How to Lighten Dark Underarms

Dark underarms are embarrassing. It happens when the skin is exposed with chemicals like deodorants with whitening properties as promised or constant friction of clothes, or because of a medical condition called Acanthosis Nigricans which is often the result of insulin resistance, obesity, certain medications and hormonal disorders. Other causes of dark underarms are shaving, accumulation of dead skin cells, too much scrubbing, and regular use of removal hair creams. If you are still doing any of this, do stop because they are so bad for our underarms.

Here are tips to help lighten the dark underarms:

1. Remove the hair at its roots. The hair is one culprit that makes the underarms look darker. By removing the hair from its roots, it would take time for the hair to grow. It's the subtle hair peeking through will seem look like a shadow. I would not suggest to tweeze because it will lead looking like chicken skin (Have you seen a chicken's skin when its feathers are plucked?) A waxing kit or an epilator (electric hair removing device) are excellent ways to remove the hair and keep underarms look and feel smooth. Waxing the underarms also helps in exfoliating. An epilator may look and sound scary at first, but you will soon get the hang of it and remove unwanted hair with breeze!
2. Exfoliate. Like how we exfoliate our face, our underarms also need a nice exfoliation. With regular exfoliating it removes dead skin cells. Make a paste mixing a tablespoon of baking soda and water. Gently scrub in circular motion.
3. Make your own natural deodorant. There are recipes online on how to make one at home. It is healthier for our body because we know what's really in it and what we put on our body. I've tried one deodorant and just days after using the product, I felt a slight pain on my lower back. I soon felt a little weak and I knew why it was happening and I threw the deodorant immediately. Eating a healthy diet and drinking lots of water will also help keep the body odor at minimal.
3. Use safe and natural whitening soaps and creams. There are creams and soaps out there that will help lighten underarms with regular use. There are only, however, some are high in Mercury which are bad for the body or parabens or aluminum in it. Please see to it it is safe and organic. Do a patch test first to see if you are allergic to its ingredients. If rashes occur, let it heal on its own. If it feels itchy, do NOT scratch... ever!
4. Peeling oil. This is the kind of oil that helps peel the 'old' skin and reveals fresh skin underneath. Most women I know use it for their body. Pour some oil on a cotton pad and apply it on dark areas for 3days (depends on the instruction sheet) you wish to get rid of the body such as the underarms. Wait for the skin to peel on its own. Do NOT pull the 'old' skin while it is peeling. If in case you feel itchy, do NOT scratch it. Let the skin heal.
5. Underarm Detox. The skin is the largest part of the body. Like our organs, we detox when we feel like we had a lot of consumption of junk food. Detoxing our underarms is a breather from the toxic we apply on our underarms from conventional deodorants. Imagine all those years of chemicals we put on our armpits! Most people say they noticed less odor and less sweating.

   Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons of water

  Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a glass bowl (do not use metal) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until smooth.
2. Spread an even layer over the armpits and let it sit for 5-20minutes. Start slow and let your body adjust till you can let it sit it for a longer period. If it hurts or painful on your skin, remove immediately.
3. It will cause redness because of an increase of blood flow to the area, but it will go away. Wash it off with warm water in the shower.
4. Do this daily or as needed until the underarm odor goes away and has adjusted to the natural deodorant.

   ***Drink plenty of water to help stimulate the cleansing process.


Below are natural whitening skin ingredients you can find in your kitchen. These have natural lightening properties that can also help with the dark armpits.

1. Apply lemon juice on your underarms for 15minutes and wash off.
2. The potato has a lightening enzyme called catecholase. Rub a potato slice on your underarms and let it sit for 15minutes and wash with warm water.
3. Mix sandalwood powder and rose water to make a paste. Spread on the underarms for 15minutes and let it dry. Wash it off with soap and water.
4. Make a paste using gram flour (chickpea flour), plain yogurt, lemon and turmeric. Leave it for 30minutes on your armpits and wash off with warm water.
5. Apply coconut oil on the area before shower. Leave in for 15 minutes. The coconut oil has Vitamin E to help lighten the underarm. It is also a natural deodorant as well.

Lightening the skin takes time. Do not overdo these because it could cause more harm than good. Be patient. You'll be raising your arms with confidence in no time!

xoxo,
Chloe