Dark underarms and skin folds
WHY DO THEY OCCUR?
1) Underarms are naturally prone for pigmentation due to-
-A weaker skin barrier
-Incomplete skin shedding
-A larger number of hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands
2) Extrinsic factors such as:
-Damage from waxing, shaving and plucking
-Sensitivity to deoderants and perfumes
-More friction, especially in overweight and obese people
-Background skin tone (People with darker skin tend to have more pigmented skin folds)
3)Pre-existing medical conditions:
-Certain medications
-Hormonal disturbances
-Skin conditions like lichen planus, etc
HOW CAN YOU TREAT IT?
-Use gentler anti-perspirants (you may want to skip them if the irritation is severe)
-Moisturise
-Reconsider waxing and shaving (Laser hair removal is much more gentle on your delicate underarm skin)
-Treat underlying causes
-Start eating right and exercising everyday
-Consult our dermatologist for pigment control creams, chemical peels or Nd:YAG lasers