Tank top season isn’t totally over yet, which means you should be paying attention to your armpits. In fact, proper underarm care should continue into the fall and winter too, so that when spring comes back around, you are ready to go bare. Don’t worry – underarm care isn’t hard, but putting in that little bit of effort will make you a whole lot more comfortable when you go sleeveless. Here are tips from the top experts so that you can be ready for anything life throws your way, even in a tank top.
If you’ve ever dry shaved, you know what a complete and absolute nightmare it can turn into. Not only does it burn, but it can also leave you with unsightly red bumps that are not attractive or comfortable. Make sure you take your razor into the shower so you can shave with water and shaving cream. If you run out of cream, use a dab of conditioner instead so that your razor glides smoothly over your armpit skin.
I know this sounds weird, but your armpits collect dead skin cells, dirt and debris just like the rest of your body. A good exfoliation now and then can help smooth your pits and slough off the icky stuff. However, your underarm skin is surprisingly sensitive, so use a gentle exfoliator and only do so once or twice a week.
Deodorant alone is only designed to keep body odor at bay when you sweat. On the other hand, antiperspirant is created to keep you from getting all sweaty in the first place. Use a product that combines both and you can stay dry and smell fresh, no matter what you are doing. You can find effective combination products at any drugstore.
The skin in your armpits can easily get dried out, which is why you should apply moisturizer to the area every day, just like you do for the rest of your body. You don’t need a ton of lotion there, but a quick swipe of moisturizer in your armpits will go a long way toward keeping them hydrated and healthy.
Ideally, you should be wearing sunscreen on any exposed portion of your body when you are out in the sunshine. If you’re wearing a tank top or your bikini, that means slathering up your armpits in addition to the rest of your body. This will help prevent sunburn in your armpits, but it can also reduce the risk of pigmentation changes and skin cancer. Choose SPF 50 and reapply every couple of hours.
Because underarm hair is usually pretty dark and coarse, that shadow you see in your pits is hair under the surface of your skin. It’s not really changing the color of your armpits – it just looks like it. Experts say that waxing instead of shaving will easily solve this problem since it pulls hair out at the roots instead of just getting rid of the bit that’s sticking out of your skin.
It’s a good idea to see your dermatologist once a year for a skin cancer check, but that should be more often if you notice anything going in in your armpits that is new or that you can’t explain. She’ll give you an exam and see what’s going on so that proper treatment can be decided.
What are your best underarm care secrets? Will you be adding any of these tips to your routine?