Black Armpit, Causes and How to Eliminate it

Although not always visible, black armpits can interfere with self-confidence, especially in women. During this time, many people assume that the black armpit is caused by the habit of shaving the armpit. Though black armpits can be caused by various things. Therefore, the way to overcome them also varies. Armpit skin color should be the same as skin color on other body parts. But in some people, the skin on the armpits can look black. Well, this black armpit skin can make some people, especially women, become insecure. This is because the black armpits are considered unsightly and disturbing appearance, especially when wearing clothes that do not cover the arm (tank top).

Some Causes of Black Armpits

There are several conditions that cause the armpit to become black, including:

1. Underarm skin irritation

One of the most common causes of black underarm skin is often removing underarm hair by shaving or pulling underarm hair. This can make the skin easily irritated and trigger excessive melanocyte production. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells or the skin's natural color (melanin).

2. Bacterial infection

Black underarm skin can be caused by a bacterial infection Corynebacterium minutissimum. This bacterium usually thrives if you sweat a lot, live in a humid environment, do not maintain bodily hygiene, or suffer from certain diseases, such as diabetes and obesity.

3. Pregnancy

Some pregnant women can experience changes or skin disorders, and one of them is black underarm skin. This is likely caused by changes in pregnancy hormones that stimulate increased melanin production. Blackened skin color will usually fade within a few months after giving birth.

4. Acanthosis nigricans

Black underarm skin can also be caused by a disease called acanthosis nigricans. People who have this condition will experience skin thickening and darker skin discoloration. The appearance was not only in the armpits, but also in the neck, face, body, stomach, arms, and around the groin. Acanthosis nigricans can be caused by several factors, such as:

• Overweight or obese.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Hormonal disorders, such as thyroid disease, Cushing's syndrome, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Side effects of drugs that can affect hormones, such as birth control pills and corticosteroids.

If its appearance gets heavier in a short period of time, then acanthosis nigricans may be associated with cancer, such as gastric cancer and liver cancer.

How to get rid of black armpits

To get rid of black armpits, it must first be known in advance what causes the appearance of black underarms. If caused by a bacterial infection, the use of antibiotic drugs can be the solution. In addition to treatment, to help get rid of black armpits, try doing the following tips:

Prevent underarm skin irritation

If you often shave your armpits, try taking a warm shower first and use a shaving cream or gel when you want to shave so that the skin does not easily irritate the armpits. If underarm skin is often irritated after using deodorant (antiperspirant), try replacing deodorant with a deodorant type without fragrance or stop using deodorant for a while.

Use natural ingredients

Some natural ingredients are believed to overcome blackened underarm skin. You can use natural masks from cucumbers, lemons, turmeric, coconut oil, or orange peels. How to make the armpit mask is quite easy. First, the ingredients are sliced, softened, or made into juice, then put on the armpits. After that, wait until a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.

Wear clothes that absorb sweat

Excessive sweating can cause irritation to the armpit skin. Hot temperatures and humidity on the skin of the armpits plus the lack of maintaining cleanliness of the body can also facilitate germs to flourish in the armpits. As a result, underarm skin can become black. To prevent this from happening, wear clothes that are comfortable and can absorb sweat, and don't forget to take a shower every time your body sweats or gets dirty. For black underarm skin caused by acanthosis nigricans, the treatment can be by treating the cause or root of the problem, for example if it is caused by obesity, then the treatment is to lose weight. For black armpits caused by hormonal abnormalities, medications can be used to improve hormone levels. In addition, depending on the diagnosis, your doctor may also recommend the use of creams containing hydroquinone, tretinoin, corticosteroids, azaleic acid, AHAs, or kojic acid to treat black armpits. In addition to medication, treatment with laser therapy and dermabrasion can also be an option. If the black armpit makes you feel annoyed or uncomfortable, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist, so that you can be given the right treatment.