Shaving Can Make The Skin Turn Black, Why?

JAKARTA - Bulu in the armpits can make it uncomfortable and cause body odor, and interfere with appearance. Therefore, many people choose to shave their armpits regularly, especially women.

However, regular shaving of the armpits can lead to several side effects. Starting from armpit skin to coarse spots to blackening.

As is known, the skin in the armpits is soft and thin skin, different from the skin in other areas of the body. This makes the armpits very sensitive to activities such as shaving and using deodorant.

"Kitiak has a high concentration of sweat glands and hair follicles, which means that the skin there experiences more friction and is more sensitive to certain activities, such as shaving or using deodorant," said dermatologist Dr. Kautilya Shaurya, quoted from Huffpost, on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

Activities in the armpits that are carried out regularly such as shaving will make the skin hyperpigmentated, namely the condition of the skin characterized by dark spots.

This occurs due to skin irritation due to the friction of a barber knife and the buildup of dead skin cells, which in turn can cause excessive melanin (skin color) production, so that the skin looks darker.

(Shaving) traumatizing hair follicles, causing irritation, inflammation, and further post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, said another dermatologist, Dr. David Li.

Blacky armpit skin will also get worse if shaving is done without the use of lubricants, such as shaving creams or soap. Without lubricants, the friction between the shaving knife and the skin gets stronger, which causes more irritation, scratches, and inflammatory wounds, and eventually hyperpigmentation.

With that, the doctor suggested that the armpit shaving activity be carried out using a shaving cream or soap. This will help the barbershop be used more smoothly and reduce irritation, so that the effects of blackning can be reduced.

"The lubricant helps the barbershop slide smoothly over the armpits, minimizing damage and embezzlement risk," he added.

In addition, it is also recommended to wipe the armpits with warm water about 10 minutes before shaving. This helps soften the outer layer of the skin, which makes hair easier to shave and reduces the risk of skin wounds from a shaving knife.