Now that summer is almost here, it’s time to dig out all those strappy sundresses, tank tops and let your arms breathe. This also means that you have to bid farewell to no-shave November. But as necessary as this grooming ritual is for clean and smooth underarms, it also gives rise to another problem. I am talking about dark underarms.
Darkening of the skin of the underarms is quite a common phenomenon, which affects about 74 percent of the world’s population. There are various reasons as to why it occurs, such as obesity, certain medicines which can turn the skin dark, insulin resistance, etc (1). Regular shaving and use of depilation creams also contribute to this. Even though it’s not problematic in itself, this can cause a lot of embarrassment to one. In an effort to remedy this, many people turn to expensive cosmetic procedures. While that does offer them some relief, it also burns a hole in their pocket.
We are here to offer you an inexpensive solution to this problem by giving you home remedies which make use of baking soda and other commonly available kitchen ingredients to give you smooth, bright, and even-toned underarms. Here they are:
1. Baking Soda And Honey Scrub
Honey is a common ingredient in a lot of home remedies that are meant to treat skin-related issues. This is partly due to its anti-microbial properties and partly due to the fact that it’s a great conditioning agent (2). While baking soda works to whiten the skin, honey makes it smoother (3).
To prepare this scrub, you will need the ingredients in the following measurements:
- One tablespoon of baking soda
- Four tablespoons of honey
- Two tablespoons of rose water
Preparation And Use
- Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them well to form a thick paste.
- Apply this paste to your underarms by massaging it with your fingertips. Rub it gently so as to exfoliate the skin.
- Leave it on for 10–15 minutes.
- Following this, wash it off by rinsing it with lukewarm water, and pat it dry. Use this remedy twice a week for best results.
2. Turmeric, Gram Flour, And Baking Soda Scrub
Turmeric is a staple in Indian skincare rituals due to the host of benefits it gives to our skin. It’s anti-inflammatory properties help in healing sores, whereas the curcuminoid pigments present in it help in delaying the signs of aging (4). It also helps in making skin tone even and is commonly used as a whitening agent.
To prepare this scrub, you will need the ingredients in the following measurements:
- One teaspoon of gram flour
- One teaspoon of turmeric
- One teaspoon of baking soda
Preparation And Use
- Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them well. Add a little water and blend well using a hand blender (you can also blend it manually, using a spoon).
- Apply it on your underarms by gently massaging it with your fingertips in order to exfoliate the skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
- Clear the dried up paste by rinsing it off with water. Pat the area dry. You can also use a mild cleanser with fragrance if the smell bothers you.
- Use this remedy twice a week to get the best results.
3. Tomato And Baking Soda Scrub
This flavorful fruit (yes, technically tomato is a fruit) can work wonders when it comes to clarifying and healing skin. It contains a high percentage of vitamin C and potassium which help in restoring the skin and giving it a healthy glow. It can also work as an astringent, thereby preventing the occurrences of blackheads (5).
To prepare this scrub, you will need the ingredients in the following measurements:
- Two tablespoons of baking soda
- A medium-sized tomato
Preparation And Use
- Grind the tomato in a blender to obtain a thick pulp.
- Transfer the pulp to a container and add the baking soda to it. Mix them well to get a thick paste. You can also use a hand blender to mix them properly.
- Now apply the thick paste on the affected areas of your underarms and leave it to dry for about ten minutes.
- Wash it off with cold water. You can also use a mild cleanser. Pat it dry.
- Repeat this procedure twice a week to get the best results.
These homemade remedies are gentle on both your skin as well as your pocket. Regular use of them can give you smooth and clear underarms. Now, you can strut around in those strappy tops without any worries.
Try these remedies and tell us how it worked out for you. In case, you don’t notice any difference despite using these remedies, we suggest you consult a dermatologist.
If you know of any other home remedies that can whiten dark underarms, let us know in the comments section.
