When we're bombarded with images of flawless-looking celebrities on the red carpet, body parts we previously ignored can quickly become a source of embarrassment and insecurity.
If you struggle with dark underarms, you are not alone. Millions of people around the world are trying to find a way to get those perfectly smooth and even-toned armpits that you have seen so many times in pictures of celebrities.
While it may take some time and effort to recreate this look, if you follow the necessary steps, you too should be able to lighten your dark underarms in no time.
Table of contents:
- Part 1: How to lighten your armpits in 3 days
- Part 2: What is the fastest way to lighten armpits?
- Part 3: How do celebrities lighten their armpits?
How to lighten your armpits in 3 days
If you have an event coming up and want to look good while wearing something sleeveless, lightening your armpits might be the first step.
As you'll see below, there are many steps you can take to improve the appearance of your underarms in just three days; however, we'd like to point out that proper underarm care is a long-term task.
While you can improve their overall appearance in such a short period of time, it's best to think ahead and take care of your armpits on an ongoing basis - this will keep them smooth and even all year round.
Now that we have cleared up this point, let’s get to the steps you can follow to lighten your armpits in three days:
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Eliminate all factors that contribute to the development
Aside from genetics, there are a few other factors that can contribute to the darkening (or lack thereof) of your underarms. Before you start any treatment, your first step should be to nip the problem in the bud and avoid anything that could make the problem worse.
Here are some of the most common factors that could make your armpits darker:
- Smoking. The connection between smoking and dark skin is quite complex, but ultimately it boils down to reduced blood flow, toxic chemicals, oxidative stress and hormonal imbalances. So try not to smoke for these three days, or better yet, use this time to quit smoking altogether.
- Shaving. Since shaving does not remove hair at the root but cuts it close to the skin, the hairline is always visible. In addition, shaving can be too aggressive on sensitive areas such as the armpits, causing irritation and ingrown hairs, which can make the situation even worse. So if you shave frequently, the first thing you should do is switch to another method of hair removal.
- Wearing tight-fitting clothes. If you're one of those people who constantly wears tight-fitting tops, the solution to your problem could be just a small change in your wardrobe. Tight clothing causes friction because it constantly rubs against your armpits, which are already very sensitive. Over time, this leads to irritation and darkening.
- Using deodorants with harsh chemicals . Although they all serve the same purpose, not all deodorants are the same. Harsh chemicals like aluminum compounds, parabens, and alcohol can irritate and darken your skin, as well as cause a host of other dangerous health complications . If your deodorant contains any of the above ingredients, throw it out and replace it with a gentler, higher quality alternative.
After you have eliminated any potential triggers, you can take the prevention phase a step further by making positive lifestyle changes. While this is more of a long-term solution, it can still produce results in this 3-day time frame.
Start eating healthier, exercising and trying to find effective stress management mechanisms. This will not only significantly improve your skin, but will also have a positive effect on your physical and mental health.
Now that you have effectively prevented your armpits from getting any darker, it is time to go on the offensive and take active steps to improve their appearance.
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Clean
One thing you may not have considered when dealing with your dark underarms is the fact that some of these dark spots can be easily eliminated.
Remember how I mentioned that tight-fitting clothes can irritate and darken your armpits? If you wear a lot of dark colors, your tops can discolor your skin and make your armpit appear darker than it actually is.
So first choose a gentle but effective care product that removes all impurities from your skin at once.
Only then can you see how dark your armpits really are and how much effort you have to put in from now on.
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peeling
Failure to exfoliate our armpits is one of the main reasons for their dull, dark appearance, and this is the case for most of us.
It's time to change that. So take a gentle scrub or body scrub, preferably one with natural ingredients (what's the point of changing your deodorant if you're already treating your armpits with harsh chemicals?), and apply it to your skin in circular motions.
Since no two exfoliators are the same, you should follow the instructions on the packaging as closely as possible. But be careful: While exfoliation can be very useful, if you overdo it, it can do more harm than good.
So be gentle and once your armpits feel soft enough, it's time to move on to the next step.
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Try one of these treatments
There are many homemade and over-the-counter treatments that can actively lighten your underarms. Here are some of the best ones to try:
- Coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in vitamin E which is known to do wonders for the skin. All you have to do is take it and massage it on your armpits. Leave it on for up to 15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. The best thing about this oil is that you can use it multiple times a day as it does not dry out or irritate your skin.
- Baking soda and lemon. Mix the two ingredients until they form a paste and then apply it to your armpits. Wait 4-5 minutes before washing everything off.
- Honey and activated charcoal. While this may not be the easiest option, the combination of these ingredients is extremely effective when it comes to lightening your armpits. Again, all you have to do is mix them into a paste, leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash your armpits.
- Potatoes. Want to try something simpler? Try squeezing the juice of a potato and applying it directly to your skin. You can leave it on for 10-20 minutes before washing it off.
- Over-the-counter products . If you don't want to go the natural route, you can check your local pharmacy to see if there are any over-the-counter products you can try. Get something that contains AHAs, glycolic acid, kojic acid, or arbutin, all of which are known for their lightening properties. While these products may work faster, you should only use them after consulting a doctor.
In addition, you can also get professional treatments like laser therapy or dermabrasion, which, as you'll see below, tend to produce the fastest results. However, these treatments can be quite expensive. And since you'll probably have to make an appointment beforehand, getting them within 3 days isn't realistic for most.
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Hair removal
Now that shaving is off the table, you'll have to look for other hair removal options.
Your first alternative is waxing . Since the wax pulls out the hair at the root, you don't have to deal with the residue of shaving that darkens your armpits. However, the process can be quite painful, not to mention irritating to those sensitive areas. If you have a low pain tolerance or particularly irritable skin, lasering is your best bet.
Lasering provides excellent, long-lasting results and isn't nearly as painful as waxing. However, it can be quite expensive if you get it done in a clinic. Thankfully, there is a way to get all the benefits of lasering at home for a fraction of the price.
Handy laser devices such as the Ulike hair removal device can work wonders when it comes to keeping your armpits hairless, smooth and even.
This one is FDA approved and painless, making it the perfect choice for anyone who wants to keep their skin in top shape without spending too much time and money.
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Moisturizing
At this point, your armpits should already be feeling a little dry and irritated, so the next step would be to bring some life and moisture back to the skin. Get a gentle, soothing moisturizer and apply it to the area according to the directions on the packaging.
Your underarms should already feel and look great, but if you stick to this routine, even for just three days, you'll notice an even bigger improvement in their appearance.
What is the fastest way to lighten armpits?
Although home remedies and a well-thought-out routine are practical and effective, you should opt for professional treatment if you want faster results.
Keep in mind that this method can still take some time because of the time it takes to schedule a consultation and then to do the actual procedure. However, in terms of the time it takes to see results after treatment, this method is the fastest.
Generally, there are two professional procedures you can consider if you want to lighten your armpits.
First, there are chemical peels. If your regular peel isn't producing any noticeable results, it might be time to try a chemical peel. Keep in mind that it will take a few weeks to see results, but the skin should be pretty smooth and even afterward.
Alternatively, you can opt for laser treatments. These include skin resurfacing (dermabrasion) and laser therapy for pigmentation. Both can be quite expensive and require treatment by a licensed professional, but these treatments provide some of the fastest and most satisfying results.
If you're looking for an even quicker but temporary solution, you can also use makeup to cover up your dark armpits for an event.
How do celebrities lighten their armpits?
So how come celebs always seem to have camera-ready armpits? Here's what most of them do:
- They use laser hair removal.
- They often undergo professional treatments such as laser therapy and dermabrasion to lighten their underarms.
- They follow a strict skincare routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing their armpits.
- They generally lead a healthy lifestyle that prevents the appearance of dark armpits in the first place.
But remember that most of the information about what your favorite celebrities look like comes from pictures you see online. Lighting, angles, makeup, and Photoshop all play a role in how a person's body looks.