How to Get Rid of Dark Underarms?

Dark underarms are a very common problem for men and women. Especially for women, they cannot choose to wear sleeveless blouses or T-shirts. Also, dark underarms sometimes cause odor. So, here we are discussing how to get rid of dark underarms natural way. These homemade natural scrubs effectively help to lighten dark underarms. We also talk about other medical treatments available and mostly prescribed by dermatologists.

Causes of Dark Underarms

Dark underarms are the coloration of the skin in that area. This is not a disease or a skin condition. This is mostly attributed to each person’s lifestyle. Some may get dark underarms due to certain medical conditions. Let us look at what causes dark armpits.

Dark Underarms Causes by Lifestyle

• Deodorants and antiperspirants – Chemical Irritants
• Shaving – Irritation and abrasion on the underarm skin
• Dead skin cell accumulation with no exfoliation
• Hyperpigmentation results in increased melanin
• Friction by wearing tight clothes
• Smoker’s melanosis (hyperpigmentation caused by smoking)
• Excessive sweating

Dark Underarms Causes Due to Medical Conditions

• Erythrasma is a bacterial infection
• Melasma (Dark Patches on the skin)
• Addison’s disease is caused by a damaged adrenal gland
• Acanthosis Nigricans due to diabetics, obesity, or abnormal hormone levels

If you think your dark underarms are a health condition and not a lifestyle, then please consult a physician for treatment.

Great, now let us look what are best natural ways to get rid of dark underarms with home remedies.

Get Rid of Dark Underarms: Home Remedies

1. Baking Soda with Water or Lemon Juice

Use baking soda as an exfoliating scrub to overcome dark underarm issues. It removes the dead skin cells that cause dark underarms. It also unclogs the skin’s pores and lightens dark skin.

Using lemon with baking soda and water has added advantages. Because lemon is a powerful antiseptic and natural bleaching agent. It prevents the growth of microorganisms on the skin and whitens dark skin.

Application: Here is the quick dark underarm baking soda preparation using:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• Water

Mix baking soda and lemon juice. Add sufficient water to make a paste. Scrub the paste on your dark underarms. Keep scrubbing for about 5 minutes. Then wash off the underarms with lukewarm water. Finally, apply some moisturizing cream to your underarms. You can apply three to four times a week.

The Los Angeles County Works publication says that baking soda is a good natural deodorant. Just pat a little baking soda on the underarms after showering. Make sure that underarm skin is a bit damp before applying. If too abrasive, add cornstarch or white clay to the mix.

2. Toothpaste for Dark Underarms

You must be surprised to include toothpaste as a remedy to get rid of dark underarms. But it is working against dark underarm skin. It is because most toothpaste has a fair amount of baking soda and fluoride in it.

Application: Applying toothpaste is very simple. Apply a thin layer of toothpaste over the dark underarms. Leave it for about 10 minutes and rinse off with water. You may repeat it two times a day.

3. Raw Potato for Dark Underarms

Potatoes have mild acidic properties which are the greatest natural bleaching agent. This does not cause any skin irritation compared to other strong bleaching agents. This is pretty safe and also the cheapest way to get rid of dark underarms.

Application: Take a thin slice of potato and run it over the underarms.  Another way to use a potato is to grate the potatoes and extract the juice. Apply the juice to the affected area and let it dry for 20 minutes. After that, wash the armpits with lukewarm water.

4. Cucumber

Cucumber has natural mild bleaching properties. it reduces the dark colorization in the armpit. This is a cheaper way to treat dark underarms.

Application: Cut a cucumber into slices and rub the slices on your underarms. You could grate and make cucumber juice and then apply it to the underarms too. Repeat twice a day to get better and faster results.

You also make cucumber juice and then add a little turmeric powder. Make paste. Apply the paste over the underarms. Let it be for about 30 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat once a day till it clears.

5. Lemon and Honey

Lemon is a natural bleach and functions as a strong antibacterial and antiseptic agent. It dries out your skin quickly when applied. Adding honey helps soothe your skin and aids in a faster whitening process. Apply some moisturizer cream after the lemon and honey treatment to feel good.

Application: The application is very simple. Rub the lemon wedge on the skin of your underarms for a few minutes. Let it dry for about 10 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water and then apply moisturizer cream over it. Repeat a few times a week for better results.

You also could mix the fresh lemon juice with a little turmeric powder and honey. Mix well and make a paste. Apply the paste on your underarms. Leave it for 10 minutes. Thereafter wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat a few times a week.

This process will help to remove the dead skin and as well as lighten the underarm skin quickly. This natural will help to remove dead skin and lighten the underarm skin pretty fast. Another way to use it is with baking soda as mentioned in the first remedy on top.

6. Orange Peel

Orange Peel is capable of lightening the dark skin in armpits. Also, it functions as a skin exfoliate.

Application:

Dry the Orange peel well under direct sunlight for a couple of days. Then grind it to powder. Mix two teaspoons full of orange peel powder with a little milk and rosewater to make a paste.

Use the paste and scrub over the underarms. Leave it for about fifteen minutes. Thereafter wash it off with normal tap water. Repeat this process three times a week.

7. Vitamin E: Coconut Oil and Argan Oil

Coconut oil is also effective in getting rid of dark underarms. The vitamin E-rich coconut oil lightens the dark underarms. It is a good and natural deodorant as well.

Argan oil is also rich in Vitamin E. Thereby argon oil gives the same effects as coconut oil.

Application: The application is very simple. Take some coconut oil or argan oil in your palm. Apply over the armpits and massage well. After about 15 minutes wash the underarms with warm water. Repeat three times a day for better results.

Argan oil is non-greasy. So, better to apply it before going to bed and leave it without washing the armpits overnight.

8. Milk

Milk has vitamins and fatty acids in it. The substances control skin darkening when applied by softening skin tone.

Application: Make a paste by mixing two tablespoons of full-fat milk and plain yogurt. Apply the paste to the underarms and leave it for fifteen minutes. Then wash it off with warm water. Repeat a few times a week for better results.

Another way to apply is to use the few strands of saffron soaked in milk for about twenty minutes. Then apply it to the armpits. Leave it for thirty minutes before washing it off. Repeat every day to get definite results.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV has huge health benefits including help in clearing dark underarms.

Apple cider vinegar is rich in amino and lactic acid. It has the ability to clear dead skin cells and lessen scars. Additionally, ACV has properties that destroy bacteria and germs on dead skin cells.

Application: Make a thick paste by mixing white vinegar with a little rice flour. Wipe and clean the underarms with warm water and apply the paste. Let the paste dry out for fifteen minutes. Then wash off the armpits with warm water. Repeat this remedy a few times a week at your convenience.

10. Sandalwood Powder

Sandalwood has natural skin-lightening agents. Also, sandalwood fragrance helps against body odor. That is why it is used in several beauty products.

The rose water provides a cooling effect on the skin. So, sandalwood together with rose water works well against dark underarms.

Application: Make a paste by mixing rose water and sandalwood powder. Apply it to the dark underarms and after about fifteen minutes wash it off with warm water. Repeat this remedy daily to see results after a few days of application.

11. Gram Flour

Gram flour is also used to get rid of dark underarms due to its whitening skin qualities.

Application: Mix two tablespoons of gram flour, a little yogurt, and fresh lemon juice. Make a thick paste and add a bit of turmeric powder. Apply it to the dark underarms and leave it for thirty minutes. Repeat it daily for three weeks and you will see the results.

12. Almond Oil

Almond oil for dark underarms is effective for main two reasons. One is almond oil is rich in vitamin E and the next is the presence of phytochemicals in it. These two substances together rejuvenate skin and function as a natural bleaching agent.

Application: Massage the armpits with a few drops of almond oil using your fingers. Massage for about 10 minutes. That’s it. You can apply almond oil every day.

13. Honey and Charcoal

This is a favorite remedy for many women. Easy and simple dark armpit solution using honey and charcoal tablets. As mentioned earlier honey is a natural bleaching agent. It releases hydrogen peroxide which works as bleach to lighten the skin.

On the other hand, activated charcoal has been used for various purposes. Such as teeth whitening and skin detox. It is clever in removing all the impurities and toxins from the skin. It also, makes your underarms smell fresh.

Yes, all you need is:

• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 3 activated charcoal tablets

Mix honey and charcoal powder thoroughly. Make sure it becomes a paste and is not too runny. If needed add more honey to make it a thick paste.

Application: Wash and dry your armpits first. Then apply the honey and charcoal mix with a small brush. See the illustration above on how to apply it in the below video. Let it dry for a couple of minutes. Then leave it for about 20 minutes. You need not keep your hand up in the air like a monkey after application. Just relax your hands and do your normal work. After 20 minutes rinse off your armpit.

Beauty Hack Tested: DIY Underarm Lightening with Honey and Activated Charcoal

See the video below testing the honey and charcoal hack on dark underarms yourself:

One can expect quick results this way to get rid of dark armpits. That is why this method is rather popular among women. Fresh and clean armpits in a short time. Having said that, it all depends on how severe or mild is your dark underarm condition. In the case of a severe condition, it requires more repeated applications.

14. Turmeric Underarm Whitening

Turmeric is a commonly used spice throughout the world. It has exhibited anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-neoplastic properties that help skin disorders.

Here is Sharese Nicole’s turmeric underarm whitening home formula. She has tried and shown up on video how that works. She is happy that she not using baking soda. Excited to see the whitening of armpit skin is really happening.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• Lemon half juice
• 2 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream

Preparation:

Put all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix all together thoroughly. The objective is to make a paste. If it gets too thick add more lemon juice. But make sure it does not become runny.

Application:

Clean your armpits and be sure they are dry. Apply the paste with a brush over the armpits. Leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes. Whip off the armpits with napkins. Then rinse them off with lukewarm water.

Repeat for a few days till you see the results.

Precautions:

Turmeric causes stains on your clothing and the bowl you use for mixing. Therefore, be sure to use a bowl and clothing that you do care about being stained with turmeric.

Here is the video of Sharese Nicole demonstrating how she applied turmeric to get rid of dark underarms. See it yourself:-

14. Aloe Vera for Dark Underarms

Aloe vera is not unknown among women. It contains anti-bacterial properties and works like magic to soothe and lighten your skin. Here are the tips on how to use aloe vera to whiten your dark armpits:

Application: Get a piece of fresh aloe vera leaf and extract the gel. Apply the aloe vera gel to both of your underarms. Let it dry for about 20 minutes. Then rinse the armpits with lukewarm water. If it is hard to get some fresh aloe vera gel get it from the supermarket near you.

Prevention of Dark Underarms

You can take simple and immediate steps to help yourself to prevent the formation of dark underarms. Here are the steps:

• Change the Brand of Deodorant/Antiperspirant: Make use of natural products like baking soda or apple cider vinegar. Better stop using deodorant altogether. Change to mild deodorant brands.
• Stop Shaving: Stop shaving your underarms. Instead, make use of waxing.
• Exfoliate using a body scrub or a facial exfoliator two or three times a week.
• Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes: Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes. Opting to wear loose clothes really helps.
• Quit Smoking: People who smoke should quit smoking.

15. Moisturizing and Hydration

Some people may develop dark underarms due to dry or flaky skin and thereby dark patches. So, use a moisturizer to maintain to have your armpits clean and healthy. You may use Vaseline Healthy White Triple Lightening Body Lotion. This has the power for skin whitening and hydration.

Medical Treatment for Dark Underarms

It all depends on the dermatologist’s diagnosis of your underarm condition. Here are the treatments they may prescribe you:

Topical creams or lotions: The creams/lotions contain whitening agents are many such as kojic acid, tretinoin, hydroquinone, corticosteroids, or azelaic acid.

Underarm Lightening Laser Treatment: Removal of pigments using laser treatment

Exfoliate skin with chemical peels such as beta hydroxy acids and alpha hydroxy acids

Oral antibiotic: In some cases, advised to take oral antibiotics

When to See a Doctor?

As mentioned at the beginning of the article dark armpits may be a sign of underlying medical conditions. Discuss with your dermatologist to determine the cause of the dark underarms. Then it will be easier for you to take appropriate home remedies or medical treatment.