Ask the Expert: Does Antiperspirant Cause Dark Underarms?

In the Philippines, heat and humidity are as inescapable as heavy traffic and Christmas songs playing in September. Which is why it’s no surprise that you’re likely to worry about pit stains, body odor, and armpit discoloration all year round. Do you debate in your head if the person beside you on the P2P thinks you’re amoy araw? Or regularly wonder, “Does antiperspirant cause dark underarms and chicken skin?

Read on as a dermatologist dishes out the facts on these underarm woes –so you’re not kept in the dark (pun intended!) when it comes to achieving nourished and healthy underarms.

“Axillary hyperpigmentation or dark underarms may be caused by multiple external and internal factors,” says Dr. Irene Zuñiga-Baylon, board-certified dermatologist and founder and CEO of Serene Skin Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology.

The external causes include the hair on your armpits, friction that’s caused by tight clothes or obesity (when your skin brushes against each other), skin lesions, allergies, or sensitivities triggered by certain products and improper hair removal procedures.

On the other hand, internal factors include a medical condition called acanthosis nigricans, bacterial or fungal skin infections, or constitutional hyperpigmentation where ethnicity and skin color play a part.

It helps to know the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants. The former fights odor with antimicrobial ingredients that remove odor-causing bacteria from the skin and a fragrance that masks unpleasant smells. Meanwhile, antiperspirants block sweat glands, usually through aluminum-based ingredients.

The short answer is no, antiperspirants don’t necessarily cause underarms to darken over time. “The axilla (or skin on our underarms) contains eccrine glands that produce sweat, which is often a complaint from patients due to its impact on their lifestyles and daily activities,” explains Dr. Zuñiga-Baylon. “Some over-the-counter antiperspirant-deodorants containing aluminum chloride are used by such patients to control sweat production, but the aluminum chloride doesn't contribute to the darkening,” she points out.

“However, aluminum chloride can cause irritation when not applied correctly,” Dr. Zuñiga-Baylon cautions. “[Antiperspirants] containing aluminum chloride are supposed to be applied on dry skin. If skin is still a little moist, this can cause itching – and if the patient scratches it, it can cause wounds, resulting in darkening.”

“[Antiperspirants] may also contain fragrance and alcohol that may cause contact dermatitis or irritants that can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or the darkening of the skin,” she adds. To make sure that your deo or antiperspirant isn’t doing you more harm than good, read the labels or better yet, check with your dermatologist for possible skin allergies so you know what you should watch out for.

Dr. Zuñiga-Baylon lists three things: “Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing, consider laser hair removal over waxing or shaving (to avoid lesions and such), and take into mind if medical management is needed for certain health conditions that may contribute to having dark underarms.”

In addition, hardworking products that offer more than your usual deo or antiperspirant are key. Dove Radiant + Care Deodorant Serum Roll On 3% Niacinamide 10x Vitamin C&E Dark Marks Reducer, for one, is a deo-slash-serum targeted to give you smooth and even-toned underarms, as its niacinamide and vitamins C and E-powered formula both nourish and repair the skin on your pits.

Also consider the Dove Radiant + Care Deodorant Dry Serum 3% Niacinamide 10x Vitamin C&E Dark Marks Reducer, which functions like skincare for your underarms. Its serum format can bring all the good stuff to your pits up to 20 layers deep. It has collagen and vitamin E concentrate that promote skin renewal to help make your underarms look smoother and even toned.

“Topical bleaching agents such as niacinamide, hydroquinone, azelaic acid, and retinoids may help decrease the pigmentation,” notes Dr. Zuñiga-Baylon. “These topical medications act by inhibiting melanocytes, reducing epidermal content of melanin, and decreasing thickness of the epidermal granular layer of the skin,” she adds.

Do keep in mind that these products are medications with different indications and their usage is best consulted with your dermatologist. When in doubt, it always pays to read about what you’re putting on your skin or ask the experts to shed light on your pressing concerns. So, does antiperspirant cause dark underarms? No, so feel free to use them for your sake and everyone else’s, especially in this heat!