Dark Armpits

Causes of Dark Armpits Dark armpits and underarms can be a cause of social embarrassment. This condition is mostly caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells in the region owing to a lack of personal hygiene. Excessive shaving of the armpits or the use of hair removal creams and the use of deodorants containing harsh chemicals, too, can cause this problem. Sweating and friction between the skin of the underarms and the fabric of the clothes you wear may also cause the darkening of the skin of your armpits. Sometimes the darkness is accompanied by bad body odor and itching, which is a clear indication of bacterial growth in the armpits. Home Remedies for Dark Armpits There are several easy home remedies to treat dark armpits. One of the most effective and popular remedies is to rub the area with a juicy lemon every day sometime before taking a bath. The juice of lemon has acidic properties and acts as a natural bleaching agent that lightens the color of the skin. Another useful remedy is to make a mixture by adding together some gram flour, yoghurt, the juice of a lime and a pinch of turmeric powder and applying this paste on the affected area every alternate day. You must wait till it dries before washing your skin with water. A mixture of lime juice, cucumber juice and turmeric powder is also helpful in lightening dark armpits. Potato is also known to have natural bleaching properties so applying thinly sliced potato on the armpits may help reduce pigmentation too. Another time-tested remedy is to make a paste by adding sandalwood powder in two teaspoons of rose water. For another remedy, soak a pinch of saffron in two spoonfuls of milk cream and rub this paste gently into your armpits before going to bed every night. Wash your armpits with water the next morning. This will gradually make your armpits look lighter in color. This not only lightens the armpits but also destroys the germs that cause bad body odor. Also, instead of using deodorants, apply an anti-fungal powder or alum powder in your armpits. Moreover, wax your armpits instead of shaving them, as this not only gets rid of armpit hair but also removes dead skin cells and prevents darkening. It is also advisable to wear clothes made of natural fibers like cotton or linen instead of those made of synthetic materials, as this ensures that the skin of your underarms in not irritated through contact with your clothes.