Underneath it all

Simon says put your arms in the air above your head.  Look at your underarms...I'm serious, give your armpits a good hard look.  Chances are you haven't really done this until now.  How do they look?  Are they dark, stubbly, or bumpy?  Sorry is these questions are too personal, don't worry your secret is safe with me.  Now back to your armpits.  The attention we give our underarms is slim to none.  We wash, shave and put deodorant on them and that is about as far as most of us go.  Your armpits need love too though, and like I said in my previous blog post, our skin needs exfoliation and that includes your silly armpits.

If you've noticed, your underarms always tend to be a little darker than the rest of your skin on your body.  Sometimes it can become fairly dark and turn into a burden because it may look like you haven't shaved when you just did.  The darkness can be caused by shaving, buildup of dead skin cells, and sometimes maybe even be caused by the ingredients in your deodorant that can react with your skin to cause the pigmentation.  Ladies you will be amazed what some exfoliation can do, oh wait...you already know that :] Here comes your tips and tools that can defeat the darkness!

Weapon:  Studio Tools Buffer Sponges (@ Target $1.99)

Mission:  Take a little extra time and really scrub away all the buildup of dead skin cells, and deodorant that your body wash and loofah can't get.  These little buffers are amazing and cheap!  After that, finish your treatment using your sugar scrub or a body wash with exfoliating beads to give your armpit a second buffering to really get it soft.

DIY lighteners:  If you are already scrubbing that skin raw to get rid of the darkness (please stop!).    Here are some interesting items that you can find around your house that can help lighten the skin without harming it.

1. Potatoes:  Not only is this spud delicious to eat, but potatoes are filled with vitamin C which gives the potatoes juice a natural bleaching effect that can help lighten dark spots and reduce blemishes over time.  So next time your making some mash potatoes, set one aside for your underarms. :D

2. Apple Cider Vinegar:  The high acidity apple vinegar has is help for lightening dark spots.

Note:  Both these items should be applied at night, right before bed after you have cleansed the area.  If you use these natural ways to lighten your skin try doing it 2-3 nights a week.
WARNING: If your loved one for some reason does not want to cuddle with your during these nights because you smell of potatoes and vinegar, that's their problem not yours. ;]

As far as stubble goes, well its hard to avoid that when it comes to underarm shaving, or any shaving for that matter.  I'm going to sound like a broken record, but again exfoliation before and after shaving can help reduce that.  A good razor is also a big factor in keeping that area of the skin looking nice and soft.  Since the skin is not as taught (tight) as the other areas of the skin on the body, its a lot more sensitive.  Spending some money on a nice razor will have your armpits and legs thanking you in the long run.

Left:  This is my favorite razor, the Gillette Venus Embrace.  It has 5 blades that cut the hair very close to the skin, without cutting you.  And i stand behind that 100% because I have not cut myself once with this razor.  And another plus, each razor head lasts super long without wearing out or rusting.  ($11.99 @ Walgreen's)

Right:  Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth deodorant is not only a fresh smelling deodorizer, sweat stopper, but it also prolongs the growth of hair.  I have used this deodorant and it does what it says, I noticed I wasn't shaving my underarms as much when i used this.  ($4.99 @ Walgreen's)

Now if all these crazy tips and tools doesn't make you want to raise your arms up and holler "WOOHOO!"  Well...I don't know what else to tell you!  Hope this was helpful, and you enjoyed this! OK...you can put your arms down now.