How to lighten underarm Pigmentation Naturally?
June 22, 2021
Underarm pigmentation is a common skin concern today, especially in people of colour. Different people approach it in different ways. While some embrace it, others are simply looking for a way to get back their natural tone. Both approaches are completely rational.
There are plenty of ways to improve the skin tone on your underarms naturally. But in order to pick the best remedies, it is important to figure out the real cause behind your underarm pigmentation. Let’s have a look at some common causes that lead to hyperpigmentation and learn how to get rid of underarm pigmentation naturally.
What is Pigmentation?
Pigmentation means the colour of our skin, eyes and hair. Our skin has special cells known as melanocytes. These cells produce a pigment known as melanin that gives colour to our skin. People with lighter skin tones tend to experience less melanin production in their skin, whereas people who have darker skin have more melanin in their skin.
The overproduction of melanin can get triggered due to various causes and this can lead to tanning, patchiness, dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Causes of Underarm Pigmentation
- Increased Melanin Production - People who have naturally dusky complexions usually have a higher melanin content in their skin. This increases their chances of getting hyperpigmentation..
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Hair Plucking
Plucking hair out of your underarms can damage the surface of your skin, and lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. According to a study, this kind of hyperpigmentation is most common in Southeast Asian women. It is simply your skin’s reaction to any trauma caused by the tweezer. -
Shaving
The skin on your underarms is delicate compared to the skin on the rest of your body. Using a razor on this delicate skin can cause irritation, redness, razor burns, and cuts that can convert into hyperpigmentation and scarring in the future. -
Waxing
Pouring hot wax on your underarm skin can be damaging in the long run. Additionally, pulling off wax strips forcefully from your skin may look like it’s a good way to remove dead skin, but it can cause unnecessary skin trauma and darkening after a while. -
Excess scrubbing
Pouring hot wax on your underarm skin can be damaging in the long run. Additionally, pulling off wax strips forcefully from your skin may look like it’s a good way to remove dead skin, but it can cause unnecessary skin trauma and darkening after a while. -
Excess sweating
When your underarms sweat a lot, dead skin and dirt accumulate on your skin faster than usual. This might appear as hyperpigmentation after a while. -
Dryness
Using cleansers or deodorants that do not suit your skin type or do not match your skin concerns might end up dehydrating the skin on your underarms. This may lead to itchiness, irritation and inflammation which can cause underarm pigmentation. -
Obesity
An increase in body weight can cause your underarms to rub against your skin and create friction. This can lead to ingrown hair and hyperpigmentation. -
Hormonal changes
Fluctuating hormones during puberty, pregnancy or menopause can lead to underarm darkening. This is usually temporary and can be reversed with timely care. -
Genetics
Hyperpigmentation can be passed down from ancestors. According to a study, this holds true for individuals residing in places with intense UV radiation like Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
How to Get Rid of Underarm Pigmentation?
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Using Sun Protection
Use non-greasy and water-resistant sunscreen on your underarm skin as well as on the surrounding areas. Wear clothes with sleeves, and prevent sun exposure during peak daylight hours as much as possible. -
Hair removal aftercare
All kinds of hair removal methods, whether it is shaving, waxing or plucking, can lead to some form of irritation and inflammation. This is why pre and post-hair removal care is important. Refrain from shaving on dry skin. Use a gentle and moisturising soap to soften your underarm skin while shaving. After the hair removal process, massage the area with an ice cube to soothe razor burns and redness. -
Moisturizing
Apply oil to your skin every night for at least a week after shaving or waxing. Pick a plant-based oil with essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties to repair and soothe your underarm skin. During the daytime, prefer using an organic deodorant that is rich and nourishing, instead of drying and stripping.
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Gentle care
The skin on your underarms is delicate and sensitive. You should care for it the same way you would care for your facial skin. Prefer using gentle and organic soap to clean the area. And only go for hair removal once every 30-45 days. -
Choosing the right clothes
Wear clothes made out of a soft and breathable fabric like cotton. Avoid wearing clothes with tight sleeves. Wearing synthetic or rough fabrics or wearing tight clothes can create tugging and friction which may lead to ingrown hair and hyperpigmentation.
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Healthy lifestyle
Eat balanced and nutritious food. Include your favourite workout in your daily routine and be consistent with it. Having a healthy body weight can prevent hyperpigmentation caused by a sedentary lifestyle and improper eating habits. If you are gaining weight because of hormonal changes, do seek guidance from your doctor.
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Managing sweat
Choose to stay in pleasant surroundings. Bathe regularly and follow good hygiene practices. Use talc-free dusting powder on your underarms after a bath to control excess sweating. You may also add a layer of cotton lining inside your sleeves or use underarm sweat pads. These are similar to sanitary cotton pads, but for your underarms. They absorb sweat throughout the day and prevent dirt and dead skin from accumulating on your underarms to a great extent.
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Masking
According to research, licorice root is a gentle herb that reduces post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and regulates the synthesis of melanin in your skin to a great extent. Here are 3 quick DIYs through which you can experience the benefits of licorice root.
Home Remedies for Pigmentation Lightening
DIY Underarm Lightening Mask
Ingredients -
Procedure -
This mask can be used once or twice a week. Oat flour creates a gentle and soothing base for the mask, and licorice root helps to fade underarm pigmentation with consistent use. Juicy Chemistry’s Bulgarian Rose Water is proven to improve skin tone and cool your skin.
DIY Underarm Clarifying Mask
Ingredients -
This mask is an effective home remedy for pigmentation lightening, especially if you experience excessive sweating in your underarm region. Fuller earth clay and aloe vera hydrosol cool your skin and help draw out impurities. Licorice root improves the tone of your underarm skin.
DIY Underarm Exfoliator
Ingredients -
Procedure -
Use this remedy once or twice a week to keep your underarm skin smooth. The gram flour adds softness to your underarms and sweet almond oil provides nourishment. Apricot meal is a powder made with dried apricot kernels. It is a natural and gentle exfoliator.
Juicy Chemistry Products that Help to Lighten Underarms
Bulgarian rose water restores the natural pH of your skin and promotes even skin tone. It also soothes inflammation and hydrates dry skin. Aloe Vera water cools sensitive skin. Both of these hydrosols are beneficial remedies for aftercare when it comes to hair removal and sun exposure.
Damask rose and jasmine dusting powder improves skin tone in the long run. Tea tree and peppermint dusting powder keeps your skin fresh, dry and cool.
3. Gentle SoapS
Cold processed soaps are gentle, and they restore your skin’s moisture balance instead of stripping it dry. Carrot, rosehip and neroli cold processed soap lighten pigmentation and scars. Lime, ginger and rice cold processed soap works on skin discoloration and also improves skin tone. Natural alpha-hydroxy acids in the sugarcane and grapefruit cold processed soap provide mild exfoliation by breaking down dead skin cells.
4. Moisturising Carrier OilS
Rosehip seed oil reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and scars. Sweet almond oil repairs the outer layer of your skin and moisturises it deeply. You can use either of these or preferably a blend of both.
5. Moisturising Deodorants
Our grapefruit and peppermint deodorant, as well as blood orange and geranium deodorant, help to improve skin tone and soothe inflammation.
5. Gentle Scrubs And Masks
Hazelnut, coffee and chocolate face and body scrub provides gentle exfoliation and works to improve skin tone and texture. Kakadu plum, matcha and blood orange face mask draws out impurities and reduces pigmentation.
5. Brightening Serums
Juicy Chemistry Vitamin C Brightening Serum is naturally activated with kakadu plum extract to inhibit tyrosinase activity and promote even skin tone. Our AHA Polishing Serum contains natural hydroxy acids derived from organic Davidson plum extract to reduce hyperpigmentation.
FAQs
- How long does it take to reduce underarm pigmentation?Pigmentation takes time to become noticeable on your skin. Your skin goes through consistent wear and tear or trauma before manifesting initial signs of hyperpigmentation for you to see. Similarly, once you have noticed the pigmentation and begun working on it, it will take time to get lighter in appearance too. Consistency and patience are important factors when it comes to using natural ingredients to improve skin tone or texture.
- Can I use Juicy Chemistry serums after hair removal?
- Pigmentation takes time to become noticeable on your skin. Your skin goes through consistent wear and tear or trauma before manifesting initial signs of hyperpigmentation for you to see. Similarly, once you have noticed the pigmentation and begun working on it, it will take time to get lighter in appearance too. Consistency and patience are important factors when it comes to using natural ingredients to improve skin tone or texture.
REFERENCES
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18489264/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225051996_Axillary_skin_Biology_and_care
