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:
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.
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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.
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)
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
i like babe’s armpits.i dont know if it is bad thing or not .i want somebody to explain me
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!
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.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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..
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
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.
how do i get rid of dark armpits?
well im 14yrs old and my armpits are really dark.. i just started highschool, and a lot of girls wear tanktops and show off there armpits and they r really pretty nd i feel very self concious…plz help me…my dad has diabetes and im afraid that i mite have it bcuz i read all the comments and sum1 said that its bcuz of that sooo PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!
HEY EVERYBODY, I hav dark armpits and the Dr said that it was my diet, any way I’ve tried leaving baking soda on my armpits and did that every weekend for about two to three months and it didn’t work for crap. And my aunt gave me a skin lightening soap, that didn’t work either.
HII:)IM DIANA I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE LIKE I WAS 10 AND KNOW IM 20 FIRST IT WAS MY NECK THEM MY ARMPITS THEN BETWEEN MY LEGS KNOW UNDER MY BELLY ON MY ANKLES ON MY ELBOWS EVEERYWHERE..! I HAVE TRIED EVERYHTING IT IS REALLY IMBERRASING TO ME MY MOM TOLED ME ITS BECAUSE I MIGHT HAVE DIABETES BUT I STILL DONT KNOW AND I AM SO SCARED I DONT KNOW WAS TOO DOO..I HAVE NOT WORNE DRESSES SINCE FOREVER ALSO NO TANKTOPS NOTHING BUT T-SHIRTS AND LONG SLEEVES NO SHORTS JUST JENES. I AM SO IMBERRASED FOR SOME OF MY FRIENDS TOO NOTICE. I HAVE ONLY SEEN LIKE 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM I TAKE A SHOWER EVERY DAY I CLEAN MY NECK AND EVERYTHING ELSE REAL GOOD BUT IT WONT COME OFF I GET OUT ALL RED FOR HOW HARD I WANT IT TOO COME OFF.!I WANT TO KNOW IF THEIR IS SOMETHING TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN WITH MY BOYFRIEND FOR 3 YEARS AND HE HAS ASKED ME TOO DO IT ALLLREADY BUT IM TOO AFRAID.AND I AM SCARED TO DO SOMETHING WITH HIM AND THEN REJECT ME FOR THINKING I AM DIRTY.. I STILL HAVENT HAD SEX BECAUSE OF THAT WOW..I KNOW I NEED HELP FAST IF SOMEONES KNOWS WAT TO DOO TELL ME PLZZ!
It’s quite discomforting when you feel you have an issue and there seems to be no cure or even no plausible answer as to why or how.
For most people it isn’t a deodorant/hygiene issue and if it is, it would most likely go away once properly cleansed/exfoliated etc. For others, the issue is because of hereditary genes, how the body works as it ages or through puberty or even when they get pregnant.
I saw a doctor, it’s actually considered “normal” and the doc actually said that uneven skin tone is more common in men than women..though i agree people should do a blood test and check if their insulin levels or if they have diabetes. because that’s an influencing factor. So possibly weight loss will help lessen the severity of how it looks.
I was also reading that it might be a symptom of PCOS.
I think the best thing we can do, is make sure our overall health is good. If there is no health issue then there is not much you can do. maybe a doc can recommend a skin lightener however i’ve read they burn the skin and are not good in the long run. there are cosmetics that can cover up but off course they’re not permanent.
i’m 14 and i suffer from darkened armpits. i’ve had them for maybe a year or so. it drives me crazy so if i wear tanktops i keep a jacket on all day. i’m the most hygenic person ever, you have no idea. i shower everyday. i brush my teeth twice a day. i walk around in socks all day so my feet don’t get dirty on the floors in our house. i wash my hands from 5-10 times a day. i am very clean, but i’m still plagued with dark armpits. i have a guy in mind so i’m now even more enthusiastic to get rid of this. i’m gonna try the baking soda and lemon thing and i’ll go from there.
my daughter was 15 when she noticed dark sports on her belly and armpits. The Dr. said it was a fungus that could be solved by using selsum blue on the areas and leave it on for 20 minutes before you shower. then gave her an anti fungal cream to put on. The belly spot went away but the arm pits got a little better but now coming back. we’re trying it again…
I had black arm pits and I was told I had perasites and I took ati fungal and perasite remedys and supplements that cuntained carlic, wormwood,cloves and black wallnut ect.
any thing that controle candida too like no sugar diet and low carbs, pro-biotics and raw vegy’s, no fruits and caprilic asid they have lightened up but not conplitely also my low energy is gone
and I sleep alote better too. I started doing this a month ago it’s working but rather slow, but you know my under arms did not get dark over night it took years so I’m going to do this as long as it’s giving me results even if it’s taking this long. Inform yourself about perasits and how they get in your body and how it has to do with cadida yeast infection geting all wild in side. It is very dangerus if you stop eating some things with out consulting your Dr.or a specialist on health and diets specially if you have health probloms,
don’t take any supplements if taking any prescribed meds unless you ask you’r Dr.
hope this works for you too. good luck!
I started using adidas cotton-tech deodorant and it took the dark spots away after one bar of it. I just found out they discontinued it, but I think dark underarms are caused by the harsh chemicals in deodorants. Adidas cotton tech deodorant did not contain alluminum and it actually worked. If you can find it, you will probably see a change your armpits. Good luck!
curd(plain yogurt), lemon, little bit of termeric and gram floor, mix them up together and it is definatly work wonders, i hv tried it and it works
Peace
well my name is gaby i’m 15 yrs old iand i’m soo embarressed of wereing spaggeti strapes strapless shirts or any shirt that shows my under arm.i haven’t had a sweet 15 because i want my under arm to be clean and normal. i wonder if there is any product i could buy because my mom isn’t that kind of person that cares.soo i would prefer you can suggust a product to me. and i would be able to try it.thank for your time…
Gaby
My airpits have been dark for years i can remember being 12 and having my grandma srub my neck till it was raw cus the dirt wouldn’t come off. Also my airpits are so bad and itchy it sucks hard. My Father and sister both have it but we all are over weight so over the years we have all got different reactions due to our age and blood tests later other then being overweight our blood work is fine. I’m going to a new doc to gave my dad and i Retin-A for it. I just started on it but my dad has been using it longer then i and his neck looks a lot better. I just hate that everywhere you read on this it says there is no cure.
btw long time fan of this blog and oddly enough i was just looking up what i could find about dark armpits on the interweb this was the first site to pop up so it made me all sorts of happy inside Also kinda happy to see i’m not the only one here.
So are we all saying there is a cure or there isn’t? I just want to know which is the one that works the best! Please let me know, thanks!
i have dark armpit too….since i have ahmm so irritated and not comfortable…
im shy to wear sleeveless shirt…can you help me what i should do..for this an irritated problem….wish u can help…me…im waiting for a solution
tnxxxn..(^_^)
i have tried baking soda and it works!! you just mix water and baking soda and apply. what ever you do, dont keep it under there for long. just take a rag, rub on the dark space and thats all.
My daughter has hypothyroid and is 13. I just noticed the dark spots under her arms and between the legs. I’m going to try the baking soda tonight and let ya all know how it goes. (of course it will take a few tries)
Hey u ppl, u can try doing tis.
First gently scrub te armpit areas wit either a mix of gram flour, lemon, little turmeric and curd (or) rice flour, curd n turmeric. Te gram flour n rice floue are goot scrubs- removes dead skin cells n lighten dark spots gradually.
Second take a lemon cut it into 2 halves dab it into sugar and rub little coarsely on te darkened areas( can be used on other dark areas like elbows, knee caps etc.)
Third instead of using bleachin agents, try a mix of honey and lemon as they have excellent natural bleaching properties. Apply on the armpits n wash off after 20 minutes.
Te last use a gentle moisturiser at night or apply olive oil onto te arm pits n leave it on for te nights. It ll leave ur underarms soft and supple n friction free. be sure to use a good moisturizing soap and wash off well in te morning.
Te bakin soda works too:)
How about a post on eyelid hyperpigmentation? I think I got it from this irritating vitamin C eye cream I tried a while back. Though I have dark stained pits now, too. And melasma. I read a perspective recently in my internet travels that suggested all hyperpigmentation, irritant or UV induced (including melasma) may have the same underlying mechanism, involving an inflammatory response. Whatever it is, my skin seems to be doing it.
I have had this problem for years, and I can honestly say that if you are overweight it is going to remain there no matter what you do. I started running last year and started shedding pounds. I noticed the discoloration under my arms was fading away. It was my weight that was the problem. Although my underarms are not perfect, they are way better than they use to be and I can now where sleevless dresses and tank tops. For me there was a cure, and it was weight loss.