Shahnaz Husain
Hair under the arms is generally considered unattractive by most women, who feel that it hampers the well groomed look when one is dressed in sleeveless and strappy attires, or swimsuits. Also, it is more difficult to maintain hygiene of the area if the hair is not removed, with problems of excessive perspiration and body odour getting worse. Underarms with hair can also be prone to fungal infections, specially during hot and humid weather. Many other problems may also occur with the underarms, like pigmentation and ingrown hair.
Darkening of the skin can occur under the arms, as a reaction to antiperspirants, deodorants or hair removal creams. Shaving can also cause darkening of the skin and also ingrown hair. This occurs due to shaving, which sometimes causes the hair to break off. The hair then grows inwards, getting trapped under the skin. If the underarm region becomes dark due to deodorants, avoid using deodorants while you are at home and apply it only during the time of day when you go out and there is more perspiration.
Shaving also causes the area under the arms to become darker, more so in India, where women have dark hair. Shaving does not remove hair by the roots, so the hair becomes visible very soon. Shaving may also cause the hair to become thicker and harder.
Another reason for darkening of the skin under the arms may be due to the regular use of hair removal creams. The chemicals in the creams react to some skins and may also cause darkening over a period of time.
Waxing is the best option, as it removes hair by the roots. As such, it is said to weaken the follicles over a period of time and thus discourage hair growth. The lemon and sugar mixture used by most beauty parlours also helps to lighten skin colour. Waxing also removes dead skin cells and actually brightens the skin. If you do waxing at home and make the wax yourself, make sure that the wax is not too hot, as it can cause burns on the skin. Test it on your finger when the mixture is slightly cool. To apply it for waxing, use a butter knife or spatula and apply in the direction of hair growth. Then, place a strip of clean cotton cloth on the wax, press down and smoothen it and then pull it off against the direction of growth. Once the cloth is off, wipe the area with a wet cloth and apply ice. This helps to close the pores. There may be redness and rash on the skin, which should disappear in about an hour. Waxing strips are also available, but getting your waxing done at a beauty parlour may give better results.
For dark skin under the arms, exfoliation would help. Use a scrub once or twice a week. Or, mix gram flour (besan) with yogurt, lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric into a paste. Apply three times a week on the area and wash it off after half an hour.
You can also think about permanent hair removal with laser therapy. Laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) is being used to remove hair permanently. Laser produces an intense beam of light, which is absorbed by the hair follicles. The laser disables the hair follicle’s ability to produce hair. Cooling devices are used to prevent damage to the rest of the skin. Re-growth occurs for sometime in some cases. It is an expensive method and it is very important to find a good laser clinic. Several sessions may be needed, depending on the kind and extent of hair growth. One can also use an epilator. This is a small gadget for hair removal and can be done at home. Initially, there may be some pain. However, if the hair is removed with an epilator when it is quite small, the pain may be less.
