About 70% of girls prefer shaving over other hair removal methods, and with convenience, affordability, and low pain level on its side, it’s not difficult to see why. The problem is, shaving to achieve smooth skin is actually counter productive.
While shaving, your underarms will get rid of unwanted hair, it is also one major reason behind skin darkening and bumps. You may not notice it, but every time you reach out for that razor, about a third of what you shave off is underarm skin. Frequent and repetitive shaving leads to irritation, dryness, redness. Eventually bumps develop, and skin darkening occurs.
If you need to shave, your underarms will need a little extra Tender Loving Care. Here's a simple guide.
Treat sensitive skin right
The underarm area is very sensitive because its skin is relatively thin and does not get as much sunlight as the rest of your body. When a part of that already thin layer is removed due to shaving, the area becomes even more sensitive, and sometimes causes redness, itching, and stinging.
To avoid irritation, always use a mild soap or cleanser with moisturizing properties when showering.
Friction from a razor also aggravates sensitivity and causes darkness, but you can make shaving easier and quicker by applying some shaving gel, cream, or foam first. This will soften the hair and give the blades a smoother glide.
A beauty routine for your underarms
If you don’t know what type of pampering you should give your underarms, take inspiration from your facial routine: just cleanse and moisturize.
Cleanse
Before anything else, properly cleansing your underarm area is very important. Do this by using a mild but hardworking anti-bacterial soap or cleanser. Every so often, you may want to use an exfoliating cleanser to get rid of the dead skin that causes darkening. Keep in mind though, that less is more because too much scrubbing can lead to discoloration as well. Make sure to pat the area dry with a towel.
Moisturize
Hydration has immense benefits for your health. It can also help your underarms a huge deal. Counter dryness by moisturizing your underarms with a body lotion. To save you a step, you can also use a deodorant with moisturizing properties.
But if you’re looking to whiten your underarms further, use a gentle moisturizing deodorant to prevent further darkening.
The next time you find yourself overlooking your underarms again, remember that a regimen focused on it is just as important as your weekly mani-pedi or monthly hair do. Adding a few extra steps to your daily routine won’t only give you smoother underarms, but will also provide that extra boost of confidence you get from a good pampering.
