Black armpits? here are 10 things that could be the cause

Dark underarm skin sometimes causes low self-esteem. The things that cause the underarm skin to blacken are sometimes not aware of, even though we may often do this. Unlike other skin on the body that is usually blackened due to scars or sunburn, the causes of blackened underarm skin are not the same.

What are the causes of black underarm skin?

1. Some deodorants and antiperspirant

Some people have suggested that there are deodorants and antiperspirant which causes blackening of the underarm skin. In fact, when they stopped using the deodorant, their armpits changed color. Although this is rare, it is possible that there are several ingredients that cause blackening of the underarm skin.

2. Acanthonis nigricans

This is a health condition that can darken the skin of the armpits, groin, neck, elbows, knees, knuckles, or in the skin folds. Acanthonis nigricans can occur in men and women, but this condition mostly occurs in people who have dark skin and are obese. This is related to disorders of insulin production and glands that affect people with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or those who have the possibility of diabetes.

3. Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation can cause discoloration of the armpits, groin, groin, and neck area to blacken. This occurs when your skin produces melanin, although it usually affects the armpits quite rarely.

4. Bacterial infection

Erythrasma , a bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium minutissimum, causes reddish-brown patches that are slightly bisexual with well defined borders. The patches feel a bit itchy and generally appear during warm weather. You are more likely to develop this infection if you are overweight or have diabetes.

5. The period of pregnancy

Some women experience black armpits when pregnant. This is caused by hormonal changes that can increase melanin production, especially estrogen, which increases the production of melanocytes, cells that produce melanin. Black underarms during pregnancy is a seasonal problem that not only causes uneven skin tone, but also blackening of the armpits, nose and upper lip.

6. Tight clothing, lots of touch and friction

When the armpit rubs against something, hyperkeratosis or thickened skin may occur as a means of preventing the body from friction irritation, that is, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

7. Shaving

Shaving is a common cause of black underarms. Shaving cannot pull out the armpit hair from the roots. Hair follicles remain visible under the surface of the armpits when shaving. The hair below the surface of the skin will make the skin appear darker, much like men shaving their faces.

8. Collection of dead skin cells

There are thousands of folds of skin on the armpits known as "hills and valleys". Therefore, the armpits are usually deep. In addition, due to lack of care, the underarm skin cells will dry out, crack or die. Dead skin will appear darker.

9. Smoker's melanosis

This is a condition caused by smoking tobacco. In this case, the hyperpigmentation was caused by smoking. Black patches appear in the armpit area as smoking continues. When you stop smoking, the patches will go away on their own.

10. Hair shaving cream

Shaving creams tend to be used to gently remove unwanted hair. However, these creams also contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation and darkening of the underarms.