How to Get Rid of Dark Armpits

Edited by EuropeanWaxCenter, Carolyn Barratt, BR, DifuWu and 32 others

Two Methods:Home RemediesMedical Remedies

If you've trashed all your tank tops and keep covered up because of dark armpits, you don't
have to stay that way. In this article, you'll learn both home-based or medical ways to restore
your underarm confidence.
Method 1 of 2: Home Remedies

1.

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 Try a natural bleaching agent. The acidic, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties in some
vegetables and fruits allow them to lighten the skin naturally. Potatoes, cucumbers and lemons
are three that can help eliminate dark skin under the arms.

o Potato - Thinly slice a potato and rub a slice on the dark area. Or, you can grate
some of the potato to release the "juice." Apply this juice to your underarms, let it dry 10 minutes
and rinse.
o Cucumber - Just as you did with the potato, you can rub cucumber slices on the
affected area or grate some of the cuke and use the juice. You can go a step further and add a
few drops of lemon juice and some turmeric (enough to make a paste) to the cucumber juice.
Apply the paste, wait a half hour and wash off.
o Lemon - Rub a thick slice of lemon on the dark area; the fruit will remove dead
skin cells and lighten the skin. Follow-up by washing and, if necessary, applying moisturizer.
(With continued use, lemons can dry out the skin). Add a small amount of tumeric, plain yogurt
or honey to lemon juice to make a paste that can be left on for 10 minutes and then rinsed
clean.
o Egg oil - Gently massage egg oil on the dark area and leave on overnight; the
omega-3 in egg oil promote re-epithelisation (new skin cells) which make the skin smooth and
light. Wash in the morning with a pH balanced soap or body wash.

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Moisturise. The single most important thing you can do to prevent or treat dark underarms is to
moisturize the area at least twice a day. Prefer to use natural moisturisers like aloe vera, lecithin
etc.
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Exfoliate. Dark underarms may be caused by dead skin cells that have accumulated there, so
exfoliating can reduce the dark appearance of the skin.

o Sugar - Mix a cup of brown sugar with 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil. Apply to wet
skin for a minute or two during a shower or bath and rinse. Try using the mixture twice a week
when you bathe.
o Baking soda - Make a thick baking soda-and-water paste to use as a scrub.
After scrubbing, rinsing and drying the area, you can apply a dusting of baking powder to the
skin to give it a lighter appearance.
 o Baking soda and rosewater - Make a somewhat thick paste of baking soda and
rose water. Apply to the underarm area, then wash off with warm water. Dry your arms. Do this
until you see lightening of armpits.
o Orange - Peel an orange and put the peels out in the sun to dry. Grind the peels
to form a powder and make a paste by adding rose water and milk. Scrub your underarms with
the paste for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dead skin cells and rinse with cold water.
o Pumice stone - Gently remove dead skin cells from under your arms with the
use of a pumice stone. This light-weight, abrasive volcanic rock is sold in drug stores and
beauty supply stores. Wet the stone thoroughly and gently scrub the underarm area.

4
 Try a liquid treatment. Open your refrigerator or kitchen cupboard to find remedies that can not
only lighten dark underarms but make the skin softer and fresher

o Milk - It's the vitamins and fatty acids in milk that make it effective in lightening
dark skin. Create a paste of two tbsp. milk, one tsp. curd and one tbsp. flour. Apply to the skin,
let sit for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water. Skin should be softer and free of dead skin cells,
which will make the area look much lighter. You can get even better results with full fat milk
cream.
o Vinegar - For a lighter look and germ-free, sweet-smelling skin, mix vinegar with
rice flour to form a paste. Take a hot shower and then apply the paste to the underarms, let dry
for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
o Coconut oil - The Vitamin E in coconut oil can help lighten dark skin over time,
so for best results it should be used daily or every other day. Before bathing, massage the oil
into the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with a mild soap and lukewarm water. Another benefit
of coconut oil--it's a natural deodorant.
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Make a whitening pack. If you're willing to commit to a frequent treatment regimen, you can try
a natural whitening pack made from gram flour (also known a chickpea flour). Mix the flour with
yogurt, lemon and a little turmeric to form a thick paste. Apply and leave in place for at least 30
minutes before rinsing with warm water. Apply this whitening paste daily for two weeks and then
three times a week to speed up the whitening effect.
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Skip shaving and start waxing. Dark underarms may be caused by thick hair under the skin
due to shaving. Because waxing removes hair at the root, it may leave the area lighter and the
skin softer.

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 Skip deodorizers. The strong antiperspirant chemicals of deodorizers (deodorants) often
darken underarms by an inflammatory response. Very few people actually have a problem with
body odor and most do not need the widely advertised deodorizers.

Method 2 of 2: Medical Remedies

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Check with your doctor. Home remedies may not help with dark underarms if you're suffering
from a condition known as acanthosis nigricans, a skin disorder that results in velvety, light-
brown-to-black markings in areas that include the armpits.

o This condition can occur as a result of obesity or an endocrine (glandular)

disorder. It is frequently found in people with diabetes or a tendency towards diabetes and is
most common among people of African descent. [1]
o Other possible causes of acanthosis nigricans include Addison's disease,
pituitary gland disorders, growth hormone therapy, hypothyroidism or the use of oral
contraceptives. [2]
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Change your diet. If your condition is diabetes related, modifying your diet to restrict starches
and sugars may help.
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3
Stop taking the pill. If oral contraceptives are at the source of your skin condition, you can try
switching to a different form of birth control to see if the condition improves once the medication
is stopped.
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Get a prescription. Retin-A, 20% urea, alpha hydroxyacids, and salicylic acid prescriptions
may help, but they've been found to be only minimally effective. [3]

o The most widely used ingredient in skin lighteners sold in the U.S. is
hydroquinone, which is regulated by the FDA. Dermatologists can write prescriptions for
lighteners that contain up to 4% hydroquinone. Over-the-counter skin lighteners can contain no
more than 2% hydroquinone.[4] Always check with your doctor before using a product that
contains hydroquinone.
o Use skin lighteners sold by trusted brands. Although the FDA banned the use of
mercury in skin lightening products in the U.S. in 1990, lightening creams that contain this toxic
 metal have been found here. These products were manufactured in other countries but sold in
stores in the U.S., so read labels very carefully when shopping for this product. [5]

5
Stop electrolysis. All women, but especially those with dark skin run the risk of
hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) when they use electrolysis for hair removal. [6] If you've been
having electrolysis treatments to remove the underarm hair, stopping the treatment should stop
more discoloration from occurring.