Generally, our skin color is determined by pigment cells called melanocytes. The more of these cells there are, the darker your skin color will be. However, if you are pregnant and already have dark skin, the chances of having darker underarms will increase. However, that is not the main cause. Let’s take a look at the 4 reasons why pregnant women have dark armpits during pregnancy and how to fix them. Let’s go see.
Rougher skin and dark armpits during pregnancy: 4 reasons why they happen
1. Hormonal changes in the body
There are two hormones that cause this: progesterone and estrogen, as well as a hormone that is created from the placenta, which is hCG. All of these cause the mother’s body to develop dark spots, not just in the armpits, but also on the neck, elbows, knees, and groin. Some people may find that there are not only dark spots, but also itching and odor.
2. Bloodline transmission
It may be due to genetics that make mothers more likely to have dark underarms than others. If you find that your parents, siblings, or relatives have dark underarms,
3. Shaving underarm hair may cause dark armpits during pregnancy
Irritation from repeated shaving or plucking of underarm hair is another reason that causes the body to stimulate the production of more melanocytes than before. Mothers may choose to use shaving soap or cream beforehand to help prevent irritation from shaving. After shaving or plucking, you should apply cream to moisturize the skin.
4. Dark armpits during pregnancy can be caused by high sugar levels
If your mother’s body receives increased sugar, it will cause insulin to increase which will lead to increased production of melanin. Similarly, in people with type 2 diabetes, it will lead to dark armpits.
Is it true that your armpits will become less dark after giving birth?
Dark spots in the armpit area will gradually fade after giving birth depending on time, which takes different mothers a different amount of time. Some mothers have thick, dark skin in their armpits. Some mothers after giving birth their skin returns to normal in a short time, while some mothers take several months or even a year. However, for many mothers, there are still dark spots in the armpits or on the neck that may not disappear 100%, and there may be dark spots left. However, it depends on how you take care of yourself naturally.
How to naturally treat dark, thick, and chicken skin on armpits
If pregnant mothers are worried about dark armpits, dark necks, or dark spots in the folds, we have some easy skin care methods to recommend. Although they may not be 100% effective like before pregnancy, they will help keep your skin looking more moisturized and clean.
1. Mom tried using potatoes.
Take a potato, slice it thinly, and rub it on the dark spots regularly while taking a shower. Do it regularly. The results may be slow, but it is not harmful to the skin, especially when breastfeeding.
2. Use tamarind juice to scrub your armpits.
Extract thick tamarind juice or use a whole tamarind pod to scrub. Nowadays, tamarind creams are available at department stores—these natural products are designed for easy scrubbing without the tamarind shell scratching your armpits. You can scrub during your shower, but it’s recommended to do this every other day because tamarind may irritate the skin.
3. Use baby oil to wipe dark spots.
Put 2-3 drops of baby oil on a cotton pad and gently wipe the dark areas. Avoid pressing or rubbing too hard, as this can cause redness, abrasions, inflammation, and even more darkening.
4. Cold-pressed coconut oil (no fragrance formula)
You can buy cold-pressed coconut oil at any department store and then drop 2-3 drops on a cotton pad and gently rub it on the dark spots. The advantage of cold-pressed coconut oil is that when you wipe and massage your skin regularly, it will make your skin soft, moist, and look brighter.
5. Use a soft sponge to scrub your body.
When mom takes a bath, use a soft sponge to scrub with regular bath soap. It doesn’t have to be a whitening formula. Regular bathing and cleaning will help moisturize the skin, make it cleaner, and reduce the smell of dirt quite well.
6. Cucumber helps brighten your skin.
Check the refrigerator to see if there are any cucumbers. Cut the cucumbers into thin slices and apply them all over your armpits. You may need to lie down and do this after taking a shower. After applying the cucumber mask, gently wipe your armpits with clean water to make sure they are completely clean.
7. Cucumber juice, lemon and turmeric powder
Take a cucumber and squeeze out 1 tablespoon of juice and mix with a little lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix well and then use it as a mask on your armpits. Rub gently with your fingers for 2-3 times. Leave it to dry for about half an hour and then wash it off. That’s it, you’re done. The recommended method is to do it 2-3 times a week to help reduce the dark color.
How to solve dark armpits from external causes and factors
In addition to taking care of your body cleanliness, scrubbing and rubbing your dark armpits with natural methods, mothers can prevent dark armpits or reduce darkness as follows:
1. Avoid wearing tight clothing.
You should not wear tight clothing, especially under your arms, because it will cause friction, which will irritate the skin, causing the skin in that area to become darker.
2. Don’t remove armpit hair the wrong way.
Mothers should not remove underarm hair by shaving, plucking, or waxing because these methods will cause skin inflammation, irritation, and cause it to darken further.
3. Antiperspirants can be irritating.
Avoid using roll-ons that contain antiperspirants, as the chemicals in deodorants can make your skin darker and may also affect your unborn baby.
4. Choose products that are hypoallergenic.
Be careful when using skin care creams that contain chemicals because they can irritate and stimulate the body to produce more melanin, which will also make the armpits darker. In addition, some substances that are not careful can be harmful to the fetus.
5. If it is unusually dark, you should consult a doctor.
Darkening of the armpits during pregnancy is normal. However, if you notice skin that is different in color, red, unusually soft or hard, or light bleeding, you should see a doctor immediately to get treatment for the symptoms because it could be a sign of skin disease or other illnesses.
Now you probably know why pregnant women have dark armpits. Generally, the cause of dark armpits is usually due to hormonal changes and high sugar levels. It would be best for mothers to avoid shaving and turn to the above-mentioned nourishing methods. We guarantee that it will help your skin look more moisturized and cleaner.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Thailand
