A condition called acanthosis nigricans is usually responsible for dark armpits, but hyperpigmentation, accumulation of dead skin cells or shaving can also be to blame.
Obesity and hyperinsulinemia are generally the underlying cause of acanthosis nigricans, according to the Dermatology Online Journal, or DOJ. Hyperinsulinemia refers to higher than normal levels of insulin in the blood, a condition commonly seen in, but not limited to, patients with type 2 diabetes.
As the DOJ reports, treatment of dark armpits is typically accomplished only by returning to a healthy weight and, as a result, having more normal insulin levels. This requires healthier eating practices and increased physical activity.
Step 1
Wax or pluck your armpit hair instead of shaving it. Sometimes, shaved underarm hair shows from just beneath the surface of the skin, creating the appearance of dark patches, explains the Beauty Brains website.
Step 2
Exfoliate daily under your arms with a loofah to remove any buildup of dead skin cells that may be causing the discoloration. You can also apply exfoliating creams made with ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid or others.
Step 3
Apply an over-the-counter or prescription topical skin lightening agent to your armpits as directed by the package or your doctor. Products made with retinoids can be an effective option for treating acanthosis nigricans, according to MayoClinic.com. This helps fade the discoloration while more long-term strategies are underway.
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology suggests prescription hydroquinone creams for hyperpigmentation.
Step 4
Cut out empty calories from soda, sports drinks and junk food gradually. You'll be more successful if you let yourself become accustomed to dietary changes over time, rather than drastically change habits all at once. For example, replace one daily soda with a glass of water, then replace a second soda the next week. Eliminate one daily snack at a time and replace it with fruit, vegetables or nuts.
Step 5
Eat a low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate and high-fiber diet. Carbohydrates must be complex versions, such as those found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Most of these are naturally high in fiber. Rice University identifies this as the optimal diet for controlling elevated insulin levels.
Step 6
Pay attention to your body's signal that you're full. Most overweight people continue to eat after they are sated, notes the Nemours Foundation. Learning to eat only when you're hungry is an important step in successful weight loss. Similarly, avoid emotional eating and eating out of boredom.
Step 7
Begin aerobic and weight-training exercises for weight loss. You don't need to join a gym, but do need to incorporate more physical activity into your daily and weekly schedule. Be sure to consult your physician first about how much you can do safely, and focus on building up to more strenuous workouts.
Step 8
Undergo a cosmetic procedure that can lighten the appearance of your underarm skin. Dermabrasion, which uses a rapidly rotating device to abrade the surface of the skin, and laser therapy, which burns off skin imperfections with a laser beam, are effective remedies for darkened skin from acanthosis nigricans or hyperpigmentation.
Tips and Warnings
- Inform your friends and family about your decision to lose weight. Accountability and support are important parts of a successful effort, as the Nemours Foundation points out. You can try a do-it-yourself home dermabrasion kit to remedy your dark underarms. However, dermabrasion is generally safer and more effective when performed by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. Fish oil supplements may be of use in the treatment of acanthosis nigricans, suggests MayoClinic.com.
- Starch and sugar contribute significantly to elevated insulin levels and to acanthosis nigricans, and need to be limited, cautions MayoClinic.com. Be careful, as some complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, beans and many cereals are high in starch. Avoid fad diets and diet pills. Both are potentially unhealthy, and neither lead to successful, sustainable weight loss, notes the Nemours Foundation.
Things You'll Need
- Hair wax
- Loofah
- Exfoliating cream
- Skin lightener
References
- "Acanthosis Nigricans in Obese Patients: Presentations and Implications for Prevention of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease"; Aaron S. Katz, M.D., et. al. Dermatology Online Journal 6(1): 1.
- Mayo Clinic: Acanthosis Nigricans
- The Beauty Brains: Top 5 Causes of Darkened Armpits
- Rice University's SportsMedWeb: Insulin, Diet, Disease and Athletes
- TeensHealth: Nemours: How Can I Lose Weight Safely?
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