Shaving or plucking underarm hair too often may cause dark underarms, so moisturizing can be helpful to reduce underarm irritation. Always use a soap or shaving foam before shaving, and choose one for sensitive skin.
The hair under our arms grows in all directions, so shaving in one direction might not result in a close shave. For best results, lift your arm above your head, press gently down on the razor and shave lightly in short strokes in all directions — downward, sideways and back upward, if needed.
Acanthosis nigricans is the name for dry, dark patches of skin that usually appear in the armpits, neck or groin. It could be a sign of an underlying condition, so it needs to be checked by a GP.
For those that like the feel of smooth, hairless arms, shaving will be beneficial. Because hair holds onto moisture, shaving your armpits may result in less sweating, or at least less noticeable sweating (sweat rings on your shirt sleeves, for example). Shaving may also cut down on the odor associated with sweat.
Wet your skin before you start shaving because your underarm hair is sensitive, and moisture helps open pores and soften your skin. Try shaving in the shower. This will help soften your skin to avoid cuts or nicks.
Although the results are fairly similar, there's one key difference: how long they last. On average, waxing lasts around 3 or 4 weeks because the hair is removed at the root. Hair grows back much faster with shaving, though — within 3 days to a week. This is because shaving only removes the top layer of the hair.
"It's safe to shave your legs, bikini area, and armpits every day if necessary," says Francesca Fusco, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. "It's not unhealthy, it just needs to be done properly." So, in short: It comes down to your personal preference and the routine you like to keep.
Your underarms can become irritated because of the repeated movements of the razor. This causes an excess melanocyte production, which is the pigment that makes your underarm are appear darker. Minimize excessive shaving or try out waxing your underarms, this also helps to get rid of dead skin cells.
Found in almost every household, baking soda is the best thing to lighten underarms. All you need to do is mix baking soda with water to make a thick paste. Now, apply this paste to scrub your underarms twice a week and scrub the underarms. After you are done scrubbing, just wash the mixture off and pat dry the area.
Not shaving reduces skin-on-skin contact friction, which means when you do activities that involve arm movement, like running or walking, your skin is much less likely to get irritated by the friction. This might lead to fewer skin issues like rashes and ingrown hairs.
Less body odor
When you remove hair under the armpits, it reduces trapped odor. A 2016 study involving men found that removing armpit hair by shaving significantly reduced axillary odor for the following 24 hours. Similar results were first found in a 1953 paper .
No — shaving hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth. Shaving facial or body hair gives the hair a blunt tip. The tip might feel coarse or "stubbly" for a time as it grows out. During this phase, the hair might be more noticeable and perhaps appear darker or thicker.
2.2 Helps reduce friction Armpit hair also helps prevent skin-to-skin contact when you do certain activities, such as walking or jogging. The same goes for pubic hair, as they help reduce friction during sex and other activities.
The first step to any successful shave is preparing yourself with the right tools and aftercare, and the same applies when shaving underarms. Using deodorant after shaving can be a great addition to your care routine to help keep underarms comfortable and fresh.
Why hair removal creams are better? Unlike razor hair removal, which severs the hair at the skin level, using a depilatory cream (more commonly known as hair removal cream) lasts days longer and causes hair to grow back softer than shaving.
Most armpit hair usually only grows to be two to three inches long, so an inch and a half should do the trick. If you cut it too short, then you'll have armpit stubble in two of the most sensitive parts of your body.
You probably don't need to shave every day. Razors don't just cut off your hair, they take a layer of skin cells with it every time you run the blade across your skin. Unless you're looking to achieve a completely hairless look, you can skip at least a day or two between shaving sessions to allow your skin to heal.
In general, we recommend shaving every two to three days if you want a clean shave; three to five days if you want to simply style or trim; and if you want to just let your hair grow, then simply stop shaving.
Studies have found the difference in the smell of regularly shaven pits compared to hairy ones is minimal at best. That's because our sweat is actually odourless and it's the bacteria it comes into contact with that causes a nasty smell. If you keep your pits nice and clean, then you shouldn't have a problem.
Smelly armpits occur when bacteria break down the otherwise odorless sweat on your skin. Some people sweat more than others and have a condition called hyperhidrosis. This excess sweating can lead to body odor. While it might cause people to be self-conscious, there are many solutions that can help.
The research shows that body hair by itself is not a cause of bad body odor. But everyone is unique. Some guys report smelling better after their shave their armpits, body hair, or pubes. They feel that it makes them sweat less and smell better.
There's no set time for girls to begin shaving. You can start shaving when you feel you have enough hair growth on your legs and/or armpits to shave it off.
Armpit Hair Protects Your Skin
In the case of your underarms, it helps reduce skin-on-skin friction when you swing your arms as you walk or run. Armpit hair can save you from unnecessary chafing, irritation, or even heat rash, which can happen when sweat and abrasion mix.