The purpose: clean, hairless underarms. The issue? The darkish, shadowy underarms that outcome while you shave — and it’s not a five-o’clock shadow, however an precise darkening of the pores and skin. So what even is that this, precisely?
We spoke to consultants to search out out why post-shaving darkness happens, methods to forestall it, and ideas for treating it.
The traits of underarm pores and skin
The pores and skin on the underarms is exclusive as a result of it’s softer, thinner and extra delicate in comparison with different areas of the physique, stated Dr. Kautilya Shaurya, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Sometimes called an intertriginous space, or part of the physique the place two pores and skin surfaces rub in opposition to one another, the underarms are liable to chafing, particularly should you are inclined to sweat closely otherwise you put on tight clothes.
Additionally, as a result of the underarms have folds, this will result in trapped moisture and micro organism, which make the world liable to irritation. “The underarms have a excessive focus of sweat glands and hair follicles, which implies that the pores and skin right here experiences extra friction and is extra delicate to sure actions like shaving or utilizing deodorants,” Shaurya stated.
Why do armpits look darkish after shaving?
“Hyperpigmentation within the armpits is commonly the results of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” stated Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York.
On this case, aggressive shaving can “traumatise the hair follicles, resulting in irritation, irritation and, subsequently, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” stated Dr. David Li, a board-certified dermatologist.
Shaving with out a lubricant (reminiscent of shaving cream, physique wash or cleaning soap) will also be the wrongdoer. As Shaurya defined, this will increase the friction between the razor and the pores and skin, inflicting extra irritation, nicks and cuts that result in irritation and, ultimately, hyperpigmentation. “Lubricants assist the razor glide easily over the pores and skin, minimising injury and the danger of darkening,” he added. Shaving with no lubricant may trigger painful pink bumps and rashes.
Your pores and skin tone and hair texture can play a job in post-shaving hyperpigmentation, too. “If somebody’s baseline pores and skin tone is darker, this implies they’ve extra melanin within the pores and skin, which implies that extra melanin is launched after trauma or microabrasions to the pores and skin,” Li stated. Equally, thicker hairs, in addition to curly or coiled hair, could also be extra liable to shaving irritation and subsequent discolouration.
Lastly, irritating or drying components in antiperspirants and deodorants can doubtlessly trigger irritation adopted by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, King stated. “The potential for irritation could also be elevated if these merchandise are utilized to freshly shaved pores and skin.”
How you can forestall darkish armpits after shaving
Some folks have a genetic predisposition to hyperpigmentation. Even so, there are just a few guidelines of thumb you may comply with with regards to shaving the underarms. All the time be certain to shave with a clear, sharp razor, since a boring razor can create friction because it tries to chop down the hair. “The result’s a tugging movement on the base of the hair shaft and the hair follicle, which may create irritation and result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” Li stated.
Earlier than shaving, King recommends spending about 10 minutes in heat water to assist soften the outer layer of pores and skin, which makes it simpler to take away the hair and reduces the danger of razor burn. It’s additionally good to softly and evenly exfoliate with a heat moist washcloth or a delicate scrub containing exfoliants — this helps launch any ingrown hairs caught beneath the floor of useless pores and skin previous to shaving, King stated. In the event you’re shaving your underarms when you’re out of the bathe, be certain to take away any product on this space, reminiscent of deodorant, and use some kind of lubricant.
Whereas shaving, it is best to at all times use brief, mild strokes and transfer within the course of hair development. Keep away from doing a number of passes on the identical space, since that may trigger ingrown hairs and trauma to the pores and skin, Shaurya stated. And at all times make sure you’re utilizing a clear, sharp razor.
When it comes to aftercare, wait at the very least 15 to half-hour earlier than making use of deodorant to permit the pores and skin to get better. “Use a delicate moisturiser or a post-shave balm with calming components like aloe vera, glycerin or vitamin E to hydrate the pores and skin and scale back irritation,” Shaurya stated. “Additionally, keep away from merchandise with alcohol or robust fragrances, as they are often drying.”
How you can deal with darkish armpits
If there’s no hormonal or genetic element to your underarm darkness and it’s really attributable to shaving-related trauma or irritation, there are just a few methods to deal with it. Underarm brightening lotions with components like niacinamide, kojic acid or vitamin C may help lighten darkish spots and even out the pores and skin tone, Shaurya stated. Simply know that outcomes can take time, and it’s at all times good to patch take a look at the product to make sure it’s appropriate together with your pores and skin kind.
Skilled remedies, reminiscent of microdermabrasion or laser remedy, will also be efficient in addressing extra persistent hyperpigmentation, Shaurya stated. And sustaining correct hygiene and lowering friction by carrying free, breathable clothes can forestall additional darkening.
You may also think about a unique type of hair removing. Waxing, which removes hair from the basis, and laser hair removing, which targets the hair follicle and reduces hair development over time, are much less prone to trigger pores and skin darkening as a result of they don’t contain repetitive irritation like shaving, Shaurya stated. If all else fails, it might be price a go to to a board-certified dermatologist for an individualised therapy plan.
