Underarms is probably the most problematic part of a woman's body. This is because it usually is plagued with various issues like dark skin, body odor, skin tags and many more. That is why it is not surprising to see that some of the most searched questions online include how to remove skin tag underarms or how to lighten dark underarms.

Well, you have come to the right place. We have written this article to help you solve all your underarm problems but let us begin with the most common problem of all-dark underarms. If you wish to finally get smoother, more flawless and whiter underarms, continue reading!

What Causes Dark Patches in Underarms?

First things first, we need to understand the root cause of the problem for us to determine which is the best treatment for this dilemma. As it turns out, dark underarms may be caused by a wide array of factors. These are as follows:

Excessive Sweating

Too much sweat may promote the growth of bacteria in the skin which may cause darkening. That is why you should always use deodorant. However, too much deodorant may also cause darkening so make sure to use it in moderation.

Shaving

This is one method of hair removal that can cause skin darkening. When you shave, you are not able to remove the hair from its roots. When the root is not fully removed, it causes excessive erosion of the skin which causes darkening.

Wearing Synthetic Clothes

Are you fond of wearing too tight clothes that are made of synthetic fabrics? If so, then that may be the reason why you have dark underarms. These types of clothes do not absorb sweat. As a result, bacteria and sweat accumulate on the skin which causes the darkening of the skin.

Genes

If your parent, sibling or any other relative has dark patches in their underarms, it is most likely that you will have them too. In addition to that, races that have darker skin color are also said to have increased of developing dark patches in their underarms.

Medication

Certain medications that have been formulated to increase the insulin levels in the body may also increase the risk of underarm darkening. These medications include insulin, corticosteroids, niacin (in high doses), birth control pills and human growth hormone.

How to Lighten Dark Underarms

A lot of women are asking how to remove dark patches from underarms instantly. Before, there is no effective way to lighten dark underarms immediately. But thanks to science (and the never-ending pursuit of women to find the solution to this problem), various methods have surfaced. There are some of them:

Home remedies 

Of course, there is always a home remedy for every skin problem. The most common home remedy of all is lemon. Lemon is a natural bleaching agent. It is also an antiseptic and antibacterial agent, so it can help in dealing with body odors too.

Cut your lemon into wedges and rub it into your underarms for a few minutes. Let it stay for 10 minutes before washing it off. Do this every day before you take a bath.

Keep in mind though that lemon juice tends to dry the skin. That is why you should not forget to apply moisturizer to your underarm from time to time.

Skin Lightening Creams 

Today, there are skin care products that are marketed to help lighten the skin tone. These are usually called as skin bleaching agents or skin lighteners. When choosing a product, opt for ones that contain effective bleaching ingredients like retinoids, hydroquinone, and corticosteroids.

But please be reminded that these products should not be used for more than 6 months. You will be happy to know, though, that most of these products deliver noticeable results within just a few weeks.

Chemical Peel

This treatment uses acid solution in removing the darkened and damaged layers of the skin. This solution is used in exfoliating dead skin cells which can reveal a whiter layer of skin underneath. Aside from being whiter, the new layer of skin is also more even and has a smoother texture.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser treatments are no longer just for diminishing wrinkles, fine lines or other signs of aging. These treatments are also effective in addressing sun spots, age spots, hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration. This method uses concentrated beams of light energy in removing the darkened layers of the skin. While this procedure can be quite costly, the best thing about it is that it can deliver results without any downtime.

How to Prevent Dark Underarms

Same with all things, prevention is always better than cure so you will surely be happy to know that there are ways on how you can prevent the darkening of your underarms. Here they are:

Stop shaving.

As mentioned above, shaving may cause skin darkening. That is why it is about time that you try out other common methods of laser hair removal. A cost-effective option is waxing, but this method may also not be able to completely remove all hairs. We also have laser hair removal which is more efficient and time-saving. Not to mention the fact that the laser treatment can also remove unwanted hair for good. However, it can also be more costly for some.

Use deodorant in moderation.

Although there are only a few studies about this, some experts think that deodorants contain some chemicals that may interact with the melanin in the skin, causing the skin to darken. That is why you should lie low in using your deodorant to prevent this unwanted effect.

Smooth, white, and soft underarms-that is what all women want to have. But unfortunately, not all of us have been blessed with it. Lucky for you, there are plenty of ways on how to remove dark patches from the skin. We hope that you will be able to find the one that would best suit your needs from the list that we have provided above!