It’s the perfect season to wear your favourite strappy, off-shoulder, and halter neck fits. But if you’ve shoved all your fun summer outfits in the back of the closet because of dark underarms, you’re not alone. The discolouration is not fun and forces most of us to wear clothes with long sleeves even in the scorching sun. Even though dark underarms should not be stopping us from wearing the clothes we love, we grow up with these biases in our minds and it’s difficult for a lot of women to let them go. Before we talk about home remedies for dark underarms, let’s understand what causes this discolouration.
Causes of dark underarms
1. Chemicals in deodorants
Most deodorants and antiperspirants have chemical irritants and a high amount of alcohol in them. And when they come in contact with the skin, they can cause reactions that lead to irritation and discolouration. Therefore, it is better to stay away from these or at least not spray them directly on your skin.
2. Dead skin cells
How often do you really exfoliate your underarms? If you’re unsure of the answer, it is because nobody really pays attention to exfoliating the armpits. This often leads to the accumulation of dead skin cells that cause the darkening of the underarms.
3. Friction with tight clothes
Synthetic clothes can often irritate the skin as they barely leave any breathing space and lead to excess sweating. Your skin can react to the cloth causing it to appear discoloured and inflamed. Wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing ensures ventilation and keeps your pits happy.
4. Hormonal issues
Having hormonal issues or issues like diabetes and obesity can lead to a condition called acanthosis nigricans which is a skin pigmentation disorder. This can cause the skin to have an odour or feel irritated and leaves it discoloured.
5. Shaving
If you think shaving leads to darker hair growth and that causes dark armpits, you’re wrong. Shaving your underarms actually removes the topmost layer of the hair leaving your skin open to perspiration, dust, and more. This can lead to abrasions on the skin which can cause irritation and leave the skin inflamed and pigmented.
Home remedies for dark underarms
Now that we know the main causes, let’s move on to some effective and natural home remedies for dark underarms. You can easily find most of the ingredients in your kitchen, so these remedies are quite budget-friendly.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes are a natural bleaching agent and tend to work on pigmented skin and lighten it. All you have to do is grate a potato and squeeze its juice into a bowl. Now, take a cotton ball and rub the juice all over your armpits and let it stay for about 10 minutes. Rinse them with cool water, pat dry, and repeat it three times a week for best results.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is the OG when it comes to any and all skin concerns. So, if you’re looking for effective home remedies for dark underarms, you’ve got to try this. Take 5 drops of tea tree oil, mix it with 250 ml water, and 5 drops of any carrier oil, and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture generously on your underarms and let it dry naturally. Wash it off or take a shower and repeat it twice a week.
3. Turmeric
What’s better than a desi nuskha that involves some good old turmeric? Since it has antibacterial and skin-lightening properties, you can use it on your underarms. Take 1 tbsp each of turmeric powder, honey, and yoghurt, and mix well. Apply this paste and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes, till it dries off. Take a wet washcloth, wipe it off, and repeat once a week.
4. Lemon
Lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent and has Vitamin C in it which has brightening properties. All you need to do is cut one lemon into small wedges and rub it gently on your underarms. This will help in exfoliating and removing dead cells from the skin. Let it stay for 10 minutes and wash it off with cold water. But since lemon is acidic in nature, do a patch test on your arm to see if it causes any irritation. Repeat this once a week for the best results.
5. Orange
Just like lemon, orange is full of Vitamin C and is a great home remedy for dark underarms. Take 1 tbsp each of milk, powdered orange peel, and rose water, and mix to make a paste. You can adjust the ingredients and then gently scrub the paste on your underarms. Leave it on for 15 minutes, wash it off with cool water, and repeat thrice a week.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a great remedy for dark underarms and it also has soothing effects on the skin. Scoop out some aloe vera gel and let it cool for about 5 minutes in the refrigerator before applying. Massage it nicely on the underarms and let it sit for 20 minutes. Wash it off and repeat thrice a week for even-toned underarms.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
There is nothing that a little apple cider vinegar can’t fix as it is rich in amino and lactic acid which help in clearing away dead skin cells. Take 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar and use a cotton ball to rub it on the underarms generously. Let it dry for about 15 minutes, wash off with cold water, and repeat once a week.
Featured Image Source
