Aarti stopped wearing sleeveless clothes when she was 24. It wasn’t because she didn’t like the way they looked or because she was worried about being modest; it was because she was getting more and more uncomfortable with her dark underarms. She had tried everything over the years, from skin-whitening deodorants to pricey lightening serums to traditional DIY cures using lemon and turmeric. None of them worked.
Aarti comments, “I thought it was bad self-care.” “But later, a doctor told me that my dark underarms weren’t a hygiene problem; they were a sign of hormonal imbalance.”
enough women and men know this story, but not enough people talk about it with the seriousness it deserves. People often think that dark underarms, knees, neck folds, and inner thighs are just cosmetic issues, but medical study suggests that these can be early symptoms of metabolic or hormonal problems.
Why do underarms get dark?
Underarm hyperpigmentation is the medical term for darkening of the underarms. It’s not just a skin problem; it’s typically your body’s way of warning you about something more serious going on.
A skin disorder termed Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is one of the most common causes. Healthline and a 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology say that as many as 74% of persons with Acanthosis Nigricans also have insulin resistance.
This indicates that the darkened skin isn’t caused by filth or poor hygiene; it’s caused by too much insulin, which makes skin cells (keratinocytes) grow faster and make more melanin, the pigment that makes your skin darker.
Is it normal for your underarms to be dark?
Friction, tight clothes, or shaving can sometimes cause skin to change color. But if the pigmentation keeps getting worse or doesn’t go away, especially if it spreads to other parts of the body like the neck, crotch, or knuckles, it could be a sign of:
- Resistance to insulin
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Being overweight Having type 2 diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Hormonal imbalance
WebMD says that Acanthosis Nigricans is often the first indicator of insulin resistance, which can develop to Type 2 diabetes if not treated
The Real Reasons for Dark Armpits: Friction, Hormones, and Melanin
First things first, having black underarms doesn’t mean you don’t clean yourself well.
In fact, cleaning too hard, shaving too often, and using strong deodorants may make the discoloration worse. When tight clothes rub against your skin, they induce low-grade inflammation that lasts for a long time. This makes melanin production go up. Obesity makes skin folds and insulin levels rise, which makes the perfect place for underarm darkening to happen.
If you have PCOS, a common endocrine illness that affects up to 10% of women around the world, your underarms are even more likely to get dark because of changes in your hormones. High levels of androgens, irregular ovulation, and insulin resistance are all variables that make this happen.
Dark Underarms: It’s More Than Just Skin Deep
A lot of individuals still think that dark underarms are just a cosmetic problem. Sadly, the beauty and skincare business takes advantage of this false idea. A Statista analysis says that the worldwide skin-lightening business was valued more than $8.3 billion in 2021. There has been a big rise in the number of products that whiten underarms and private areas, especially in Asia and Africa.
But how much does this “beauty standard” cost?
Dr. Roshni Deshmukh, a dermatologist from Mumbai, told India Today that “many underarm whitening creams contain harmful substances like hydroquinone, mercury, or unregulated steroids.” “These may work for a short time, but they hurt the skin barrier and often cause rebound pigmentation.”
These products also take your mind off the real problem, which could be a medical ailment like diabetes or PCOS.
When to Go to the Doctor Instead of the Dermatologist
If you see darkening in more than one place, including your underarms, groin, neck, elbows, or knuckles, you should see a general doctor or an endocrinologist, not simply a dermatologist.
Other symptoms that go along with it are:
- Periods that aren’t regular
- Tiredness
- Weight gain that happens quickly
- Tags for the skin
- Too much hair on the face
…could be a sign of a problem with the endocrine system.
Tests like these are needed for a correct diagnosis:
- Fasting blood sugar or HbA1c (to find out if you have insulin resistance or pre-diabetes)
- Tests for how well the thyroid works
- Hormonal panel testing, particularly for PCOS or androgen imbalance.
Finding problems early can help stop significant metabolic abnormalities from happening later.
What Really Works: Real Ways to Treat Dark Underarms
What is the good news? You don’t have to use whitening products to get rid of dark underarms. Most of the time, the best treatments are the ones that deal with the fundamental cause instead of just hiding the symptoms.
This is what works:
1. Changes in lifestyle
- Better eating: Eating a lot of fiber, healthy fats, and not much refined sugar will help keep insulin levels in check.
- Exercise: Getting regular exercise makes your body more sensitive to insulin.
- Weight management: Losing even 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help with insulin resistance and PCOS symptoms.
2. Medical Help
- Metformin is often given to people with PCOS and insulin resistance.
- Hormonal therapy: If your hormones are very out of balance, a gynecologist may suggest birth control tablets or anti-androgens.
3. Treatments that are put on the skin (with a prescription)
- Retinoids: Speed up the turnover of skin cells, which helps to lighten dark spots over time.
- Azelaic Acid: It can brighten skin and reduce inflammation.
- Kojic Acid and Niacinamide: Used with the help of a dermatologist to improve skin tone.
4. Change to Soft Hygiene Habits
- Don’t use deodorants that include alcohol or aluminum in them.
- Trim your hair or get laser hair removal instead of shaving.
- Wear loose, airy clothes to cut down on skin friction.
- Stop Shaming Skin for Talking
Let’s Stop Shaming Skin for Speaking
Your skin isn’t simply a place to put on makeup; it’s also an important organ and a way to send messages. Dark underarms can be a sign that your body is trying to tell you that you have a more serious health problem.
“I wasted years and money on fairness creams,” Aarti says. “I wish someone had told me that my body needed more than just skin care.”
It’s time to stop blaming ourselves or feeling ashamed and start paying attention to our skin, recognizing its indications, and treating it with the care and respect it needs.
Last Thoughts: People should know about dark underarms, not be ashamed of them.
Millions of people are suffering in silence because they think black underarms are a sign of poor grooming or hygiene. But the truth is that black armpits could be a sign of health problems, not a beauty defect.
It’s time to change the story if you or someone you know is coping with this disease. Let’s make it usual to question, “What’s going on inside?” instead of “how can I make this lighter?”
