What Causes Dark Armpits?

Ask most women what some of their body hang-ups are and chances are you’ll get this answer: “I hate how my underarms look dark and discolored.” This is something very common with darker-skin women due to the higher melanin concentration in our skin. Mela-what? Here’s a quick biology lesson for you: Melanin refers to the natural pigments found in our skin that when triggered causes skin to become darker as a way of protection. Yay for skin protection; boo for the uneven skin it leaves behind. 

When it comes to your armpits, it is melanin that causes the area to become darker either through external assault or internal aggression. What exactly are these aggressions? Here are four of the most common ones that are leaving you with undesirable underarms.


1. Hormonal changes
Periodically, your body goes through hormonal changes, like when you get pregnant. This causes your body to increase the production of melanin, leading to blotchiness, uneven skin tone, and skin darkening on the upper lip, nose and yes, your underarms as well. Sometimes the discoloration goes away. But if you’re unlucky, it may stay on even after your pregnancy.

2. Excessive rubbing
The skin on your underarms is constantly rubbing against something. When this happens, it results in hyperkeratosis, which is the thickening of the skin that’s mean to provide protective against irritation. With hyperkeratosis comes hyperpigmentation, also known as discoloration. 

Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can prevent this due to anatomy of your underarms. But you can minimize the friction. Avoid wearing rough clothing that can aggravate your underarm skin. Also, try to wear more loose clothes that minimize this contact. 

3. Bacteria
Microorganisms thrive on the dark and sweaty conditions of your underarms. They break down the sweat, resulting in body odor. And if that’s not enough to concern you, this will: When this process takes place, it causes a more serious problem that is erythrasma. This refers to a chronic infection in the deeper layers of your underarm skin, which then leads to the formation of rough, discolored skin that is red in the first place but slowly changes to become brown.

4. Shaving
Know how your guy’s stubble looks dark and rough by the evening? Well, the same is happening to your underarm skin if shaving is your preferred method for hair removal. Underarm hair that has been shaved tends to be darker and coarser. Yes, like the five o’clock stubbles. This is visible even underneath the surface of your skin, causing the area to have a shadow and unevenness. 

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