Having chicken skin on armpits is a common concern, especially among ladies who are fond of wearing sleeveless shirts. How do these pesky bumps develop, and what’s the effective armpit care routine to get rid of them? Find out here.

Chicken Skin on Armpits: What Causes Them?

To better understand the armpit care routine that helps eliminate chicken skin, it’s best to identify the causes first.

First up, chicken skin on the armpit is in no way an indication that you have bad hygiene practices. Experts say a person may have chicken skin due to:

• Keratosis pilaris (KP), a common skin condition where a protein called keratin plugs the hair follicles, resulting in white or reddish bumps on the surface. KP usually runs in the family.
• Waxing and plucking. Waxing and plucking can pull the skin with the hair and cause the bumps to develop. Dermatologists explain that shaving does not cause chicken skin, but they can lead to small cuts that may lead to folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles).
• Strong antiperspirants can likewise clog the pores and trigger chicken skin.

Armpit Care Routine To Get Rid Of Chicken Skin

Considering the causes, what’s the proper armpit care routine to eliminate chicken skin? Try these tips:

Refrain from waxing and plucking

As mentioned earlier, waxing and plucking pulls the hair with skin and triggers pesky bumps. If you’re prone to having chicken skin, it’s best to consider other hair removal methods, like the use of depilatory creams or laser treatment.

Use a deodorant regularly

The two most commonly used products for our armpit care routine are deodorants and antiperspirants. The first neutralizes odor-causing bacteria, while the latter blocks sweat glands with aluminum-salts.

While it’s sensible to use antiperspirants to reduce sweating, dermatologists say aluminum may be too harsh of a chemical: they might cause irritation and inflammation or rough and bumpy skin.

Pro Tip: Experts recommend using an aluminum-free deodorant that contains a moisturizer. This can help smoothen the skin. Don’t know where to start? Consider these two product suggestions:

• NIVEA Deodorant Naturally Good Bio Aloe Vera. It contains 0% aluminum and even has aloe vera, which is a great moisturizer.
• DOVE Women Aluminum Free Deodorant Spray Or Roll on Cucumber & Green Tea. Besides being aluminum-free, it also contains cucumber and green tea known to soothe skin. It also has ¼ moisturizing cream.

Exfoliate regularly

Part of the armpit care routine that eliminates chicken skin is exfoliation. This removes the top, bumpy layer of the skin and the dead skin cells plugging the hair follicles.

You can also undergo exfoliating treatments in the dermatology clinic. Likewise, the dermatologist can also recommend over-the-counter products with exfoliating agents like lactic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid.

If you’re looking for possible products to try, consider these:

• The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. On top of the glycolic acid that helps exfoliate, it also has aloe vera that helps soothe the skin.
• Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic To-Go Exfoliating Toner Pads. This product also has glycolic acid, ginseng, and aloe extract.
• COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. Instead of glycolic acid, this exfoliant contains alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids.

Important: You must not exfoliate daily because it can further irritate the skin. Exfoliating once a week is often enough. Also, before using any product, don’t forget to do a patch test.

Key Takeaways

Chicken skin on armpits is a common concern. If you have them, it’s probably due to plucking or waxing. Hence, the armpit care routine to eliminate chicken skin includes:

• Refraining from plucking and waxing and considering laser hair removal.
• Using gentle products, such as aluminum-free deodorant with moisturizer
• Exfoliating regularly

If you have other concerns or are not satisfied with the way your armpit care routine is going, don’t hesitate to talk to your dermatologist.

Learn more about Skin Care and Cleansing here.