Dark underarms are often a symptom of acanthosis nigricans. This skin disorder typically occurs in people who have an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or obesity. The dark color itself is not usually a cause for concern.
Dark underarms can happen due to a variety of things, from skin conditions like hyperpigmentation or ingrown hairs, excessive sun exposure, shaving with a razor, or even poor hygiene or diet. There are, however ways to treat and prevent dark underarms from ruining your summer plans.
You can rub lemon slices under your arms. Wait 10 minutes and then rinse the area with cool water and let dry. Another method involves mixing lemon juice with turmeric to make a paste for your underarms. Apply to your underarms and wait 30 minutes before washing off with cold water.
Darkened armpits are a common and perfectly natural occurrence. But if you feel uncomfortable wearing certain clothes because of them, then you can look into different treatments available to help you whiten your underarms for a more even complexion.
Underarm darkening can also be caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is rich in foods such as chicken, fish, milk, cheese, and eggs, which can help meet the demand.
Hormonal Disorders Can Lead to Dark Underarms
Hormones can also trigger armpit darkness. For example, abnormal levels of progesterone and estrogen can stimulate the excess production of melanin, which in turn, leads to increased skin pigment in sensitive areas (such as the armpits). This is known as melasma.
Vitamin D is an essential hormone synthesized in the skin and is responsible for skin pigmentation. Low levels of vitamin D have been observed in vitiligo patients and in patients with other autoimmune diseases.
A dark patch (or band) of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could mean that you have too much insulin in your blood. This is often a sign of prediabetes.
Sadly, dark underarms will not miraculously fade on their own. The only way you can fix the problem is if you address the root. So if your black armpits stem from excessive sweating, you need a good antiperspirant. If the culprit is excessive shaving or dryness, lessen shaving times and moisturize the area well.
Deodorants/Antiperspirants are frequently used to combat body odor, and aluminum salts, found in many antiperspirants, dry out the sweat but also clog up the pores, resulting in a darkening of the underarms.
A topical application of lightening creams containing ingredients such as arbutin, kojic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, hydroquinone, azelaic acid, retinoids, or glycolic acid can reduce discolouration of the underarms, Because the skin under your arms is sensitive, you don't want to use harsh ingredients.
Dove Even Tone Rejuvenating Blossom is perfect for helping to restore your natural underarm skin tone. This womens deodorant is enriched with ingredients that help to address uneven skin under arms.
Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade. If you're concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor before going on a diet. Doctors may prescribe creams or lotions that can help lighten the skin.
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.
Diabetic dermopathy
The spots look like red or brown round patches or lines in the skin and are common in people with diabetes. They appear on the front of your legs (your shins) and are often confused with age spots. The spots don't hurt, itch, or open up.
The underlying hormone responsible for triggering the melanocytes is melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). This hormone increases the production of melanin, which is responsible for darkening your skin.
The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].
As you age, the ability of the skin cells to produce melanin decreases. But existing skin cells increase in size and become more centralized. This dysregulation causes the skin's outer layer to have hyperpigmentation and uneven areas of dark spots.
Estrogen and progesterone are two of the major factors responsible for catamenial hyperpigmentation of the skin. Generally, the changes happen in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when the serum levels of sex hormones are at their peak.
Acanthosis nigricans is most commonly associated with diabetes and insulin resistance, but rarely it can be a sign of internal malignancy. It can also occur with hormone disorders or with the use of certain medications like systemic glucocorticoids and oral contraceptives.