Ask Margo: How Can I Get Rid Of The Dark spots Under My Arms?

Hey, F&B lovers! I’m coming with another Ask Margo feature and I’m really excited because these are some of my favorite topics to cover on B&B. I was out having dinner at one of my fave Mexican restaurants with a girlfriend and fellow blogger who is always a ball to kick it with. We usually catch up on work and life and she usually asks for beauty advice. This time around she asked how to combat dark spots under her arms post-shave. Great question, right?!

Of course I’ve dabbled in this area before as research for several beauty articles, so I was happy to tackle this topic. Here are some tips to help you avoid or get rid of unwanted armpit discoloration.

Exfoliate! This was the first thing that I suggested during our talk. It’s pivotal to get rid of dead skin on every part of your body. A lot of times we focus on our face when it’s time to exfoliate, but that has to change! Not only does it prep skin to be more supple and pliable when it’s time to shave, but you’ll instantly see a noticeable difference once you shave. Allow the water in your shower to run for a while until there’s a light steam. After a couple of minutes apply a body exfoliant like Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Buffing Beads For Face and Body, rub it in thoroughly and rinse.

Wax! For the closest and cleanest finish under your arms waxing is hands-down the best option. Chances are, if you exclusively shave the hair under your arms the root of the hair is still exposed because the razor’s only getting the superficial layer of hair–not the root. Waxing removes hair down to the root. It’s best to find a professional to handle the job. It’s more painful than shaving, but it usually lasts longer and give you a nice, smooth finish.

Switch up deodorant and other products that you’re using. This problem could be a direct result of what you’re putting on your body. Your skin could be reacting to the deodorant’s fragrance. An anti-fungal powder or all-natural, fragrance-free deodorant might be a better choice. Your hair removal cream could also be the reason why you see unwanted discoloration. When you use a depilatory treatment like Nair or Veet, the hair’s not being removed from the root, so this could result in ingrown hairs or a dark shadow on your armpits. If you leave them on too long, you could also burn your skin, which also leads to discoloration. You can use depilatory treatments, but make sure you do so with discretion.