How I Take Care of My Underarms

I used to have a problematic underarm area. I used to be one of those who keep on searching for ways and products to help them look brighter, or at least the same color as my skin. It’ll look pretty awkward if it’s whiter than my actual color anyway, right? Well, they're not perfect, but they look way better than they did before. How did I manage to get them looking like this now?

Good hygiene. It is on top of the list, of course. Taking a shower regularly, especially after a good workout is essential. Not only does it help with making your underarm looking good, but it also helps in keeping the bad odor away. We wouldn’t want the combination of those two, don’t we?

Shaving is Okay. Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not necessarily have to be the ultimate cause of dark underarms. While it is true that waxing (or laser treatments) is a better option, for those like me who don’t have much time to spare to go to a waxing salon, shaving is okay long as it is done right. You see, I make sure to moisturize my underarm area before and after shaving to help prevent razor burns and bumps. And don’t be too harsh when shaving. Be gentle, okay?

Aloe Vera Gel is my go-to skincare product. I’ve read that it’s better to use real aloe vera for your skin, especially your underarm area, but aloe vera gel works for me and it’s so much more accessible. Basically, moisturize your underarm area and choose the moisturizer that best fits your skin. For me, it’s The Face Shop Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel, which I use not just on my underarms, but also on my face and body. But again, keep in mind to choose which product works well on your skin. This is just what works best for me.

Being healthier also means having better skin. I realized that the biggest factor that contributed to my dark underarms before is my unhealthy state and lifestyle. You see, some people who are pre-diabetic (like I was before) do have the tendency to have darker areas on their skin like at the back of the neck or the underarms; and that is what I had. So, when I started my health and fitness journey and finally lost fat, gained more muscle mass, and had my fasting blood sugar at a normal level, my underarm started becoming lighter than before and the dark patch on the back of my neck went away like magic.

There is no big secret or product as to how I keep my underarm lighter. It’s just as easy as taking care of my skin and having a healthier lifestyle. However, be reminded that sometimes subtle discoloration on your underarms can be just genetics. If you have the money to get expensive treatments for it, by all means go ahead. But if you don’t, pause for a moment and take the time to appreciate your body better. You are more than just your kili-kili (Filipino word for underarm/armpit). You have so many beautiful things to offer in the world, so don’t feel bad by a slight discoloration somewhere. Sometimes we can’t help but feel insecure about it, but you need to pick yourself up and tell yourself how beautiful and wonderful your body is for surviving so much more than a mere underarm discoloration.

Stay beautiful inside and out, babe.