Not a few people think that dark armpits occur due to the habit of shaving armpit hair. In fact, dark armpits can be caused by various things. Therefore, the way to deal with it can be different.
The skin color of the armpits should be the same as the color of the skin on the rest of the body. However, in some people, the skin in the armpits can appear blackened. Dark armpit skin can make self-confidence decrease.
This is because black armpits are considered unsightly and disturbing appearance, especially when wearing clothes that do not cover the arms.tank top).
Some Causes of Black Armpits
There are several conditions that can cause dark underarms, including:
1. Armpit skin irritation
One of the most common causes of dark underarm skin is the frequent removal of armpit hair by shaving or plucking armpit hair.
This can make the skin easily irritated and trigger the production of melanocytes, which are cells that produce pigment or the skin’s natural color (melanin), in excess.
2. Bacterial infection
Dark underarm skin can also be caused by a bacterial infection Corynebacterium minutissimum. These bacteria usually thrive if a person sweats a lot, lives in a humid environment, doesn’t maintain proper hygiene, or suffers from certain health problems, such as diabetes and obesity.
3. Pregnancy
Some pregnant women can experience changes or skin disorders, and one of them is dark underarm skin. This is likely due to changes in pregnancy hormones that stimulate increased melanin production. Darkened skin color will usually fade within a few months after giving birth.
4. Acanthosis nigricans
Dark armpit skin can also be caused by a disease called acanthosis nigricans. People who have this condition will experience thickening of the skin and changes in skin color to become darker. The appearance is not only in the armpits, but also on the neck, face, body, stomach, arms, and around the groin.
Acanthosis nigricans It can be caused by several factors, such as:
If the appearance is getting heavier in a short time, acanthosis nigricans may be associated with cancer, such as stomach cancer and liver cancer.
How to get rid of dark underarms
To get rid of dark armpits, the cause of the appearance of dark armpits must be known first. If it is caused by a bacterial infection, then the use of antibiotics can be the solution.
In addition to medication, to help get rid of dark underarms, you can try the following tips:
Protects armpit skin so it doesn’t get irritated
If you frequently shave your armpits, try taking a warm shower first and using a shaving cream or gel when you’re about to shave so that your underarm skin doesn’t get irritated easily.
Also, if your underarm skin often gets irritated after using deodorant (antiperspirant), try changing your deodorant with an unscented type of deodorant or stop using deodorant for a while.
Using natural ingredients
Some natural ingredients are believed to be able to overcome blackened underarm skin. You can use a natural mask of cucumber, lemon, turmeric, coconut oil, or orange peel.
How to make an underarm mask from these various ingredients is quite easy. First, slice and soften or puree into juice the natural ingredients for removing dark underarms that you want to use. Then, attach the mask to the armpits. After that, wait for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Wearing clothes that absorb sweat
Excessive sweating can cause the underarm skin to become irritated. Hot temperatures and humidity in the armpit skin plus a lack of maintaining body hygiene can also make it easier for germs to thrive in the armpits. This can result in dark underarms.
To prevent this from happening, wear comfortable clothes that can absorb sweat, and don’t forget to take a shower whenever your body is sweaty or dirty.
For dark underarm skin caused by disease acanthosis nigricansthe treatment can be by treating the cause or root of the problem, for example if it is caused by obesity, then the treatment is to lose weight.
Meanwhile, dark underarms caused by hormonal disorders, can be overcome using drugs to improve hormone levels.
In addition, depending on the diagnosis, the doctor may also recommend the use of creams containing hydroquinone, tretinoin, corticosteroids, azaleic acid, AHA, or kojic acid, to treat dark underarms. Doctors can also suggest treatments with laser therapy and dermabrasion to treat dark underarm skin.
If dark underarms make you feel irritated or uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to consult a dermatologist, so that you can get the right treatment.
