FEBRUARY 2023 | 5 Minute Read
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Being a product developer for a deodorant company I get a lot of questions about underarms, especially after I started blogging about common, yet somewhat embarrassing armpit issues many people struggle with. To my surprise, I was getting numerous emails from customers asking me for advice on how to get rid of dark armpits fast. They wanted to find a natural but effective way to even out the skin tone in the area. This inspired me to create products that would help lighten dark underarms without any irritating or toxic ingredients. After researching I learned that dark armpits can be a result of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and that sometimes we’re responsible for making the discoloration worse.
In this article, I’m sharing all about the silent irritators that could be making your dark spot pigmentation worse and how most importantly, how to get rid of dark armpits fast!
Those who have melanin-rich skin are most likely to have darker armpits because of their skin type. However, there are many things that can trigger an overproduction of melanin and lead to discoloration on the skin. Sometimes dark armpits can be caused by hormonal imbalances, fungal and bacterial infections, and certain medications. However, there are some skin irritators that you may not know that are making your dark armpits worse.
Hair removal methods like waxing and shaving can cause inflammation and even rashes. The skin in the underarm region is incredibly delicate, so even though your skin may feel fine after shaving, shaving can cause micro-cuts and nicks in the underarm region. Shaving combined with irritating deodorants is a certain recipe for dark armpits. That is why I recommend shaving at night because if you shave in the morning and apply deodorant afterwards, you are applying product to broken skin. Shaving at night gives your underarms time to heal and calm down, before applying product to the area and will minimize irritation resulting in hyperpigmentation.
The friction and chafing from clothing can also irritate the underarms and cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and dark armpits. Wear light and breathable fabrics (such as cotton, linen, bamboo) or loose-fitting items.
A common ingredient in natural deodorants is baking soda. Baking soda is an alkaline substance, and if it mixes with an acid, it can alter the pH levels of your skin. Depending on your skin’s pH, your reaction to baking soda will differ – some will have mild reactions, while others will have more serious and extreme reactions. However, regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, baking soda is probably not wise when it comes to hyperpigmentation issues. The underarm skin folds into itself, resulting in rapid product absorption and possible irritation.
I like having a deodorant that has a light and pleasant smell. However, if you have sensitive skin using a deodorant with high levels of fragrance is not a good idea. It’s okay to have fragrance in your deodorant, BUT it must be in the product at very low levels. If fragrance is included on the ingredients list on your deodorant and it is not in the last two lines of the list, you can assume it’s included at high levels.
You can also simply do a sniff test to see how much fragrance is in your deodorant. If you open the lid and the scent is overpowering (sometimes you can already smell the deodorant with the lid on), you can assume the fragrance levels are far too high.
Some alcohols – found in antiperspirants, deodorants AND even natural deodorants – can be the culprit for irritation. So, even if you’re using natural deodorant, or are thinking of switching to natural deodorant, always check the ingredients to make sure it does not include traces of certain alcohols.
If you’re constantly irritating your underarms, the pigmentation issues will get worse. In order to get rid of dark armpits, you must first stop using anything or doing anything that irritates your underarms. Once you address the irritation and the inflammation you can start using a topical depigmenting agent to help lighten the discoloration.
For those who have melanin-rich skin and have this issue, I created the first underarm lightening system called the double dose that will help even out the dark armpit pigmentation faster. It’s a simple two-step system which includes a kojic acid body bar and a niacinamide deodorant.
When researching ingredients to use in these products I found that using a combination of kojic acid dipalmitate, licorice root extract, niacinamide, and alpha arbutin, were the most safe and effective at minimizing the discoloration and getting rid of dark armpits. However, I was told it was not a good idea to put all those ingredients in one product. That is why I created a wash-off formula and a leave-on product that lightens dark armpits fast.
First, use the takesumi kojic acid body bar daily in the shower. Lather it for 30 seconds in order to allow the actives to penetrate the skin and rinse off.
Follow the kojic acid bar with a generous layer the takesumi bright niacinamide deodorant.
It’s a simple yet convenient underarm skincare system because most people shower and use a deodorant on a daily basis.
It’s important to remember that how fast these products work depend on how dark your pigmentation is, how long you’ve had it and whether you are addressing what is causing the inflammation on your underarms. With some patience and with steady and consistent treatment you will easily get rid of dark armpits fast and your underarms will get lighter before you know it.
Everyday habits like shaving, wearing tight non-breathable clothing and using deodorants with irritating ingredients can be troublesome for someone who suffers from dark armpits. If you want to get rid of dark armpits fast, use my safe, natural and effective 2-step takesumi bright system: the brightening bar with kojic acid and the niacinamide deodorant. Your underarm troubles will soon be a thing of the past.
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.
Clean beauty industry maven and product developer Madame Sweat (Mary Futher) founded kaia naturals after spending 20 years working 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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