Armpits tend to have a dark coloration this is not a disease and in some few cases can be caused by medical conditions. The armpits darken in response to the exposure it gets to some elements. It can be explained as how the skin responds to the sun ultraviolet rays when exposed and it gets suntan. Some of the elements that cause dark underarms include poor ventilation, shaving, exposure to hair removing creams, accumulation of dead skin cells, excessive sweating and alcohol based antiperspirants and deodorants.
Before you trash your tank tops because of dark armpits, know you can lighten them.
Around your kitchen you have simple inexpensive natural ingredients which can make a simple home remedy for making armpits lighter. Home remedies are natural, safe, effective and affordable.
1. Use natural bleaching agent
Some vegetables and fruits have antiseptic, acidic and anti-bacterial properties which will lighten the skin. Lemons, potatoes and cucumbers are among the three things that will eliminate under arm dark skin.
Potatoes – cut a thin slice of the potato and rub it on the dark armpit. Alternatively, you can use potato juice which is gotten from grating the potato and squeezing the juice out. Apply the juice onto the dark armpits and leave it for 10 minutes then rinse.
Cucumber– cut a slice of cucumber and apply on the affected are or grate the cucumber an squeeze out the juice. To make it more effective add some drops of lemon juice and some turmeric and mix them to make a paste. Apply the paste and let it rest for half an hour then wash off.
Lemons – cut a thick slice of lemon and rub it on the dark armpit. Lemon removes dead skin cells from the skin lightening it. After this, wash it off and follow up by applying a moisturizer; this is because lemon dries the skin. For a more effective formula add plain yoghurt or honey and turmeric and mix to make a paste. Apply it and leave it to rest for 10 minutes before rinsing it.
2. Use moisturizers
To prevent dark armpits make it a habit or moisturize the armpits twice a day. This also makes dark armpits lighter. The best moisturizers to use are natural moisturizers such as lecithin and aloe Vera among others.
3. Exfoliate regularly
Dead skin cells which accumulate are likely to cause dark armpits. Exfoliating reduces the dark skin appearance. Some ingredients effective for exfoliating include:
Sugar – mix 3 table spoons of brown sugar with olive oil and extra virgin oil is best in this case. Apply on wet skin for two minutes and take a bath. This mixture is effective when used twice a week.
Baking soda – make a mixture of water and baking soda into paste and use it as a scrub. After scrubbing rinse it and dry the armpits. For the armpits to look lighter a dusting of baking powder will do.
Rosewater and baking soda – make a thick paste of rosewater and baking soda and apply to the underarm then wash using warm water. Repeat this until the armpits begin to lighten.
Orange – take orange peels and put them out in the sun to dry. Grind the peels to make a powder and make the paste from the powder by adding milk and rose water. Scrub the underarms with the paste for 15 minutes to exfoliate and then rinse with cold water.
Pumice stone – use a pumice stone to gently scrub to remove dead skin cells. Buy an abrasive light weight volcanic rock which is readily available in beauty stores and drug stores. Scrub the underarm after thoroughly wetting the stone.
4. Liquid treat the armpits
This kind of treatment not only lightens the armpits but also makes the skin fresher and softer.
Milk – milk has fatty acids and vitamins which effectively lighten dark skin. Mix two tablespoons of milk, one table spoon flour and one tablespoon curd to make a paste. Apply and let the paste to rest for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water. The skin will be softer and look lighter. For best results use the full fat cream milk.
Vinegar – this gives you a sweet smelling skin, lighter and germ free. Make a paste of vinegar and rice flour then take a shower
