For many people, dark underarms can be a source of embarrassment. Darker underarm skin can keep some people from dressing in sleeveless tops, wearing bathing suits in public, and participating in sports.
Like skin blemishes and discoloration on other parts of the body, dark underarms can result in a lack of confidence and self-esteem.
What causes dark armpits?
There are various potential causes for armpits becoming darker including:
- deodorants and antiperspirants (chemical irritants)
- shaving (irritation and abrasion)
- dead skin cell accumulation (lack of exfoliation)
- friction (tight clothes)
- smoker’s melanosis (hyperpigmentation caused by smoking)
- hyperpigmentation (increased melanin)
- acanthosis nigricans (often a sign of diabetes, obesity, or abnormal hormone levels)
- erythrasma (bacterial infection)
- melasma (dark patches on skin)
- Addison’s disease (damaged adrenal gland)
