When the sun blazes and we want to flaunt our style, sleeveless tops and dresses are often our go-to choice. However, for many women, the joy of wearing sleeveless outfits is overshadowed by the insecurity of dark underarms. This common concern can lead to the hesitation to lift arms in public and a reluctance to wear those sleeveless styles.
While they usually pose no health risk, many people seek ways to lighten their underarms, as it has the power to shake your confidence.
Lethiwe Ntuli from Pretoria shares how she has been battling dark underarms since her early 20s. Despite the unknown cause, she says its impact on her daily life is clear.
“Dark underarms bother me a lot because I can’t wear clothes that show my underarms during the summer. I’ve tried quite a lot of things to lighten them, but none of them actually worked, so I eventually stopped trying products.
“Some roll-ons make them darker, and some a bit lighter. I wish I could find a product that works,” says Ntuli.
Seeking solutions for dark underarms
Venessa Mnguni from Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga tells Health for Mzansi that she has experienced a decline in her confidence over the years and felt limited in her choice of clothing due to dark underarms.
“My dark underarms were caused by a roll-on. They make my confidence go low, and I can’t wear clothes that show them. I have found an aloe-soothing gel that makes them better and clears up my skin. I’d suggest trying aloe products; maybe they can also help others,” she says.
Meanwhile, Esethu Matyolo from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, says, “I had certain clothes that I could not wear because they would show my underarms, and I was insecure, or I had to put emojis on pictures that show my underarms.
“I only stopped struggling after I replaced my normal deodorants with alcohol- and aluminium-salt-free deodorants and the Aloe Ever-Shield Deodorant from Forever Living.”
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Causes of underarm darkening
Specialist dermatologist Dr Mamello Ntsele from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal says several factors can contribute to underarm darkening.
Some of these factors are:
- Dermatological conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis, which is an eczema of hairy areas.
- A glue to underlying medical conditions, e.g., in patients with acanthosis nigricans, that can be a sign of insulin resistance or endocrine disorders like Addison’s disease.
- Friction-related: Overweight or obese people and tight clothing cause friction as well.
- Infections: Tinea cruris, which can affect moist and folded areas of the skin.
- Skin irritation after shaving or from irritating deodorants or antiperspirants.
- A diet that is high in processed and refined sugars, affects the composition of sweat.
“Certain health conditions, like diabetes or insulin resistance, and obesity, can also worsen dark underarms.”
Dermatologist Dr Mamello Ntsele
To prevent or reduce the darkening of the underarms, she recommends a healthy diet, a low-GI diet, treatment of underlying medical conditions, and using products that are not irritating if suffering from sensitive skin.
“Some home remedies that I would suggest for treating dark underarms include using exfoliative scrubs, which may be used with caution, and avoiding any caustic products,” she says.
“Also, ensure that any underlying medical condition is excluded and treated appropriately and see a dermatologist for treatments that are available for hyperpigmentation.”
ALSO READ: Skin deep: How to manage hyperpigmentation
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