Thank you for your question. Darkening of the underarms and inner thighs happen when there is a stimulation of pigment cells in these areas. A common cause is skin irritation. When there is repeated shaving or wearing of tight clothing, skin around that area not only becomes thicker but darker too. Discoloration can also be related to genetics, certain medical conditions, and hormonal changes like those seen in pregnancy. Individuals with darker skin types often find that they are more susceptible to it.
There are several treatment options available for this condition, and your doctor might combine multiple treatments to expedite lightening. Prescribed creams like retinoids and vitamin C are able to gradually lighten the affected areas. However, these take time when used alone. Pigment lasers are effective in targeting the discolouration while resurfacing fractional lasers and chemical peels help to encourage new collagen growth and exfoliate thick darkened skin.
Before undergoing treatment, aggravating factors causing physical or chemical irritation to the areas should be identified and removed. As our skin is naturally thicker in these regions, healing will be more gradual and it might take cumulative sessions to see meaningful lightening. Therefore, it is essential to care for your skin before as well as after the treatment.
It is best to consult a doctor for darkened underarms and inner thighs as there are various causes for this, and it may sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition that requires attention. In some cases, simple solutions like a prescription cream would suffice, without the need for expensive and lengthy treatments! An experienced consultation can be the most valuable time and monetary investment. Hope this answer helps you!
