Why do I get dark underarms?

If you are suffering from dark circles or dark spots under your armpits this is a great article to help you understand why. It could be a variety of reasons, so let's get into it. 

What causes darkness in your underarms?  

Before we dive too far into the content we should go over some of the causes of dark underarms and hyperpigmentation. You may think this is rare, but in a recent study 19.5% of adults were effected with what's called Acanthosis Nigricans, which is the condition. 

1. Hair removal leading to friction

It's not uncommon for chaffing or hair removal to cause your skin to get a darker hue than your skin. This is often referred to as hyperpigmentation, which is excess production of melanin. Consult a medical professional for deeper insight into your specific example, but if you expect this to be caused by repeat hair removal or irritation there are steps you can take.

We have a detailed blog on the connections between dark spots and shaving.   

2. Not trimming before shaving your underarms

Having a trimmer on deck will ensure that the interaction between the razor and skin is as seamless as possible. Irritation can often be caused by friction due to hair removal. If you shave your underarms regularly you can prevent this by trimming before you shave next time, as well as using a moisturizing shaving cream. 

If you are looking for a trimmer for your underarms we recommend finding one that is waterproof, wireless and comes with trimming guards. 

3. Not exfoliating your underarms regularly

A Dark Spot Exfoliating Scrub will treat your dark spots and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. A sugar based scrub contains nourishing ingredients, such as lemon essential oil, that will lighten dark spots and brighten the skin. In addition, you should look for an antioxidant rich blend of Jojoba and Grapeseed oil to moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. The goal with a dark spot scrub is to remove dead skin cells and reveal healthy skin, all while breaking up the melanin pigments to reveal even skin tones and remove dark spots. 

View Dark Spot Exfoliating Scrub

4. Not using a Dark Spot Treatment on your underarms  

Another common cause of darkness in in your underarms is not using a soothing oil or Dark Spot Oil. To help soften the appearance of dark underarms we recommend using a Dark Spot Oil that contains the combination of fractionated coconut carrier oil, lemon essential oil, and rare copaiba oil. This type of formula will reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots and more. 

View Dark Spot Treatment Oil

4. Reaction from a deodorant can cause darkness to appear in your underarms

Chemical irritation can be a common cause of underarm darkening. Many deodorants contain aluminum, which can clog pores and cause further inflammation. This daily, weekly, monthly cycle is a repeating factor for darkening underarms. 

If you are seeing darkness from your antiperspirant or your deodorant you can look to switch to a more natural product. It's common for your body to go through a purging cycle after using a new product with different ingredients. This is natural, but can be quite the trouble for you as a customer. Stay patient! It won't last forever. 

"Many deodorants contain aluminum, which can clog pores and cause further inflammation" 

Darker Skin Tones and Dark Underarms 

Darker skin tones are more likely to experience darker underarms. Hyperpigmentation in general is is more common for people of color. The presence of increased melanin in the skin leads to this increased risk of hyperpigmentation. 

It's quite common to see dark spots in a variety of areas on the body, not just the underarms. For instance, you can see these popup from the scar of an ingrown hair or a pimple. This is why it's required to use gentle products to treat these spots, as they generally occur in sensitive areas.