The underarm area rarely gives us trouble but is a major cause of embarrassment during summer. Dark underarms sometimes force us to stop wearing our favourite sleeveless tops or going out for a swim.
The skin in this area is sensitive to problems such as rashes, pigmentation, infection, ingrown hair, and even pimples due to the use of skin products which contain chemicals. The excessive use of deodorants causes discoloration and dead cells accumulate in the underarm area and cause dark patches.
Darkening of the skin under the arms is common. This may be caused by reaction to antiperspirants, deodorants or some hair removal cream. There can be a reaction to alcohol or certain perfumes in deodorants. Shaving can also cause darkening of the skin. The other reasons may be perspiration, sun exposure or hereditary factors. Dark skin under the arms poses a problem where clothes and grooming are concerned, making it impossible to wear sleeveless or strappy dresses.
The good news is that regular herbal remedies can lighten and brighten dark underarms in a few months.
Home remedies for lightening under-arm skin colour:
Waxing is the best option, as it removes hair from the roots. It is said to weaken the follicles over time and thus discourage hair growth. The lemon and sugar mixture used for waxing will help lighten the skin, as lemon juice helps to make skin colour lighter. Combined with sugar it is more effective. Ready-to-use wax and waxing strips are also available, but getting your waxing done at a beauty parlour may give better results.
For dark skin under the arms, mix gram flour (besan) with yogurt and a pinch of turmeric into a paste. Apply three times a week on the area and wash it off after half an hour. Yogurt contains lactic acid and helps to lighten skin colour. Turmeric is also a mild natural bleach.
Both cucumber and lemon juice help to lighten skin colour. Mix them in equal quantities and apply under the arms 3 or 4 times a week. Wash it with plain water after 15 minutes.
Rice flour can be mixed with yogurt and used as a scrub under the arms. Apply the paste and leave on for 15 minutes. Then moisten the area and rub it gently on the skin, washing it with plain water. Rice flour helps to remove the dead cells along with their contained pigment.
Potato juice may be applied under the arms daily to make the skin colour lighter. Apply and leave for 20 minutes. Wash off with plain water.
Mix baking soda with water into a paste and apply under the arms daily. Leave on for 5 minutes and wash off with water.
Sesame seed (til) oil mixed with coconut oil can be applied and massaged daily. Sesame seed oil has SPF and helps in cases of sun-damaged skin. Coconut oil contains Vitamin E, which benefits the skin and helps to lighten the skin colour.
