Level-up your kili-kili confidence

Dark underarms can be a source of frustration or even a burden at worst. For late bloomers who are still finding their self-confidence, this is yet another challenge to overcome.

But did you know that seemingly harmless habits can lead to undesirable dark armpits? If you’re curious about what you might have been doing wrong, here are some things to remember so you can have kinis-puti underarms!

A health concern?
First, let’s set it straight. Dark underarms may occur due to underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), psoriasis, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, allergic contact dermatitis or rash, and other skin disorders. If you suspect any of these, visit your doctor to get the correct diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Develop good habits
Other times, dark underarms may be caused by bad habits. You may not realize it yet, but you could have been doing it for quite some time already.

For instance, shaving normally gives the illusion of darkness as it leaves hair follicles beneath the skin’s surface. But doing it too harshly or without using shaving cream can cause small cuts that inflame the skin. Likewise, pulling hair out aggressively can cause irritation. Such injury on the skin leads to hyperpigmentation, darkening the armpit’s skin over time.

Your choice of clothing can also contribute to your likelihood of developing dark underarms. As our body moves, it goes through a lot of friction. Tight-fitting clothing exacerbates friction, causing skin irritation. Over time, this excessive rubbing can lead to darkened skin.

Infrequent exfoliation may also lead to the dreaded dark spots. “Exfoliation” sounds intimidating; but simply put, it’s the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. Our body constantly replaces dead skin cells daily, so it can easily build up if you don’t clean up. As dead skin cells accumulate, they increase pigmentation. The armpit area is particularly sensitive to this, thus appearing darker.

Embrace a more confident you
Barring health issues, dark underarms are generally manageable.

For starters, get to know your skin better. Learn more about skin types and be more informed about the products you use, especially their ingredients. Knowing these will help you avoid things that may do you more harm than good.

And when it comes to your routines, it pays to be more careful of your skin. When shaving or plucking hair, be gentler and use appropriate products to prevent cuts or irritation. Avoid wearing tight clothes. Most importantly, don’t make poor hygiene a habit. Bathing is the easiest way to exfoliate. Scrub your body well, paying close attention to often neglected areas like the armpits.

At the end of the day, it’s totally normal to feel self-conscious about underarm discoloration. But don’t let it stop you from being you. Everyone has unique features and imperfections, and it’s okay to embrace them. What really matters is that you feel comfortable, confident, and empowered in your skin.

Before you know it, you’re already a more confident you, just like how Herlene Budol overcame her insecurities about her underarms.

Coming from humble beginnings, then rising as an actress and a beauty queen, Herlene faced many harsh opinions about her appearance. “Dati wala po akong confidence” (I didn’t have confidence before), she revealed during her interview in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. Instead, she pushed forward and didn’t let the bashing weigh her down. “Kung kinaya ko, dapat kayanin niyo rin” (If I can do it, so can you).

Playing a key role in her quest for confidence was none other than Silka Deo. During her launch as the brand’s new ambassador, the Kili-Queenly icon bared her insecurities about her underarms, and how Silka Deo has given her the much-needed confidence boost. “Kasama ko siya araw-araw... Confidence! Kapag lalabas ako ng bahay, buong-buo yung pagkatao ko, na kaya kong humarap kahit kanino.” ([Silka Deo] is with me every day... Confidence! Whenever I go out, I feel I can face anyone), she said.

Silka Deo’s affordability and effectiveness has made it a staple in the Filipino household, just like how it was for Herlene and their family’s sari-sari store. At the low price of P49.00 and P38.00 for the 40ml and 25ml bottles, respectively, Silka’s Whitening Deodorant line offers consumers an accessible companion for that kili-kili puting walang budol. Available in four variants, Silka Deo targets common underarm issues by lightening the skin, correcting spots, smoothening “chicken skin” and maintaining a cool feel.