Why is armpit dark

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Is this cause for concern? Common areas of darkening include the: armpits back of the neck groin elbows knees Your skin might also itch or have a foul odor in those areas. Keep reading to learn more about why this happens and what you can do.

How is it treated? When to see your doctor. Read this next. How to Lighten Underarms. Medically reviewed by Owen Kramer, MD. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. To prevent the discoloration, you can try using an epilator or waxing instead of shaving to remove your hair, as both of those options pull hair from the root instead of just the surface level. Alternatively, you can just stop shaving and embrace your body hair.

It's really up to you. To get rid of discoloration that's already there, you could talk to your doctor about laser treatment, which studies have found to be a generally safe and effective option. Acanthosis nigricans AN is "a skin condition that causes one or more areas of skin to darken and thicken ," and sometimes the affected skin will have a velvety feel, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

This darkening can happen in the underarms, but it can discolor other areas of the body as well, such as the back of the neck, your elbows and knees, or even underneath your breasts.

It's most commonly associated with obesity, as the discoloration happens as a result of increased sugar in the body. While the condition itself isn't contagious or dangerous, AN can be an early indicator of potentially life-threatening conditions, such as diabetes or even cancer in extreme cases. Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a doc if you notice your skin darkening in any of these areas, "especially if the changes appear suddenly.

Nazarian confirms, particularly if the discoloration comes with "other changes, such as weight gain, changes in your period regularity, new hair growth, or other things that may indicate an endocrine abnormality. AN is a common early indicator of Type 2 diabetes, in which the body doesn't process insulin as it should , according to the American Diabetes Association. The ADA explains that as someone with Type 2 tries to process insulin, their body could produce more pigment, leading to the darker skin.

Contact your doc ASAP if discoloration happens quickly, especially if you have any other early symptoms of insulin resistance. Your underarms probably won't be the first place your skin darkens if you do have diabetes, though. As I previously mentioned, some people develop AN when they have cancer, though these cases are extremely rare. In these patients, the skin darkens as a result of a malignant tumor that is growing in the stomach, liver, or other internal organ.

Some people choose to embrace their hairs, while others never miss a laser appointment. Some prefer spraying on an antiperspirant over swiping on a natural deodorant stick. There's also a difference in the way people approach hyperpigmentation, or darkened skin, under their arms. This natural and very common occurrence can leave some unbothered, while others are looking for a way to even out the skin in that area.

As the saying goes: To each their own. If you are looking to brighten the skin under your arms, you've likely come across a few time-lapse videos on Instagram of quick, do-it-yourself hacks, like lemon masks and sugar scrubs.

But are those natural ingredients actually effective? We turned to dermatologists to answer all our armpit hyperpigmentation questions, ahead. Why do we get dark armpits? Darkened skin in the underarm area is very common and can happen for a number of reasons, according to dermatologist Sheel Desai Solomon, MD. Darker pigmentation under the arms can be genetic, just like many other skin changes. Dermatologist Candrice Heath, MD, also notes that those with darker skin are more likely to get darkened armpits as they are more prone to hyperpigmentation.

Your health can also play a role in skin changes. We use cookies on our website to give you the best shopping experience. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. Shop All. Bar Soap. Hand Care. Special Offer.