Though there is no medical reason behind someone having dark underarms, experts say that mostly all joints like knees, elbows and armpits are dark compared to other body parts. "There is no scientific reason behind why a person has dark underarms but the fact is that mostly all joints are dark," Apollo Hospital senior cosmetic surgeon Anup Dhir said. "But with the latest medical technologies, you can easily get rid of them or else lighten the skin tone of that particular area," he added.
Experts also reveal that excessive use of hair-removing creams and shaving are the major causes of darkening armpits. "Waxing is the best hair removal option for the area under the arms. Still, many people prefer shaving and hair removal creams. This is a bad idea because shaving does not remove hair by the roots and the chemicals present in the hair removal creams result in discoloration of the skin under the arms," beauty expert Shahnaz Hussain said.
Other than shaving and hair removal creams, use of deodorants and perfumes directly on the skin leads to darkening this area further. According to Kaya Skin Clinic's dermatologist Hema Pant, people have this misconception that sweating results in darkening the armpit area.
"Sweat has no direct relation with darkening under the arm area. But, yes, it has an indirect role. "People use deodorants and perfumes to get rid of body odor which in turn makes the armpits area darker if they use it directly on their skin," she said.
Agreeing with her, Dhir said: "Deodorants contain metallic salts that result in darkening the skin tone and sometimes people also complain about developing rashes and some itchiness. The fact is that these metallic salts are not at all good for your skin."
In terms of treatment, markets are flooded with various options starting from the permanent hair removal treatment to body peel and from Botox treatment to some skin lightening creams.
According to Dhir, laser is the best option because this results in permanent hair removal and improves the skin tone of the area as well. Also peels like spa body do wonders in lightening the skin tone of that area, if one is not facing excessive hair growth or dark under the arm skin problem.
"Spa body peels remove blackness of the armpits. This is a moderate to extensive exfoliation which needs around 4-6 sittings to see the results. But the best option for all those who have heavy hair growth should be to opt for laser because that is the best way out to remove hair permanently," said Dhir.
"The process requires 4-5 sittings, depending on the hair growth." Dhir also emphasized the fact that Botox treatment is limited to mere 2-4 percent people because only those who suffer from excessive sweating go for it. The result lasts anywhere between six months and one year.
"In this method, we paralyze sweat glands temporarily and not many people go for this treatment because in most cases it is not required. One should also use sunblock creams in this area to prevent their further darkening," Dhir explained.
While many people are opting for these treatments, there are many who still stick to the home remedy and for them Shahnaz Hussain has a simple mantra. "Mix besan (gram flour), curd, lemon juice and a little turmeric and apply at least three times a week under the arms. Wash it off after half an hour. It will definitely work wonders," Hussain said.
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