted areas. I must say it has been clearing up so maybe that will help some of you. I know it sounds a little weird but it truely has been working for me, hope fully it helps me get rid of them for good.
dee dee Says:

I have really dark armpits. I feel extremely conscious when I wear Sleeveless dresses. Its summer here and Its getting really difficult to wear summer dresses.
I’m also worried that when someone notices it, they’ll think I’m not hygienic.
Rhonda Says:

The baking soda works!!!!u can apply it right out the box..just add water and make a paste…lemon juice is a plus but not needed…another option is to bleach the hairs of your armpits..but with that u run the risk of skin irritation and burning..
Paula Says:

I was looking all over for remedies and found a post that someone left saying that they went to SEPHORA and tried this out.. she said she got very good results! I think you guys should take a look..IM DEF TRYING IT!

Go to Sephora.com and search this :
Dermadoctor Total nonscents ultra-gentle brightening antiperspirant
Karen Says:

Try the baking soda before you try the Dermadoctor Tota nonscents ultra-gentle brightening antiperspriant. I bought a bottle at Sephora a couple of months ago and I still do not see a big difference. I ready to ditch the exspensive stuff and grab the baking soda.