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Original poster

Dark armpits - any solutions?

32 replies

Ceebee74 · 27/03/2010 20:50

Even when I shave my armpits, they look dark and from a distance like I haven't shaved them - it is very embarrassing

I love summer and love wearing sleeveless tops (as I get hot very easily) but they just look awful.

Went to an aerobics class at the gym in a sleeveless top this morning and I was so self-conscious.

Is there anything I can do?? Please????

OP posts:
BariatricObama · 27/03/2010 20:52

wax

navyeyelasH · 27/03/2010 20:58

What is causing the darkness?? Hair or different skin colour? If the former wax, if the later then spray tan?

Original poster
Ceebee74 · 27/03/2010 21:02

Why would wax make a difference? Is it the shaving that is doing it?

Navy it is the skin that is a differenct colour - like a 5 o'clock shadow I guess

OP posts:
Nymphadora · 27/03/2010 21:03

I get that, even when I have them waxed

mistressploppy · 27/03/2010 21:05

I think if the skin looks dark even after shaving, it's because the roots are showing through the skin - if you wax, the roots are removed too so this won't happen.

Original poster
Ceebee74 · 27/03/2010 21:22

I thought this might be a common problem with an easy solution but I guess not

OP posts:
Ondine · 27/03/2010 21:46

Wax or eplilate is really the only solution as like others have said it's the roots that are causing the darkness.

If it's your skin that is dark you can use Jolene body hair bleach to lighten but I wouldn't do it all the time. I use it on my elbows in the summer as they are always a bit ashy coloured.

BelaLugosiNoir · 27/03/2010 22:18

It is not necessarily roots causing this, it can also be a dermatological condition called Acanthosis Nigricans. There are many causes - it would seem some beauticians will suggest Retin-A.
Mostly I avoid going completely sleeveless or if it's that hot, not raising my arms. Not much help I'm afraid but you're not alone

Monadami · 28/03/2010 04:31

You can get them bleached. Waxing or epilating does reduce this darkening effect as previously mentioned.

BitOfFun · 28/03/2010 04:37

Who gives a shit? Honestly.

Bonsoir · 28/03/2010 09:23

You can have your underarm hair lasered away permanently. I have friends with dark underarm hair (and other dark body hair) who have had this done very successfully.

said · 28/03/2010 13:16

But to wax you need to leave it to grow for a while, surely? Agree about who really gives a shit. Everyone knows we all really have underarm hair. Embrace the Neneh look

cocolepew · 28/03/2010 13:19

Nobody but you notices, do you go around looking at other peoples armpits? It's no big deal.

flumperoo · 28/03/2010 13:50

In Thailand pretty much all cosmetics have whitening agent in them, even deodorant! This probably isn't much use to you though unless you know someone going on holiday there

SugarTits · 28/03/2010 15:28

My dh's underarms are like this and obviously he doesn't shave or wax them. It's just the colour of the skin there, he showers at least once a day - so he's clean. I guess it's just one of those things, have you asked your GP about it?

Original poster
Ceebee74 · 28/03/2010 15:41

I do care about it - easy to say 'who gives a sh*t' if it isn't you that is self-conscious about it

Sugartits I haven't been to the GP's as it seems a cosmetic thing so thought there may be a cosmetic solution iyswim. It doesn't look bad when I look at my armpits from close distance but from a distance it does look bad.

Maybe I will try the waxing and see if that makes a difference

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 28/03/2010 15:46

ceebee...are you very dark-skinned generally ?

I am sure nobody is taking a blind bit of notice, tbh...too worried about their own hang-ups, ya see

fuzzywuzzy · 28/03/2010 15:50

MY sister used to get this, we then started a process of elimination, and it looks like for her it was the depilatory cream she used under her arms which her skin seemed ot ereact agianst, she uses wax now and has also changed ehr deodrant, she uses a crystal deodrant as opposedot regular roll ons/sprays.

and it has worked.

foxytocin · 28/03/2010 15:54

a lot of perfumes will cause skin to darken as a reaction to them. a lot of deodorants contain perfume.

try using a deodorant which is perfume free. crystal blocks are like this.

thelunar66 · 28/03/2010 16:21

I used to get this with shaving. Not a problem now I use an epilator. Even when the hair starts to grow a bit, it's hardly visible due to being finer.

Original poster
Ceebee74 · 28/03/2010 16:22

Foxytocin no I am quite pale so I guess that makes it even more noticeable.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceebee74 · 28/03/2010 16:23

Sorry that should have been to any

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 28/03/2010 16:25

maybe try bleaching then ?

although I don't like the sound of it, tbh

they are just underarms, ain't they ?

BitOfFun · 28/03/2010 18:59

I didn't mean to sound dismissive of you, Ceebee. All I mean is that if you appeared over the horizon waving your hands aloft, I can guarantee you that my first thought would not be "Ooh, those armpits look a tad dark!". It would even be my fifth or sixth thought.

I have noticed a rash of deodorant adverts recently though that seem to imply that now we women need to worry about having a beautiful underarm area. But I suppose they make some of their money out of stoking up female insecurities.

Seriously- what's the next non-issue body part we are going to have to start primping? Unsightly nostrils?

AnyFucker · 28/03/2010 19:07

I have never liked the look of the backs of my knees

is there a product I can buy to make them look better ????

I should invent one...it could make me millions !

ceebee...do you get what BOF is saying ?