Baking soda is a commonly used home remedy to brighten the underarms. However, you have to be careful while using it on your skin. This article explains how baking soda may have that brightening effect, ways to use it, and its risks. Read on.
What Causes Dark Underarms?
Dark underarms can be caused by one or more of the following factors:
Irritation or rashes caused by shaving. Improper or infrequent exfoliation that leads to an accumulation of dead skin cells. Friction against the skin while wearing tight clothes. Chemical irritants or allergens in deodorants or antiperspirant products. Melasma, a common skin condition that causes dark patches on the skin. Skin pigmentation disorders such as acanthosis nigricans, associated with obesity, diabetes, and hormonal imbalance. Bacterial skin infections. Increase in melanin production which may lead to hyperpigmentation. Smoking, which may worsen hyperpigmentation issues.
In many of these cases, dark underarms are best treated with medical intervention, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition.For slight discoloration, anecdotal evidence suggests home remedies such as baking soda may be effective. Learn how it works in the following section.
How Does Baking Soda Brighten Underarms?
Well, there is no scientific proof claiming that baking soda can brighten your underarms. However, as it is an alkalinei Constituting a base compound that can neutralize an acid with a pH greater than 7 and has a bitter taste. substance, baking soda does not disturb your skin’s pH levels. Instead, it soothes your skin. Baking soda is often used as an exfolianti A substance that helps remove dead cells and other impurities from the surface of the skin and reduce its dullness. to remove dead skin cells from the surface. This is the reason it has a brightening effect and can also help get rid of the underarm odor by neutralizing unpleasant smells. But how do you use this unusual beauty ingredient? We will look at that in the following section. Scroll down.
How To Use Baking Soda For Underarm Brightening?
These DIY recipes work as excellent scrubs for your underarms and will help exfoliate the dead skin in your armpits.
1. DIY Baking Soda And Water Scrub
2 tablespoons of baking soda 1 tablespoon of water 1 bowl
2-3 times a week.
2. Baking Soda, Gram Flour, And Curd
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of gram flour 1 tablespoon of curd (adjust the quantity as per desired consistency)
2-3 times a week.
3. Baking Soda And Avocado
2 tablespoons of baking soda 1 tablespoon of mashed avocado ½ tablespoon of lemon juice (diluted with water)
2 times a week.
4. Baking Soda And Cornstarch
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of cornstarch 1 teaspoon of cucumber juice (adjust the quantity)
2-3 times a week.
5. Baking Soda And Coconut Oil
cShutterstock
1 tablespoon of baking soda Coconut oil (enough to make a thick paste)
2-3 times a week.
6. Baking Soda And Milk Scrub
1 tablespoon of baking soda Milk (enough to make a paste)
2-3 times a week.
7. Baking Soda And Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon of baking soda Juice of half a lemon (dilute it with water)
2-3 times a week. Fumi Desalu-Vold, a vlogger, shared her experience of using a mixture of baking soda, turmeric, and lemon juice to lighten her underarms in her video. She said, “You can actually see the difference already. And that is just one 20-minute tick (ⅰ).”
8. Baking Soda And Glycerin
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of glycerini A clear, viscous liquid that is naturally found in plant and animal fats and is used to moisturize the skin and protect it from irritants.
3-4 times a week.
9. Baking Soda And Cucumber
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed cucumber juice
3 times a week.
10. Baking Soda And Honey Scrub
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of honey
Once daily.
11. Baking Soda And Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon of baking soda Apple cider vinegar (as per the desired consistency)
2-3 times a week.
12. Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
¼ cup of baking soda ⅛ cup of hydrogen peroxidei A chemical compound known for its strong oxidizing and bleaching properties. It is also used as a mild antiseptic to prevent infection from minor cuts and burns. Juice of a half a lemon (diluted)
2-3 days a week.
13. Baking Soda And Tomato
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed tomato juice
2-3 times a week. Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) seems to be an ideal ingredient for brightening your underarms. However, this doesn’t mean you should start rubbing it on your skin right away. You should know the potential risks before using it.
Risks Of Using Baking Soda On Your Skin
Baking soda may be organic but abrasive. It is alkaline (any substance that has a pH higher than 7 is alkaline, and anything below that is acidic). It might change and disrupt the pH balance of your underarms and damage the skin barrier. When the skin’s acid mantlei A fine protective barrier composed of sweat and sebum on the skin surface that prevents potential contaminants from entering the skin. doesn’t function properly, the composition of the bacterial flora on your skin surface also changes along with the enzyme activity. Hence, using baking soda may cause:
Dryness Skin irritation Rashes
Luckily, you can easily restore the pH of your underarms. All you need to do is mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and use it as a toner for your underarms. Be careful about using baking soda if you have sensitive skin. Always do a patch test before using baking soda on any part of your body. Baking soda is a physical exfoliator. Using it a few times a week (followed by proper skin care) works wonders. Excessive exfoliation (using it day and night) with baking soda may dehydrate your skin and affect your wellness levels – hence we do not recommend that. Understanding how to get rid of dark underarms safely and effectively involves being aware of these risks and choosing the right methods for your skin. How long does baking soda take to lighten dark underarms? After applying baking powder paste to the armpits, leave it on for 25-30 minutes. Then wash with lukewarm water. Continue this process 2-3 times a week for better results. Is baking soda harmful to the skin? Baking soda is not harmful to the skin. However, it may cause skin irritation in some people who are sensitive to baking soda. Is it necessary to consult a dermatologist before using baking soda for underarm brightening? Yes, as it may cause irritation and damage your skin’s natural barrier as it raises your skin’s natural pH level. Can baking soda be used as a deodorant in addition to a brightening agent? Yes. Mix baking soda and water to make a paste and apply it to your underarms. Allow it to dry before you put on your clothes to avoid smearing. Can baking soda be used for other parts of the body for skin lightening? Yes, you can apply it topically on specific areas of your body that you wish to lighten. Do not apply baking soda on larger areas as it may cause irritation and dryness.
Illustration: Best Ways To Use Baking Soda To Lighten Dark Underarms
Learn how to lighten your dark underarms naturally using baking soda! Take a look at the video below to get rid of embarrassing dark patches with this simple and easy method.
