Dark underarms result from a condition known as acanthosis nigricans, which usually stems from elevated insulin levels and is closely associated with obesity, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, or AOCD. This form of hyperpigmentation isn't technically a disease or disorder, as the New Zealand Dermatological Society, or NZDS, explains; rather, it is more accurately a symptom of underlying health concerns. For this reason, you should consult a doctor about your dark underarms.
Check Your Medication Labels
Sometimes dark underarms are nothing more than a side effect of a prescription you're taking. In these instances, which NZDS classifies as rare, cessation of the medication is the only treatment for the condition. Prescriptions known to cause drug-induced acanthosis nigricans include insulin, nicotinic acid, oral contraceptives and other hormone treatments, and systemic corticosteroids. Large doses of niacin can also cause dark underarms, notes the Mayo Clinic.
Manage Your Weight and Insulin Levels
As obesity and elevated insulin levels are the most common causes of acanthosis nigricans, successfully bringing down your weight and insulin levels are the most common solutions. Cutting back on foods high in starch and sugar is particularly useful for managing insulin levels and remedying dark underarms, according to AOCD.
The NZDS reminds you that besides watching your diet, medication may be needed to cope with hyperinsulinaemia. Darkened armpits sometimes manifest as a symptom of type 2 diabetes, notes the Mayo Clinic, so carefully managing this condition is the proper remedy in these cases.
Try a Topical or Oral Treatment
While treating the underlying cause of your acanthosis nigricans is usually necessary to remedy dark underarms, there are some topical and oral treatments available that can help the process. Prescription bleaching creams made from hydroquinone are a standard solution, as DermaDoctor explains. However, these products can take up to a year to be effective.
Less potent, over-the-counter skin lightening cosmetic products are available as well, and the Mayo Clinic suggests trying those derived from vitamin A. Other options offered by OACD include urea, alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid or salicylic acid. The Mayo Clinic also specifies fish oil supplements and the medication isotretinoin as beneficial for lightening armpits.
Consider a Cosmetic Procedure
Two cosmetic procedures in particular are used to treat acanthosis nigricans, according to the Mayo Clinic: dermabrasion and laser therapy. The former uses a rapidly rotating blade to basically sand off layers of affected skin. The latter uses laser beams to burn off the affected skin.
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