The underarms are arguably one of the most neglected areas of the body when it comes to skin care, yet they’re also very prone to discoloration and irritation.
One possible solution for lightening the underarms is apple cider vinegar – can apple cider vinegar lighten underarms? Keep on reading to see if this natural ingredient can help reduce discoloration and restore a brighter, more even tone for the skin of the underarms area.
What Causes Dark Underarms?
You might be wondering why your underarm area is darker than the rest of your skin. There are several factors that can contribute to the pigmentation and darkening of the underarm skin.
Let’s explore some of the possible reasons…
Firstly, your underarms are often exposed to friction from wearing tight clothing. Tight clothes can rub against the sensitive skin in the underarm area, leading to irritation and darkening.
Thus, wearing loose-fitting clothing could be a small change to help prevent dark underarms.
Another common cause of dark underarms is the use of deodorants and antiperspirants that contain alcohol and other chemical irritants.
These products can disrupt the skin’s natural balance, causing pigmentation issues and potentially inducing a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans (AN).
AN is characterized by the darkening and thickening of the skin in body folds, such as the armpits.
Shaving is yet another factor leading to dark underarms. Regular shaving may cause irritation and abrasion, which can further darken the sensitive skin in this region.
Consider alternative hair removal methods, like waxing or using depilatory creams, that might be gentler on your skin.
Now, let’s delve into some internal factors. Hormonal imbalances and certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, can lead to darkened underarms.
If you suspect an underlying health issue, consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Remember that taking care of your overall health is crucial for attaining even-toned, radiant skin.
So, to recap, some of the main causes of dark underarms include:
- Friction from tight clothing
- Chemical irritants in deodorants and antiperspirants
- Shaving and other hair removal methods
- Hormonal imbalances and medical conditions
Being aware of these factors can help you make informed decisions to address the root causes of dark underarms, paving the way for lighter, healthier skin.
Which Home Remedies For Dark Underarms Are Most Effective?
When looking for home remedies for dark underarms, there are many that can be used to effectively lighten the skin.
One of the most popular treatments is potato juice. Applying thin slices of fresh potato directly onto your underarms and leaving it on for 10–15 minutes before rinsing off can help reduce darkness caused by overuse of deodorants and shaving.
Another remedy is baking soda – mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to create a paste and applying it on the affected area can both cleanse and exfoliate skin, helping to remove dead skin cells which can worsen discoloration.
Lemon juice has been known to have bleaching agent properties that make it a great choice when trying to lighten your underarms; simply mixing equal parts lemon juice and water then applying this mixture daily will eventually lead to lighter skin in this area.
Toothpaste is another option you can use as an effective home remedy for this problem as its natural whitening ingredients are found in many products made to combat discoloration from acne scarring or sun damage – leave toothpaste applied onto your underarm area for about 15 minutes twice per day until desired results appear.
Turmeric also acts similarly with its antioxidant, antiseptic, and antibacterial abilities; making a paste out of turmeric powder mixed with 1–2 tablespoons of water lets you apply it directly onto your armpits twice a day before rinsing off after 20 minutes or so until you start seeing some positive effects.
Finally coconut oil is often seen as one of the best solutions due not only to its ability to moisturize but also because of its long-term improvement on discoloration.
Apply some either raw or mixed with lime juice on your armpits every night before bed time and let it sit overnight, then rinse off each morning until results start appearing in a few weeks’ time depending on how bad the darkness is prior.
How Can Apple Cider Vinegar Improve Hyperpigmentation?
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is an effective topical treatment for skin hyperpigmentation. This type of pigmentation can be caused by a range of factors, including sun exposure, genetics, hormone changes and medication side effects.
ACV helps to lighten the excess pigment in the skin and even out discoloration. Its antifungal properties help reduce bacterial growth that can cause breakouts, while its astringent properties act as a natural exfoliant.
Since ACV is rich in lactic acid, it can also help restore your skin’s pH balance while activating enzymes to trigger cellular turnover.
Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, which acts as an alpha hydroxy acid; this helps speed up cell regeneration and decreases wrinkles or sagging skin for an overall rejuvenated appearance.
Because ACV has natural anti-inflammatory agents like vitamins C and E plus zinc, these can help soothe inflammation from dry or irritated skin due to environmental pollutants such as pollen or smoke exposure.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lighten Underarms?
Apple cider vinegar has many purported uses, including as a natural remedy to lighten the skin on your underarms.
Although its efficacy is not proven, some people swear by it as a non-toxic alternative to deodorants and antiperspirants that contain chemicals like aluminum chloride.
Apple cider vinegar may help lighten dark armpits because of its acidity and mild bleaching effect.
When applied topically, the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar exfoliates dead skin cells and helps reduce discoloration.
Some people also use apple cider vinegar as a natural deodorant. This works because apple cider vinegar has both antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can fight bacteria that cause odor associated with sweat in the underarms area.
Plus, apple cider vinegar’s low pH level can help maintain an acidic environment on the skin, which creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth.
Apple Cider Vinegar is relatively safe when used correctly, so you should try it if you would like to see results, but be aware that results may vary from person to person depending on their individual body chemistry.
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Getting Rid Of Dark Armpits
Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent natural remedy for discolored armpits. It helps to lighten the darkness due to tanning and other factors such as hormonal imbalance or excessive sweating.
To use Apple Cider Vinegar for getting rid of dark armpits, you’ll need one-part apple cider vinegar and three parts water, in a bowl.
Soak a cotton pad in the solution and then rub it directly onto your affected underarms twice a day.
Alternatively, you can also apply a mixture of one tablespoon organic ACV mixed with one tablespoon of honey directly onto the skin for about 15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
Another method is to mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar with baking soda and make it into a paste like consistency.
Apply this paste onto your underarm area daily until desired results are achieved.
All these methods work best when followed regularly over time on clean skin, preferably post shower or bath when the pores open up easily allowing better absorption of the ACV solutions into the skin.
Is Deodorant One Of The Causes Of Dark Underarms?
Deodorant is one of the most commonly used personal care products.
While it helps keep body odor under control, there is some debate about whether it could have adverse effects on a person’s skin, particularly when applied to the delicate area of the underarms.
Some people believe that deodorants and antiperspirants are responsible for causing the darkening or discoloration of this area. There are a few theories behind how this might occur.
It has been suggested that certain ingredients in deodorant or antiperspirant such as alcohol or aluminum can cause irritation leading to darkening of the skin’s pigmentation.
Some experts attribute darkening to shaving or waxing, which causes inflammation in the affected areas, leading to hyperpigmentation and discoloration over time.
More research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be made regarding a link between deodorant use and darkened armpits, as studies so far conducted have come up with conflicting results.
For now, however, if you do experience discoloration due to possible deodorant usage, then reducing its application may give more satisfactory results than trying out various home remedies such as lemon juice-based treatments.
Which Lifestyle Changes Can Get Rid Of Dark Underarms?
To get rid of dark underarms, consider making the following lifestyle changes:
- Exfoliate your underarms regularly to remove dead skin cells and impurities.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes that cause friction and irritation to your underarms.
- Opt for hair removal methods that are less likely to cause skin irritation, such as waxing instead of shaving.
- Maintain good hygiene and keep your underarms clean and dry to prevent bacterial growth and infections.
How to Mix Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar for Underarm Lightening?
Mix 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of baking soda to create a paste. Apply this paste to your underarms, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Rinse off with water. Repeat this treatment 2–3 times a week for best results.
Summary
Dark underarms can be caused by a variety of factors, including friction from tight clothing, chemical irritants in deodorants and antiperspirants, shaving, hormonal imbalances and medical conditions.
There are many home remedies for lightening the darkness of the armpit area, such as potato juice and lemon juice; these are often used alongside apple cider vinegar to further reduce discoloration.
Apple cider vinegar contains lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and brighten dark pigmentation.
Plus, its antibacterial properties can protect against infection-causing bacteria thriving in sweat-prone areas.