Most of us put all our effort into keeping our faces smooth, protected and glowing like a glazed doughnut — and our bodies end up as an afterthought. Take your underarms. They are one of the least visible areas of skin, so it is easy to let looking after them slide. But if you are after clear, smooth armpits, this one is for you. To find the best ways to care for the skin under your arms, the original article turned to three board-certified dermatologists — Dr. Brendan Camp, Dr. Divya Shokeen and Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose — for their advice. And here is their hint up front: that dull, disposable razor may be exactly what is leaving your underarms uneven and bumpy. Below is what the experts recommend for keeping underarms hydrated, smooth and free of irritation.
The short version first. Exfoliate with a gentle chemical exfoliant to clear away dead skin cells and keep irritation down. Moisturise consistently, especially after showering, to soothe the skin and reduce bumps and roughness. And if you want a longer-term answer, laser hair removal takes shaving out of the equation altogether.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist specialising in medical and cosmetic dermatology at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. Dr. Divya Shokeen is a board-certified medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatologist and the founder of Ocean Skin & Vein Institute. Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose is a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist based in New York City and Southampton.
Exfoliate on the Regular
When smooth skin is the goal, exfoliation needs a careful place in your routine. It helps slough off dead skin cells — the kind that can clog pores — and it promotes collagen synthesis, which helps improve texture and keep the skin plump and tight.
Dr. Shokeen’s advice is to use a gentle chemical exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. She prefers chemical exfoliation over physical exfoliants, she says, so you do not create more trauma, but instead gently help to brighten and improve the quality of the skin under your arms. Chemical peeling works with acidic solutions such as salicylic acid, lactic acid or glycolic acid on the skin to promote stimulation, which results in exfoliation.
Physical exfoliators are a different story. Products with small beads can cause irritation and trauma to the skin, so they are not the right tool for this delicate area.
Dr. Murphy-Rose puts it as a balancing act: the trick to smooth underarms is finding the balance between exfoliating and not irritating this delicate skin. She is also an advocate for chemical exfoliation. If your underarms are bumpy, she generally recommends a chemical exfoliant — start once weekly, then increase only as tolerated. Her rule of thumb is gentle chemical exfoliators over harsher manual abrasives: think lactic acid rather than sugar scrubs.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
For healthy skin, moisturising is crucial, and that includes the skin under your arms. Dr. Camp explains that moisturisers containing keratolytic agents help gently remove dead skin cells from the surface, and that ingredients like glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid show up in many over-the-counter moisturisers that promote smooth, hydrated skin. And yes — if those ingredients sound familiar, it is because they are the same base ingredients you will find in a chemical exfoliation.
Dr. Shokeen recommends applying a hydrating lotion or cream to the underarms after showering. That can help soothe and soften the skin, she says, making it less prone to irritation and inflammation — and it can also help reduce the appearance of bumps and roughness, especially after using an exfoliant.
Skip the Dry Shave
It is easy to get lazy with shaving, and dry-shaving your underarms in a pinch can seem like a quick fix. But the experts warn against it: do not shave without skincare products if you want smooth underarms.
Dr. Murphy-Rose says she talks to her patients about their skincare habits all the time, and she is always surprised to learn how often they skip shaving cream or gel. She recommends using a shave gel and a razor with clean blades that are frequently replaced — avoiding shaving irritation and bumps, she adds, will help you achieve smoother underarms.
On top of using shaving cream or gel, the experts recommend softening the hair with a steamy shower, exfoliating the area before shaving, and using a sharp blade. Say goodbye to dull razors — they are not your friend — and of course, finish with a moisturiser to keep the skin happy.
Consider Laser Hair Removal
The experts offer another, more permanent solution for smooth underarms: laser hair removal. It is arguably the most expensive route, and it takes time, effort and commitment — but when all is said and done, you will have smooth armpits and results that last.
Dr. Camp explains that laser hair removal is an effective way to eliminate the stubble that comes with shaving. It is a well-tolerated procedure, and laser hair removal to the axillae can effectively eliminate underarm hairs after a series of treatments.
The experts share that laser hair removal can typically take around six months, with appointments every four to six weeks depending on the person and their hair growth pattern. Some people may see results quickly, while others have more stubborn hair that needs more appointments.
When it comes to laser as a solution for smoother underarms, it is important to follow the exact aftercare instructions your professional gives you, to ensure the smoothest results and the safest healing process.
Source named in the original article: Grajqevci-Kotori and Kocinaj, “Exfoliative Skin-peeling, Benefits from This Procedure and Our Experience”, Medical Archives, vol. 69,6 (2015).
