Although not always visible, dark underarms can interfere with self-confidence, especially in women. During this time, many think that dark underarms occur due to the habit of shaving armpits. Though dark armpits can be caused by various things. Therefore, there are different ways of dealing with it.
The skin color of the armpits should be the same as the color of the skin on the rest of the body. But in some people, the skin in the armpits can appear blackened.
now, this dark underarm skin can make some people, especially women, become insecure. This is because dark 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 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 irritate the skin easily and trigger excessive melanocyte production. Melanocytes are cells that produce pigment or the skin's natural color (melanin).
2. Bacterial infection
Dark underarms can be caused by a bacterial infection Corynebacterium minutissimum. These bacteria usually thrive if you sweat a lot, live in a humid environment, don't keep your body clean, or suffer from certain diseases, 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 This can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Overweight or obesity.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Hormonal disorders, such as in thyroid disease, Cushing's syndrome, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Side effects of medicines that can affect hormones, such as birth control pills and corticosteroids.
If the appearance is getting heavier in a short time, then 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, first of all it must be known what is the cause of the appearance of dark armpits. If it is caused by a bacterial infection, then the use of antibiotics can be the solution.
In addition to treatment, to help get rid of dark underarms, try the following tips:
Prevent armpit skin irritation
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.
If your underarm skin is often irritated after using deodorant (antiperspirant), try changing your deodorant with an unscented type of deodorant or stop using deodorant for a while.
Use 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 is quite easy. First, the ingredients are sliced, softened, or made into juice, and then applied to the armpits. After that, wait until a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.
Wear 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. As a result, underarm skin can turn black.
To prevent this from happening, wear comfortable clothes that can absorb sweat, and don't forget to shower whenever your body is sweaty or dirty.
For dark underarm skin caused by disease acanthosis nigricans, the 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. For dark underarms caused by hormonal disorders, drugs can be used 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. In addition to medication, treatment with laser therapy and dermabrasion can also be an option.
If dark underarms make you feel irritated or uncomfortable, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist, so that appropriate treatment can be given.