Dermatologist debunks whitening myths, shares tips on how to lighten underarms

Anyone who wasn't blessed with flawless skin would understand the struggle of trying to achieve it.

Dark underarms in particular is a pesky problem that many Filipinas are saddled with — and it's so bothersome that they would try all kinds of products and solutions, such as rubbing calamansi and baking soda on the area.

But are calamansi and baking soda the solution to lighter underarms?

Dermatologist Grace Carol Beltran says no.

"Actually ang calamansi kasi, kung ikaw ay sensitive na tao, pwede mag-cause 'yun ng irritation, lalo na nirurub mo sa kilikili. The mere fact that you are rubbing the area every day can cause hyperpigmentation and thickening din," she said in an episode of Pinoy MD.

As for baking soda, it's primarily associated with exfoliation, which would remove dead skin cells but doesn't really address the hyperpigmentation.

Beltran also said that there are no studies proving that baking soda could lighten the skin.

"Sa ngipin yes nakakapag-puti siya, pero I doubt na sa kilikili nakakapagpaputi. Not unless may studies na nagawa na," she said.

So what are the possible solutions to dark underarms?

Use mild products, Beltra advised.

"Kaming mga dermatologists, we use mild ingredients, especially for intertriginous areas...ito 'yung mga pinagpapawisan na kulob. Kailangan mild lang 'yan. Kailangan basic nga lang eh," she said.

That said, she said that kojic acid and arbutin are good places to start.

A more viable option is peeling solutions, which would be followed by religious application of whitening lotion.

During this entire process, sunlight should be avoided for the areas that you're trying to lighten.

Before anything, however, you have to find out what your skin type is.

And more importantly, get yourself checked because dark spots might mean an underlying disease or a different health problem.

—JCB, GMA News