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Unless you’re one of those people that was miraculously born without underarm hair, you’ll probably have experienced the pain of shaving, plucking or waxing. As if the tiring process isn’t enough, the skin often gets darker over time, making our armpits very unattractive. Fret not however, for I’ve gathered four tips to help whiten and brighten your pits.
TIP ONE: SCRUB A DUB DUB
One of the most common reasons for skin darkening is the buildup of dead skin cells. Although this is a natural occurrence, drier skin types, harsh soaps and sun damage makes your skin a breeding ground for dead skin.
Scrubbing regularly will help to counter dead skin build-up. My all-time favourite underarm exfoliator is Shills 3-minutes Bubble Body Scrub. A foam that removes dead skin cells through a chemical reaction, the product works effortlessly in whitening my underarms. The only gripe I have is that no retailer has it in stores, and I always have to order it online or get it overseas.
Alternatively if you want something more accessible and versatile, Fresh’s Brown Sugar Body Polish is a great option. A luxurious scrub that is filled with Fresh’s signature brown sugar, the scrub sloughs off dead skin cells without too much abrasiveness (as the product is also infused with a multitude of essential oils). Additionally, brown sugar is a natural antibacterial agent, which makes it great for ridding your armpits of any godforsaken germs.
TIP TWO: AIM FOR THE ROOT
There are many reasons why our pits get dark, but it is generally believed that shaving and hair removing creams are two of the main causes. This is because such methods only remove hairs on the surface, which makes future hair regrowth thicker and coarser over time: resulting in an unattractive sight.
If you’re a fan of shaving or hair removal creams, try to switch to methods such as waxing or epilating, as these remove the hairs directly from at the root. They are more painful, but hey, pain is temporary, but dark underarms? Might last forever.
TIP THREE: BAKE IT
If you have some serious underarm darkening, you might want to try baking soda. Baking soda is a proven whitening agent, and is often used in deodorants due to its anti-odour properties. Simply make a thick paste with water, scrub vigourously, and wash away.
TIP FOUR: USE THE RIGHT DEODORANTS
Although not scientifically proven, it is widely believed that deodorants cause underarm darkening. But lets face it, smelling bad is way worse than having to deal with unsightly armpits. Which is why I opt for deodorants that help to whiten my skin while also making me feel fresh all the time.
For avid shavers, Nivea’s Whitening Happy Shave might work for you. Infused with pro vitamin B5 and vitamin C, this new deodorant was specifically created to soothe shaved skin, while also whitening it in the process.
Otherwise, you could also opt for Nivea’s Extra Whitening deodorant. The brand claims that this anti-perspirant repairs damaged skin caused by excessive plucking, while also tightening pores over time.
Whiter pits, here we come!
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish, $63, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.fresh.com andwww.sephora-sea.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Sephora Singapore on Facebook andTwitter.
Nivea Deodorant Whitening Happy Shave, $4.90 - $9.10, is available at at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.nivea.com and follow the brand on Facebook.
Nivea Deodorant Extra Whitening, $4.90 - $9.10, is available at at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.nivea.com and follow the brand on Facebook.