Dark underarms

[Racheyg]

Recently I have noticed my under arms have got really dark.

I don't shave and get them waxed. I use roll on, could it be that?

They are that bad I'm considering bleaching but DH thinks I'm being ridiculous

Any tips?

[DianaT1969]

Have you been checked for pre-diabetes mellitus? That can present as dark skin in the armpit. Best to catch it early as it is caused by too much insulin. Some people who have it also have skin tags. Of course it may not be that.

[DianaT1969]

Sorry, I forgot to say, please don't bleach it.

[Estrellente]

Watching with interest as me too!

[askmehowiknow]

@DianaT1969

Have you been checked for pre-diabetes mellitus? That can present as dark skin in the armpit. Best to catch it early as it is caused by too much insulin. Some people who have it also have skin tags. Of course it may not be that.

This!

[GrumpyHoonMain]

Are you white? If not then some darkening with age is inevitable. The best thing is to ensure you apply spf 50 there if you wear anything shorter sleeved than your forearm.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Apparently it is a sign of metabolic syndrome/pre diabetes. Now is your diet/health?.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

*how

[DianaT1969]

I believe another name for it is Acanthosis Nigricans. Caused by rapid turnover of the skin making the skin thicker and melatonin causing darker patches.
If your GP confirms it is that, it can definitely be turned around by diet and lowering insulin production (intermittent fasting has good results).

[Hairthrowaway]

I had this after a reaction hair removal (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Luckily it naturally fades over time, but I’ve been using rose hip oil to boost it.

[Hairthrowaway]

Reaction to hair removal*

[Hairthrowaway]

Ohh forgot to add, I got PIH after waxing! So it could be waxing which is the cause of your issue.

[Racheyg]

Thank you all for your replies just to answer them all.
I'm 38 (just turned on Tuesday) and white. I have put weight on I'm 12 stone at the moment. 3 years ago I was about 9st. My diet is bad I yo yo weight.

This has worried me a little, I'll book an appointment at my gp I don't want to be pre diabetic at 38.

I wax every 6 weeks (apart from lockdown) and did have laser hair removal about 4 years ago but it didn't work

[Newbiehere123]

I had dark underarms. I'm olive skin and naturally have dark hair but once I started a laser hair removal sessions the colour tone on my under arm went back to a natural colour. I think it's got to do with waxing and shaving. Waxing aggregates the skin and shaving leaves stubble hair after a few hours as mine grew very quickly

[littlerose12345]

Hello
Just wanted to see if you found out what caused it OP? I have something similar ATM.

[Kjr33]

Have you tried a gentle chemical exfoliant? A pha maybe? Obviously rule out all medical things first