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6 Reasons Why You Need An Underarm Care Routine

March 2022 | 5 Minute Read 

6 things most dont know about armpits

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I’ve been in the deodorant business for many years now and can say, without a doubt, armpits are complicated. I would argue they are one of the most complex areas on the body and surprisingly, also one of the most neglected areas when it comes to skin care. 

Well, if there’s one mission I have, it’s to encourage everyone to treat their armpits with care.

WHAT MAKES ARMPITS SO DIFFERENT?

When compared to the skin on your face or body, armpitsare incredibly unique. I like to think of them as a dark, damp, rainforest, full of little creatures (bacteria). Armpits differ in six main ways and understanding how they are different will help you manage the issues that can happen in this region.

Additionally, if you’re a natural deodorant user, you need to treat your armpits differently so that: a) your natural deodorant works and, b) you avoid issues such as excess odor, clogged pores, moisture rashes and ingrown hairs.

1. DELICATE SKIN & FOLDS

The skin on the armpits is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the body making them prone to trauma. The skin folds in this area also make it a suitable environment for bacterial growth and trapped moisture.

armpits sweat

2. SWEAT GLANDS

There are two types of sweat glands on the body: apocrine and eccrine. Apocrine glands are the ones found in the armpits, groin and scalp and are the ones that are responsible for excess sweat and odor.

3. ODOR-CAUSING BACTERIA

The underarm microbiome is unlike the rest of our skin and odor-causing bacteria lives (and thrives) in this environment. We can thank (or blame) these bacteria for excess odor.

4. HAIR FOLLICLES

The body is covered with hair follicles, however the ones found in the armpits are a part of the apocrine sweat glands. The hair in this area is much denser and coarser than the rest of the body. The skin in this area is also more prone to ingrown hairs.

5. TRAUMA FROM HAIR REMOVAL TECHNIQUES

I believe hair removal is a personal choice, but since many do choose to remove hair, the armpits experience a high degree of repeated “trauma” from shaving and other hair removal methods which leads to irritation and hyperpigmentation.

6. CHAFING AND FRICTION

This area is prone to chafing and friction and your clothing choices play an important role in the ability for your armpits to “breathe” throughout the day. This chafing and friction can lead to irritation, rashes and hyperpigmentation concerns.

For these reasons, underarm care is no joke and we must view them as an area that requires unique care in order to avoid underarm troubles.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ARMPITS

The first step to underarm care is to evaluate your own armpits and routine. What are you using as deodorant? What are the ingredients? Are you removing hair and if so, how? Are you prone to clogged pores? Everyone is different however these are ways I recommend you start caring for your armpits.

BEGIN EACH DAY WITH A PROPER CLEANSE

Since the majority of people apply deodorant on a daily basis, sometimes several times a day, underarm hair follicles are prone to clogging up with a deodorant residue, leading to trapped dead skin cells, blackheads and odor-causing bacteria.

The key to a proper routine is to begin your day with a thorough underarm cleanse, using my underarm bar. It’s specially formulated to:

  1. Remove deodorant residue and unclogs pores from deadskin cells thanks for the activated charcoal formula
  2. Kill odor-causing bacteria and leaves an anti-odor barrier using apple cider vinegar and sea salt

CHOOSE THE RIGHT NATURAL DEODORANT

There’s no shortage of natural deodorants out there, but finding the right one for you can seem like a never-ending quest. This is what I always recommend you look for when choosing your deodorant:

  1. Avoid comedogenic ingredients such as coconut oil
  2. Avoid highly irritating baking soda and high fragranced deodorants

I developed a non-comedogenic deodorant that is charcoal-based called the takesumi detox charcoal deodorant. It’s formulated without the previously mentioned ingredients to prevent blackheads, bumps, clogged pores and irritation. It’s formulated to be used in conjunction with the underarm bar as they will work together to keep your pores clear while neutralizing odor daily.

HAIR REMOVAL METHODS THAT REDUCE IRRITATION

I believe hair removal is a personal choice, but since many do choose to remove hair, the armpits experience a high degree of repeated “trauma” from shaving and other hair removal methods which leads to irritation and hyperpigmentation.

shaving armpits

If you are shaving, use a shave oil to form a protective barrier on the skin and shaving in the direction of hair growth. Also, never apply any products to the area immediately following your shave routine as this can cause irritation and hyperpigmentation. If you are waxing, minimize the number of times you wax over an area and be careful that the wax is not too hot as this can also cause hyperpigmentation.

TREAT HYPERPIGMENTATION WITH SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS

Hyperpigmentation in the underarm area is extremely common, yet there are few solutions on the market that address this issue. I developed the takesumi bright 2-step method as a gentle, safe and natural way to brighten dark armpits while controlling odor.

Start with the kojic acid brightening bar in the shower. Formulated with licorice root extract and kojic acid, it works in conjuction with the niacinamide brightening deodorant to minimize dark spot pigmentation in the underarms more quickly.

Remember that your armpits are incredibly delicate and should be treated as such during your body care routine. Following these tips will help minimize the skin issues that can oftentimes occur and lead to odor-free, comfortable armpits. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via Instagram or TikTok!

All content found on this website is created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. 

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@madamesweat

Clean beauty industry maven and product developer Madame Sweat (Mary Futher) founded kaia naturals after spending 20 yearsworking for global beauty companies. She now shares advice on modern hygiene etiquette for grooming, hosting, home and travel on Instagram, TikTok and her popular blog called The House of Hygiene.

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Each week on my blog The Little Book of Human Discomforts I share clever solutions for seemingly embarrassing skin, body, and hair issues. Consider subscribing below to be the first to know when new content is live! I also share lots of body and skincare tips on Instagram @kaianaturals and on my TikTok page @madamesweat.

All content found on this website is created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. 

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