When it comes to our armpits there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people choose to embrace their underarm hair, but others never miss a laser appointment. Some prefer antiperspirants over swiping on a natural deodorant stick. With all these differences, there’s also a difference in the way people approach hyperpigmentation, which is the technical term for darkened skin, on their underarms.
This is a natural (and very common) occurrence that can nonetheless leave some people distraught and looking for a solution, but others unbothered.
As they say: To each their own. We’re not ones to pass judgment.
So if you are looking to brighten the skin under your arms, you’ve undoubtedly come across a few time-lapse videos on TikTok or Instagram of quick, do-it-yourself armpit hacks. The common recipes feature sugar scrubs, coffee or lemon masks. But is any of that actually effective? We wanted to know.
So we turned to dermatologists to answer all our dark armpit questions.
Why do our armpits get dark?
According to dermatologist Sheel Desai Solomon, MD, dark skin in the underarm area is very common and can happen for a number of reasons. “Many people develop darkened pigmentation under their armpits similar to the darker skin on the knees, elbows, groin, neck, or underbelly,” she says. But just like many other skin conditions, darker pigmentation under the arms can also be genetic. People with darker skin are more likely to also experience darkened armpits and are, in general, more prone to hyperpigmentation, according to dermatologist Candrice Heath, MD.
Your overall health also plays a role in skin changes. For example, science has discovered a correlation between diabetes and skin pigmentation, with darkened armpits sometimes being an early sign of the condition. According to Dr. Solomon, “Studies have shown that people with diabetes have a higher propensity to be affected, as insulin can interfere with pigmentation in the skin.”
That’s not where these connections end though. Similarly, insulin imbalance can cause darkened skin in people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a disorder that affects the hormones and can ultimately cause an overgrowth of skin. In both cases, your darkened armpits might actually be a condition called acanthosis nigricans, and you should see a dermatologist for accurate diagnosis and relevant treatment.
On top of genetics and underlying health conditions, however, there are a few external factors that can cause darkening in the area as well. Antiperspirants and antiperspirants contain ingredients that can irritate the skin, and any irritation is basically microscopic damage. This in turn results in inflammation, which can lead to thickening — and darkening — of your skin over time. According to Dr. Solomon, this is because “Many antiperspirants use aluminum as an active ingredient. It clogs up sweat ducts and, in the process, irritates the skin.”
Other ingredients to keep an eye out for are alcohols and fragrances, both of which can be harsh for people with sensitive skin. Finally, another super overlooked source of irritation: your razor. Shaving, especially with a dull blade or on a dry skin – can cause the skin to thicken and darken over time.
How to get rid of dark underarms?
Both of the dermatologists we spoke to recommend natural home remedies to even out the skin on your armpits, but they both urge people to be cautious about the ingredients that they use.
“As a dermatologist, I usually see the disasters,” cautions Dr. Heath. “It’s like a YouTube video gone wrong.”
The biggest DIY mistake professionals see is when people over-exfoliate. While scrubbing with raw sugar might seem like a good idea (what could go wrong, right? It’s just sugar!), the experiment doesn’t always end well. Sugar often ends up to only further irritate the area, which causes more thickening – and in turn darkening – if you do it excessively. Dr. Solomon also advises staying away from harsh scrubs that you can buy in the stores, especially those that contain sharp-edged particles, because they can cause micro-abrasions.
Instead, these skincare professionals recommend DIY chemical exfoliation twice a week in the comfort of your own home.
“Take one tablespoon of lemon juice (which works as lightening agent), one tablespoon of aloe vera, and mix them together,” they say. “Apply this mixture on the armpits and leave for 10 minutes, then wash off normally.”
Solomon also notes that while this remedy includes lemon juice, you should always be very careful about using acidic ingredients in skin recipes in general. You can reduce their acidity as well, and hence make them less irritating.
For example, one way to do this is to mix citrus with gentle ingredients to balance its potency; when used alone it can aggravate sensitive skin and make it way more sensitive to the sun.
Solomon also recommends a cucumber and aloe vera mask to nourish the layers of thickened skin. “Silica [found in cucumber] stimulates the growth and preservation of the connective tissue in our skin,” she says. Additionally, “Aloe vera is rich in moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, and it contains the depigmenting element aloin.” The revitalizing properties from cucumber and aloe vera — both primarily made of water — work well to hydrate the skin too.
But what if nothing happens? Well in that case, Dr. Solomon suggests seeing a dermatologist to determine if you need a stronger, medical treatment, like a professional chemical peel or topical retinol creams. Those usually can’t be found in your refrigerator.
How can I prevent dark underarms?
Prevention is half the cure, as the popular doctor saying goes. When it comes to preventing dark underarms, it’s all about minimizing, or at lest avoiding irritation. It’s important to realize that the skin in your underarms is just as important as the skin on your face. It’s perhaps even more fragile.
So, if your armpits have sensitive skin, look for natural deodorants without added fragrances, perfumes, aluminum, or alcohols. If you are looking for an immediate solution, there are even tinted deodorants that temporarily conceal dark underarms while wicking away sweat. Before getting one of those though, best read the ingredients label.
Another suggestion is the more expensive route: laser hair removal. Removing armpit hair will also put an end to excessive sweating, and eliminate the need to shave and in turn incur abrasions and darkening to your skin.
However if a series of laser appointments is out of your budget, but you still want to remove the hair under your arms, you can rethink the way you shave. Of course, it’s important to moisturize your skin and hair with a shaving cream to reduce pulling and friction. You also want to avoid dull razor blades that require repeated passes, and make sure to shave in the direction of the hair growth. This is most often upward, so that you aren’t tugging at the follicle.
To conclude, dark armpits are very common, natural, and nothing out of the ordinary. If you want to brighten the area, the key is to remember that all your skin should be treated with care — including your armpits.
