4 Tips for the Smoothest Underarms, Straight from a Dermatologist
We often go to great lengths to make our faces smooth, protected, and look like sleek donuts—while our bodies take a backseat. Take your armpits, for example. They’re one of the less visible areas on the skin, so it’s easy to overlook their care. But if you want clear, smooth underarms, you’ve come to the right place.
To learn more about the best ways to care for your underarm skin, we spoke to board-certified dermatologists Brendan Camp, MD, Divya Shokeen, MD, and Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD. TIP: That dull disposable razor may be causing your underarm skin to look bumpy. Below, find out how our experts recommend keeping your underarms moisturized, smooth, and irritation-free.
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Exfoliate Regularly
If you want smooth skin, you should carefully incorporate exfoliation into your daily routine. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that clog pores, boosts collagen synthesis, improves texture, and maintains skin plumpness and tone.
“Use a gentle chemical peel to remove dead skin cells and open up the pores,” advises Shokeen. “I prefer chemical peels over physical peels, which are less traumatic and can gently help lighten and improve the quality of your underarm skin.”
Chemical peels involve applying an acidic solution like salicylic, lactic, or glycolic acid to the skin to promote irritation, which results in exfoliation. 1 Physical exfoliants, like bead products, can be irritating and traumatic to the skin.
“The secret to smooth underarms is finding a balance between exfoliation and not irritating sensitive skin,” says Murphy-Ross. She’s also an advocate for chemical peels. “If you have uneven underarms, I usually recommend using a chemical peel,” she tells us. “Start once a week and increase only as tolerated. I recommend a gentle chemical peel over a [harsher] manual peel. So consider a lactic acid scrub instead of a sugar scrub.”
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Moisturizer, moisturizer, moisturizer
Moisturization is essential for healthy skin, including the skin under your arms. “Moisturizers with keratolytics…help to gently remove dead skin cells from the surface,” says Kemp. “Ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid are active ingredients in many over-the-counter moisturizers and help keep skin smooth and hydrated. (Yes, if these ingredients sound familiar, that’s because they’re the same basic ingredients.” You’ll also find it in chemical peels.)
With that in mind, Shokeen recommends “applying a moisturizing lotion or cream to your underarms” after showering. “This can help soothe and soften the skin, making it less susceptible to irritation and inflammation,” she says. “It can also help reduce the appearance of bumps and roughness, especially after using a scrub.”
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Avoid dry shaving
It’s easy to get careless when shaving, and dry shaving your underarms may seem like a solution in a pinch, but experts warn: If you want smooth underarms, don’t shave without skincare.
“I talk to my patients all the time about their skin-care habits and am always surprised at how often they forgo shaving cream or shaving gel,” says Murphy-Ross. She recommends using shaving gel and frequently changing out a razor with a clean blade. “Avoiding shaving irritation and bumps will give you smoother underarms,” she adds.
In addition to using shaving cream or gel, experts recommend taking a steamy shower to soften the hair, exfoliating before shaving, using sharp blades (say goodbye to dull razors—they’re not your friend), and, of course, finishing with a layer of moisturizer to keep your skin happy.
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Consider laser hair removal
Experts offer another, more permanent solution to smooth underarms: laser hair removal. Arguably the most expensive method, it takes time, effort, and commitment, but you’ll end up with smooth underarms and lasting results.
“Laser hair removal is an effective way to remove shaving stubble,” says Kemp. “Laser hair removal for the armpits is a well-tolerated procedure that effectively removes underarm hair after a series of treatments.”
According to experts, laser hair removal typically lasts about six months, requiring appointments every four to six weeks, depending on the individual and their hair growth pattern. Some people see results quickly, while others struggle with stubborn hair and need multiple appointments.
If you undergo laser smoothing of your underarms, it is important to follow your doctor’s exact aftercare instructions to ensure the smoothest results and safest healing process.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
