When it comes to underarms, nothing shouts like smooth, hairless and evened out. You can either keep wishing for perfect ones or you can start acting.
We have compiled a list of tools and treatments that range from routines to those that depend on your tolerance and the depth of your pocket. How much are you willing to spend for the coveted silky smooth underarms?
Whitening Underarms at Home
Whitening Deodorant
How it works: It is both a deodorant and a whitening product. It contains ingredients that whiten and smoothen. According to dermatologists, the results are slower compared to derma products.
How much: $7 and above
How frequently you should use: Daily
Best for: Budget queens (and kings)
Try: Dove Advanced Care Ultimate White Roll On, $9.59 (40ml), Belo Essentials Whitening Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Roll On, $7.85 (25ml), NIVEA Anti-Perspirant Extra Whitening Roll On, $10.20 (50ml), Rexona Advanced Whitening Roll On, $14.89 (50ml).
Whitening Creams
How it works: This is different from the deodorant. It is a cream purposely applied for whitening the armpits after several weeks of use.
How much: $18 and above
How frequently should you use: Usually comes with instructions on the label or from the place of purchase. Most are used once or twice daily on cleansed skin.
Best for: Those who don’t mind spending a little more than the cost of a deodorant. Their effectiveness varies depending on different individuals and strength of the product.
Try: Belo Essentials Underarm Whitening Cream, $20.98 (40g), Zeta White, $ 118.47, comes with lightening face wash, (50ml) moisturizer (30ml) and night cream (30ml), Meladerm Skin Lightening Cream, $ 49.99 (50ml) and KB Underarm Whitening Spray, $18.86 (60ml).
Getting rid of the Fuzz
Basic Disposable razor
How it works: It offers a fast and hassle-free solution when used properly.
How much: $5 and above.
How often you should shave: Once a week. If you shave more regularly, you irritate your skin which leads to more darkening.
Best for: Those looking for a quick fix.
Try: Schick Exacta Sensitive, $7.95 (10 blades), Gillette Daisy Plus for Women Twin Blade, $12.94 (12+1 blades.), Bic Soleil Bella Sun-Twist Scented Women’s disposable razor, $5.20 (4 blades), Bic silky touch women’s twin blade, $13.67, (4pcs, 10 blades each).
Reusable Razor
How it works: It is made of a stronger and more resilient handle compared to disposable razors. The blade cartridge needs replacement once in a while.
How much: $6.99 and above
How frequently should you shave: Once in a week. Frequent shaving irritates skin, which can lead to darkening
Best for: Chicks who would rather not keep trashing the environment
Try: Gillette Venus Snap Cosmo Pink, $6.99 (with women on the go travel razor), Schick Quattro for women Razor value pack, $7.99 (4 blade refills), Women’s 5 Blade System Razor, $6.99, Venus Close & Clean, $9.99 (1 razor refill).
Keeping the Fuzz Away longer
Plucking
How it works: This involves plucking individual hair strands from the root using tweezers. It may result in irritation and ingrown hairs. Use of clean and sterile tweezers, taking a bath before plucking and not applying anything on your armpits after plucking can alleviate the situation.
How much: Different per brand
How frequently you should do it: Once every 2-3 weeks based on your hair regrowth
Best for: Physically flexible girls on a budget who have some tolerance for pain and plenty of time for DIY
Try: Tweezerman pointed Tweezers, $12, Majestic surgical Tweezers, $8, Revlon Expert Tweezers, $10.99, Eye of Horus Precision Tweezers, $15 and up, Rubis Slanted Tip Tweezers, $31.
Threading
How it works: This an art in which an expert uses twisted thread to pluck individual hair strands at the follicle level. It is an ancient Indian hair removal practice. It is accompanied by some pain and discomfort, especially for first-timers.
How much: $10 and above
How often you should do it: Once every 2-3 weeks based on your hair regrowth
Best for: Girls who would rather not deal with shaving and plucking
Try: Sarus Threading & Beauty, $10, Aayna threading Salon, $12, Shabby’s skin Kare $20.
Depilatory cream
How it works: The cream dissolves the hair above the skin surface where you can easily wipe it off.
How much: $5 and above
How frequently you should use: Need to basis. Be sure to do a patch test before use.
Best for: Those who don’t have the patience or tolerance for plucking, threading or waxing.
Try: Pilaten Painless Depilatory Cream, $5.99, Veet Gel hair remover cream $ 8.07, Sally Hansen Cream hair Remover, $5.98, Veet Fast Acting Gel Hair remover (sensitive), $23.99.
DIY waxing
How it works: It is a semi-permanent hair removal technique. A thin layer of cold or hot wax is spread over the hairy skin and a strip of paper or cloth smoothed over it. Once it solidifies, it is peeled off swiftly against the direction of the hair growth to remove the hair from the core.
How much: Price depends on brand and number of strips
How frequently you should do it: 1-2 times a month based on your hair regrowth
Best for: Those who want to stay longer without regrowth and are willing to withstand waxing pain.
Try: Veet Wax Strips Sensitive Formula, $59.94 (pack of 6 x 20 strips), Beauty Formulas Hair Removal Wax Strips, $34.48(36 strips), Non-woven Hair Removal Waxing Strips, $8.54, (100 strips), Parissa Wax Strips Assorted Sizes, $11.14 (12 strips).
Professional Waxing
How it works: Waxing done is in a salon/spa by a professional
How much: $13 and above
How frequently you should do it: 1-2 times a month based on your hair regrowth
Best for: Those who do not want the hassle of DIY
Try: Vicky at West, $16, Inspire Permanent makeup, $13, Wave beauty Salon $41, Micro Current & Electrolysis services, $21, SBL Skin Boost Lab, $47.
IPL Hair Removal Treatment
How it works: IPL means intense pulsed light. This is a procedure that uses broad spectrum light targeted at the hair follicles. The pigment in the follicles absorbs the light energy, converts it into heat energy and destroys the follicles. While it causes significant hair reduction, it does not cause permanent hair removal. It may require up to 5 sessions to get the desired effects. Regrowth can also occur after several months which can be handled with touch-ups.
How much: Ranges between $75-$500 per session but you should inquire for more info since many providers give packages and promotion deals
How often you should do it: 5-10 sessions 4-6 weeks apart.
Best For: Those looking for lasting results
Try: Kalologie 360 Spa, $115, YouthFill MD, $76, Your Laser Skin Care $99, Adagio Aesthetic Medicine, $46.
To Smoothen Underarms at Home
DIY Peeling or Scrubbing
How it works: It helps in sloughing dead skin cells through exfoliation
How much: price differs depending on different brands and sizes
How frequent you should do it: It varies for different products. Check the label for instructions.
Best for: Babes on a budget and DIY pros
Try: KB Vitamin C Peeling Gel Skin Whitening For Face, Neck, and Underarm, ~$35 (100ml),Human Nature 100% Natural Vanilla Body Scrub, $10.96 (6.76oz), Oatmeal Soap bar, $8.54 (4.5oz), Majestic Pure Himalayan Salt Body Scrub, $12.40 (10 oz)
To Professionally Whiten Underarm Skin
Salon Scrubs
How it works: This is a scrub done by qualified personnel in a spa-like setting using products that you may not find locally.
How much: Various salons offer different rates; also dependent on areas covered
How often you should do it: Once a week with close attention to your skin’s sensitivity
Best for: Those who want to notch up their exfoliation
Try: Wi Spa, $25(full body scrub), Luxury Day Spa, $35, Burbank Haircuts, $20,
Underarm Lightening and Smoothening Treatment via Dermatologist
How it works: This is a procedure that incorporates dermatological equipment and skin care products to treat skin.
How much: Cost is dependent on intensity and type of treatment.
How frequently you should use: 1-2 times a month or as per the derma’s recommendation.
Best for: Those who have used over-the-counter creams and other treatments without success. The services of a qualified dermatologist come in handy.
Try: Elude Medical Skin and Spa Dermapen Micro-Needling, from $150, Cure Med Spa Laser, $600 (6 sessions + 2 touch ups) Tikkun Spa Vi Peel, from $250, Wi Spa Buff and Brown Sugar Polish, $120.
Advanced Derma Treatments
How it works: The procedure incorporates dermatological equipment and skin care products to treat skin.
How much: The cost varies according to the condition of the skin and the kind of treatment.
How frequently you should use: The derma recommends the treatment and frequency based on his/her assessment and consultation. You can choose among chemical peel, laser or LED treatments.
Best for: Those whose underarm skin issues are beyond the ability of over-the-counter creams. These could be scarring or hyperpigmentation. They work best in consultation with a licensed dermatology.
Try: LA Laser and Skin Center Fractional Laser Treatment, $800, Bel Air Aesthetics Laser Treatments, $200-$3000, Radiance Spa Medical Group PicoSure Treatment, from $300, Touch of Class MedSpa & Laser Center TCA Peels, from $400.
Conclusion
There you have it! Perfect armpits come with a price tag; you have to invest something in terms of time, money, and sometimes your comfort. If you have the time DIYs can help you get rid of the hair and lighten your armpits right at home. These come in handy when you are operating on a budget or are a DIY queen. Alternatively, you can pay more for a salon, derma or advanced treatments. Whichever works for you, the end justifies the means!