Under arms are probably one of the most neglected parts of your body when it comes to grooming. Healthy, clean underarms can actually boost your confidence and keep you feeling fresh all day long. Dark spots, odour, or irritation under your armpits may trouble you, but several hacks can be followed to enhance the look and health of your underarms. Here are five effective tips that will guide you towards that fresh and clean look.
Exfoliate regularly
Why exfoliation matters
Keeping your underarms exfoliated will help eliminate dead skin cells, prevent ingrown hair, and ensure that the area remains balanced.This is what will allow you to walk around with a smoother appearance, and, over time, dark spots will lighten or even disappear on their own.
How do you exfoliate?
Take the right scrub: If you use body scrub or make a homemade mix, be sure to use natural ingredients. For example, sugar and coconut oil can complement each other well.
Frequency: Exfoliate your armpits 1-2 times a week. Do not over-exfoliate, which can irritate.
Technique: Apply exfoliant on armpits in the shower; massage in gentle, soft circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Rinse warm.
Apply a soothing lotion or aloe vera gel to hydrate the skin after exfoliating. This would minimize any irritation that could occur.
Hygiene practice
Importance of hygiene
Keeping your armpits free of sweat is basically essential to preventing odor and in maintaining healthy skin. The sweat can combine with bacteria, further resulting in bad smells and irritation.
Skincare for stress and fatigue: 5 ways to revive your tired skin
How to do it
Wash your armpits daily- One must make it a habit to wash your armpits daily with some gentle cleanser, especially after sweating or exercising.
Dry your armpits- After washing, make sure you dry your armpits completely to avoid moisture buildup, which will further trigger the growth of bacteria.
Select right products
Select a pH-balanced body wash that does not cause irritation. Avoid fragrant products as these might be allergenic and might irritate your skin as well.
Use natural deodorants
Why go natural?
Commercial deodorants contain harsh chemicals, alcohol, and fragrance which may cause irritation to the skin and also darken underarms. Natural deodorants are milder products that protect odor with no associated dangers.
Advantages of natural deodorants
Gentle on the skin: Baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oils help absorb moisture and mask odors without causing irritation.
Friendly on the skin: Find a product that does not contain parabens, aluminum, and synthetic fragrances.
How to make the transition
If you switched over from your conventional deodorant, do expect your skin to take some time to adapt. Your body will sweat more during that period as it gets accustomed to its new task.
You can also create your own home-made natural deodorant. Mix coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch and add fragrant essential oils according to your personal preferences.
Moisturising your skin
Why moisturising matters
An armpit needs to be moisturised in order to stay healthy, just like the rest of your body. Moisturising will help prevent dryness, irritation, and flakiness.
How to moisturise
Best Moisturiser: Find a light, non-clogging lotion. Gels like aloe vera or natural oils are great options.
Frequency: Apply moisturisers after washing and exfoliating your underarm area to seal in the moisture.
Add-on care
In case you experience irritation or darkening, you can consider using products with vitamin E or natural brightening agents like licorice extract. This may also improve overall tone of the skin.
Wearing breathable fabrics
Why do your clothes matter?
Your clothes will determine the health of your armpits. Synthetic fabrics hold moisture and heat, thus encouraging bacterial activity and irritation.
Tips on choosing fabric
Choose natural fabrics: Cotton, linen, and bamboo are natural elements that don’t block your skin’s pores. This reduces sweat build-up.
Loosely fit clothing: Loose-fitting clothes will have better air-flow close to your skin, causing less friction.
Take care of your clothes
Make sure the tops you wear are clean and fresh. Top cleaners are not only removing sweat but also odor. These combine over time to irritate your skin.
Healthy and clean-looking armpits need not be a complicated affair, at least not anymore. Add the following five easy hacks to your routine, and the idea of fresh and confident underarms will come quite easily into your life. Regular exfoliation, proper hygiene, natural deodorants, nourishment of the skin, and breathable fabrics-all these make a step towards perfecting the look of armpits.
You see, each person is different; skin is no exception. So it may take a little while to figure out what the best products may be, and just maybe, the right routine for your best options. A little dedication and care, and you will be well on your way to flaunting healthy, beautiful underarms!
Source: times of india
