Underarm Darkening - Hyperpigmentation

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD answers: What causes underarm darkening?

I'm a 22 year old female. My underarms started to darken when I was 21. I'm not using any harsh deodorant so what could have caused the underarm darkening?

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD
13 months ago
By Hratch Karamanoukian, MD - Buffalo General surgeon

There are many causes for this such as:

1. excessive sweating

2. shaving with irritation, abrasion, hemosiderin deposition, etc

3. chemicals in antiperspirants such as the alcohols

We recommend treatment for the underarm hyperhidrosis (Botox) or the other techniques, and perhaps laser hair removal to avoid the continued trauma of shaving, plucking, etc. It is believed that shaving is the worst offender followed by sweating.

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