There are vitamins good for your underarms?!
Are you proud of your pits? In a study conducted by Dove, 87% of Filipinas think that their underarms can be a beauty asset; however, more than half rank their armpits as one of the three body parts that they are unhappiest with. In addition, studies show that women are generally super conscious of their underarms, so much so that it affects their outfit choices, moods, actions, and ultimately, their confidence.
Have you ever shied away from playing beach volleyball or raising your arms in wild abandon at a concert? How often have you passed over that cute cami or sleeveless dress in your wardrobe, just because your underarms weren’t ready for public viewing? Don’t let your insecurity over embarrassing underarms ruin your mood or OOTD (outfit of the day)! Here are practical tips for smooth, fair, and beautiful underarms:
1. Proper hygiene
Dead skin cells and sweat can accumulate and get trapped beneath the skin, causing dark spots and bumpy “chicken skin.” Remedy? Keep underarms clean and dry at all times, and gently slough off dead skin cells by exfoliating once a week.
2. No sweat
Damp, moist places (like sweaty armpits!) are a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause body odor and skin darkening. Make sure that your grooming product is not just a deodorant (which simply masks body odor), but an anti-perspirant, too.
3. Vitamin Power
Certain vitamins are believed to help curb excessive sweating and body odor, including Vitamin B12, zinc and magnesium which flush odor-causing toxins—so eat a balanced diet and don’t miss your daily dose of multi-vitamin supplements! Meanwhile, Vitamin C and Vitamin A help address hyperpigmentation (a condition that causes skin darkening), and can either be ingested orally or applied topically (consult your doctor on what’s best for you).
Also read: Put Your Hands Up In The Air!
4. Ditch that razor
When you shave your underarms, you’re probably scraping a good amount of skin along with hair, causing irritation, dryness, and (eek!) underarm discoloration. You’ll also have to deal with unsightly stubble in between shaves, which gives the impression of dark underarms. Switch to waxing, which removes hair from the root to leave you hairless longer, is gentler on the skin, and leaves skin feeling smoother; or even better, try permanent hair removal!
5. Smooth Operator
If you can’t kick the shaving habit, be kind to your delicate underarms by using a moisturizing deodorant to soften and soothe skin.
6. Deo Habits
Never apply deodorant immediately after shaving or waxing—it’s like applying chemicals on an open wound and will surely irritate your skin. As much as possible, groom your armpits in the evening when you sweat less and don’t need to apply deodorant.
Also read: Put An End To Underarm Problems
7. Rubbing You The Wrong Way
Friction with underarms (wearing tight tops, overzealously applying roll-on) can cause skin darkening. Be sure to wear cool, breathable fabrics that don’t chafe against your skin. To lessen skin contact, you may also choose to switch from a stick or roll-on deo to a spray variant (remember to hold spray at least 6 inches from your underarms).
8. Whitening Vitamins
Antioxidant-rich Vitamin E has been said to aid skin whitening and smoothening, while Vitamin F is a combination of fatty acids which are known to contribute to proper skin barrier function. Look for deo products infused with Vitamin E and F to help repair skin, fade dark spots and lock in vital moisture.
9. Pure Protection
Dark underarms, rashes, redness and allergic reactions may be caused by chemicals in hair removal creams and grooming products, or experimenting with every whitening scrub/harsh soap/miracle peel in the market. When your skin is extra sensitive, treat it with TLC by switching to a non-scented, hypoallergenic, paraben-free deo that is gentle on skin.
10. Derma to the rescue
Tried all of the above, to no avail? Sometimes, skin darkening is triggered by things beyond your control, like hormonal fluctuations, medical conditions, and taking certain medication. It’s best to chat with your derma for a safe and effective underarm treatment for you.
Also read: Lighten Your Body's Dark Spots
