Do you avoid wearing sleeveless tops because of the unwanted underarm hair? And even if you shave that hair, does your confidence stay down shaving the armpits that come with darkening of the skin? Well, let us inform you that many women suffer from underarm darkness post-shaving.
Mainly caused by skin irritation and friction with the clothes, armpit Pigmentation is a source of discomfort for women. However, you do not have to worry any longer as you can avoid underarm darkening by following a proper shaving routine that targets its root causes.
Therefore, let us explore does shaving your armpits makes them darker, how to shave armpits without darkening, and how to lighten dark armpits.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: Why Are My Armpits Dark After Shaving?
- Part 2: How to Shave Underarms Without Darkening?
- Part 3: Home Remedies to Lighten Dark Armpits
- Part 4: Alternative Hair Removal Methods to Avoid Darkening
Part 1: Why Are My Armpits Dark After Shaving?
To eliminate the darkness of underarms after shaving, you have to know what causes it. Therefore, here are the reasons why your underarms are dark after shaving.
Identifying the causes of dark underarms not only helps in understanding the issue but also aids in preventing it. Common triggers include shaving techniques, skin sensitivity, and product choices.
Understanding the causes of dark underarms is essential for finding effective solutions. By identifying the factors, you can choose the right methods to prevent and treat darkening.
Skin Irritation
Shaving with a sharp and fresh razor gives you instant silky smooth skin. However, you do not always use a fresh razor, right? Using an old or dull razor to shave the underarm hair imparts trauma on the skin and irritates it.
This skin irritation acts as a trigger for the production of melanin and increased melanin production leads to dark armpits.
Skin irritation can be exacerbated by factors such as harsh shaving methods or unsuitable products, leading to increased melanin production and darker underarms.
Skin irritation can result from various factors such as harsh shaving techniques or using the wrong products, which may exacerbate the issue.
Stubble Effect of Razor
Shaving does not remove the unwanted hair from the roots. Rather it only cuts the strands of the hair above the surface of the skin. As the armpit hair is dark and thick, the shaved hair gives a stubble effect making the armpits appear dark.
Furthermore, shaving also makes the skin prone to ingrown hair that appears as red bumps with a black dot in the middle. This adds to the dark appearance of armpits.
The stubble effect can be minimized by adopting proper shaving techniques, which can lead to a smoother finish and potentially reduce the appearance of darkness.
Build-Up of the Shaving Products
Most often, women use a gentle shaving cream to shave the armpits and wear a deodorant only freshly shaved underarms. Both of these products stay on the skin instead of being absorbed.
These create a dark buildup in the underarms by combing with moisture, microbes, sweat, and dead skin cells.
These build-up factors can contribute to **skin discoloration** over time, making it essential to take preventive measures.
Understanding how these build-up factors can lead to **skin discoloration** over time is vital for maintaining healthy underarms.
Part 2: How to Shave Underarms Without Darkening?
From preparing your skin to the process of shaving and taking care of it afterward, here is how to prevent skin darkening after shaving
Step 1: Pre-Shaving Tips
Skin preparation for shaving starts before the day of your shaving session. So, here are some pre-shaving tips to prevent ingrown hair,
- Do not forget moisturizing your underarms while moisturizing your body as a shaving razor works smoothly on well-hydrated skin. Thus, apply body lotions to your armpits regularly.
- Exfoliate your underarms with a gentle physical scrub to remove the dead skin cells, impurities, microbes, dirt, and other pollutants. Exfoliation is required to open the clogged pores of the skin. Also, people with sensitive skin can use a chemical exfoliant.
- If your armpit hair is long or you have not shaved in many weeks, it is better to cut the hair using small scissors.
**Moisturizing your underarms** is crucial, as it can significantly improve the effectiveness of your shaving routine.
Regular **moisturizing** not only aids in achieving a smooth shave but also helps in maintaining the overall health of your skin.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Razor and Products
As shaving can be harsh on the skin and cause irritation leading to pigmentation, using the right products can help you make shaving a gentle experience. For this,
Using the right products is essential to **minimize irritation** and promote smoother skin post-shave.
- Never use a dull razor on your armpits. Rather, ensure that your shaving razor is either brand-new or has sharp blades. Also, a razor with a flexible head helps in the prevention of nicks and cuts as it adjusts its orientation according to the curves of the armpits.
- A pre-shave moisturizing cream or shaving gel creates a barrier on the skin and makes the skin wet offering a smooth shaving experience.
- It is preferred to shave in the bathroom when you take a shower because it provides a we surface to the skin.
Using a pre-shave **moisturizing cream or shaving gel** can greatly improve your shaving experience by softening the hair and preparing the skin.
Shaving in the bathroom while taking a shower not only provides a **wet surface** but also allows the steam to soften the hair, making it easier to shave.
Shaving in a **warm, steamy environment** can further enhance the effectiveness of your shaving routine.
Shaving in a **warm, steamy environment** not only opens up the pores but also helps to soften the hair, making the shaving process smoother and more effective.
Step 3: Proper Shaving Technique
Here is a step-by-step instructions to shave your armpits properly.
- Wash your armpits to remove sweat and impurities that have accumulated over the day
- Wet your armpits and apply a shaving gel or cream on the desired apply
- Move your arm overhead to make the skin taut
- Start shaving in the direction of the hair growth in short stokers with gentle pressure on your fingertips
- After 2 to 3 strokes, rinse the shaving blade
- Continue until you see no hair in your armpits
- Wash and dry your armpits
Cleaning your armpits thoroughly is crucial as it helps to remove any **sweat and impurities**, ensuring a clean surface for shaving.
Applying shaving gel or cream not only provides **lubrication** but also helps to protect the skin from irritation during the shaving process.
Making the skin taut by moving your arm overhead is important as it creates a **smoother surface** for the razor to glide over, helping to prevent nicks and cuts.
Using a gentle technique, **shaving with the hair growth** can help prevent irritation and **maintain skin tone**.
Rinsing the blade **frequently** helps maintain its effectiveness, ensuring a smoother shave and reducing the risk of irritation.
Step 4: Post-Shaving Care
After shaving, skincare is essential to reduce the after-effects of a sharp razor and thus avoid darkening of the armpit. So, here is what you can do for post-shaving care,
- Apply a thick layer of aloe vera gel on your underarms to soothe the skin immediately and reduce skin redness and inflammation.
- Take a natural oil like olive oil and massage a few drops of the oil on the skin to moisturize the area.
- Apply a non-comedogenic and scent-free lotion to your underarms after shaving to keep the area well-nourished and boost skin recovery.
- Lastly, avoid using products with chemicals as they irritate the skin, stimulate melanin production, and cause darkening of armpits. Such products include aluminum-based antiperspirants and deodorants.
**Aloe vera gel** is known for its soothing properties, making it an excellent choice to **calm the skin** after shaving.
Massaging with **natural oils** can not only moisturize the skin but also promote a healthier appearance by enhancing **skin elasticity**.
Post-shaving care is essential for maintaining skin health and preventing irritation.
Proper post-shaving care can significantly enhance the skin's appearance and comfort.
Avoiding chemical products is crucial to minimize skin irritation and potential darkening.
Choosing natural alternatives may provide a gentler solution for sensitive skin.
Part 3: Home Remedies to Lighten Dark Armpits
To help you regain your confidence, here are the 9 methods you can use to reduce your
These methods can empower you to take control of your skin health.
These methods aim to help you achieve a more even skin tone and enhance your overall confidence.
1. Sodium Bicarbonate Exfoliation
Sodium bicarbonate is one of the major ingredients of bleach. Thus, it has the ability to Lighten the skin tone. However, it also dries the skin out.
While it may help lighten, overuse can lead to dryness and irritation.
While sodium bicarbonate can lighten the skin, it's important to balance its use with moisturizing agents.
Therefore, you can make a sodium bicarbonate scrub by adding a moisturizing oil and water to it. You have to apply it for 15 minutes and then clean it off with lukewarm water.
Always ensure to follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to keep your skin healthy.
2. Use of Essential Oils
The following essential oils have skim-lightening properties and can be used to remove pigmentation caused by shaving,
Incorporating essential oils can be a natural way to support skin health after shaving.
Using essential oils can be a natural way to address pigmentation, but ensure proper dilution to avoid skin irritation.
- Coconut oil
- Almond oil
- Tea tree oil diluted in water
- Egg yolk oil
Among essential oils, coconut oil is popular for its moisturizing properties and is often used in skincare routines.
Similarly, almond oil is valued for its nourishing qualities and can help soothe the skin.
When using tea tree oil diluted in water, it's important to remember its antibacterial properties, which may benefit skin health.
Egg yolk oil is rich in vitamins and nutrients that can promote skin hydration and vitality.
Egg yolk oil is known for its moisturizing properties, which may contribute to overall skin health.
Simply massage a few drops of these oils onto your armpits and leave it overnight. Then, wash it off the next morning with a gentle body wash.
For best results, consider using this routine regularly to maintain skin health and improve appearance.
3. Rice Water
If rice water can give Koreans glass skin, it can surely give you even toned underarms. Make your kojic acid-rich fermented rice water by soaking rice in mineral water overnight. Spray it twice on your underarms every day for a few weeks for desired results.
4. Potato Scrub or Juice
Potato has skin-bleaching properties and is gentle on the skin as compared to sodium bicarbonate. So, slice the potato and rub it on your underarms for 2 to 3 minutes. Then let it dry for 10 minutes and wash it off.
Alternatively, you can use potato juice obtained by grating and squeezing a potato.
5. White Clay Mask
White clay is a natural gentle exfoliating and cleansing agent. It can be mixed with an equal amount of green tea and half the amount of coconut oil to make a skin-brightening white clay mask.
This is because the anti-oxidation properties of green tea with the hydrating effect of coconut oil can effectively reduce hyperpigmentation. So, Apply it on clean skin for about 30 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
6. Turmeric and Lemon Juice
Turmeric can reduce hyperpigmentation of the armpits by reducing the production of melanin in the skin and lemon has bleaching properties. Both of these, when combined 1:1, can provide you with an effective solution to dark underarms.
This combination of turmeric and lemon juice may help to lighten the skin tone of your armpits over time.
Simply, make a lemon juice and turmeric mask, apply a thick layer of the mask on underarms, and leave it on for half an hour.
To maximize effectiveness, ensure that the mask is applied evenly and that you follow up with a moisturizer afterward.
7. Orange Peel Powder Scrub
Orange peel powder has a high content of vitamin C. As an antioxidant, skin-lightening, and anti-inflammatory substance, orange peel powder scrub is used to brighten dark underarms.
The rich vitamin C content in orange peel powder may also promote a brighter and more even skin tone.
For this, mix an equal quantity of rose water and milk and add orange peel powder in a way that a scrub-like mixture is formed. Then, use it to rub your underarms for 3 to 5 minutes and let it be for another 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
8. Aloe Vera Gel and Cucumbers
The skin irritation caused by shaving can be coped with by the application of gentle products like Aleo Vera gel and cucumber use. While both serve as hydrating agents, aloe vera gel is also antimicrobial and cucumbers are full of essential vitamins and minerals.
So, either use both one by one or mix them to make your DIY de-tanning mask. Use it every day for 15 minutes for best results.
Regular use of the DIY de-tanning mask can help achieve noticeable results in skin tone over time.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
The lactic acid content of apple cider vinegar works as a natural chemical exfoliant that accelerates the removal of dead skin cells and impurities from the skin along with stimulating the production of new skin cells.
Fresh skin cells are bright. So, dilute apple cider vinegar or add some baking soda to it to make a paste. Apply this paste to your underarms and remove it once dry.
Using apple cider vinegar can help promote brighter skin by exfoliating dead skin cells, which may assist in achieving an even skin tone.
Part 4: Alternative Hair Removal Methods to Avoid Darkening
Although it is possible to get rid of underarm darkening caused by shaving with the help of skin-lightening home remedies, it is important to note that you have to be patient with the timeline of the results.
Patience is key when using these remedies, as visible results may take several weeks to appear.
So, instead of going to such lengths just to make your armpits even-toned, how about you remove the root cause of hyperpigmentation from shaving?
Addressing the root cause of hyperpigmentation can lead to more effective and lasting results, as it targets the underlying issues rather than just the symptoms.
As frequent shaving causes it, you can use a semi-permanent hair removal method like IPL hair removal that reduces the need for shaving. Ulike Air 10 IPL hair removal handset can help you with making your underarms hairless with the following benefits,
- No chance of underarm darkening as it is gentle on the skin
- Results in significant hair growth reduction in 2 to 3 weeks
- It is sustainable in contrast to razors that create waste
- In the long run, it proves to be more economical as compared to shaving
Gentle methods can help maintain an even skin tone while reducing the risk of irritation and discomfort associated with harsher techniques.
This means that you may enjoy smoother skin with less frequent maintenance, contributing to a more convenient grooming routine.
Choosing sustainable options can also align with eco-friendly practices, making them a responsible choice for both your skin and the environment.
Considering long-term costs, methods that reduce hair growth can save you money on shaving supplies and products over time.
Conclusion
Shaving your armpits can make them darker by causing skin irritation, increasing the production of melanin, and giving way to ingrown hair and product buildup.
To avoid darkening the armpits, you have to follow a proper pre-, per, and post-shaving routine as mentioned in this article. Furthermore, you can use natural remedies including skin-lightening and hydrating ingredients to brighten the dark underarms.
Incorporating a consistent routine not only helps prevent darkening but also supports overall skin health, making it an important aspect of underarm care.
