darkening of the skin

im 15 years old and i take care of my hygene very well but under my armpits the skin is a very dark brown so i scub it but its not dirt. i also have it where the pads of my bra meet the back strap of my bra(right below the armpit. i was wondering what it is and how do i make it go away. please helpppp!

[BeeFree]

My sister had these pigmentations as well, as do many women. I've heard several reasons why this might occur (like diet, perfume/lotions, long-term shaving or irritation, and so on) so it is hard to say what's causing it for each individual. But you can fade it by regularly exfoliating, which in time will shed the old skin cells and ensure that new ones are always reaching the surface.
Be gentle though. Try to alternate between chemical/fruit acids (like lemon, which is also a natural lightener) and manual exfoliation, and only do this a couple times a week. Always be sure to moisturize after exfoliating.

PS. My sister's pigmentation has disappeared. :-)

All the best,
Brittany

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to hyperpigmentation skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin.

Treatment involves hydroquinone, azelaic acid, corticosteroids, tretinoin cream and laser treatment. Please discuss these options with your dermatologist before using them.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.