skin discoloration in armpits and vaginal area

[iluvkids]

I am white, and I have dark skin discoloration under my arms and in the vaginal area.  It is embarrassing to me to even go to the doctor to ask about it because it looks "dirty".  Is there any way that I can fix this problem or is it normal?

[mickey05]

I would say you are NORMAL. I'm black and even my armpits and stuff are darker. I'm pretty sure it's because hair grows there. it's funny that its darker in the areas that the sun don't shine..

[LovinTiffany]

i also have the darkening of the skin under my arms and back of my neck.. i went to special clenic from wayne state university.. it is a free clinic that helps children and adults with weight issues.. well i am overwight and its hard for me to lose weight and i have something called the metabolic syndrome.. which is where yer body produces too much insulin and stores it as fat.. but neways.. my doctor told me the name of the skin discoloration but i can not remember it.. im not sure if u are overweight but there actually is hardly a cure for it.. all i need to do and if u also are overweight is work on losing weight and it will help lighten the color.. they are working on a cure for it and the reason for it is not sure.. but this clinic is wonderful.

[pinkfaith19]

darkening of the skin in those areas is usually a sign of insulin resistance and is a precursor to diabetes.  you should go be checked out...

[tink3rs]

I have discoloration in my vagina. I am white and it is a much darker color than the rest of my skin. I dont have the problem in my arm pits like the other girls have mentioned. My question is...Is there any way to reverse the discoloration. To answer a couple of questions that may be asked yes I am sexually active and have been for 12 years, I also have had 3 children. Its been a while since anyone has posted on this question but I do hope after my comment that maybe more will, I know there can not just be the few of us with this problem.

[mmgud]

I have a dark color in my armpits and vaginal area too, and i am white as well. Its really embarrassing. Anyway my point is I have PCOS  polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS can cause a lot of different disorders..  high blood pressure, diabetes. Anyway when i had my blood drawn they noticed something weird with my sugar levels, but i dont have diabetes.  My doctor put me on birth control pills, told me that over time they would clear the discoloration up.. it has gotten better in my arm pits but not any better in my vaginal area. I guess it has something to do with insulin resistance. Im going to ask my doctor about metformin.. if anybody has a similar problem.. maybe you have some advice?

[gemini531]

I have discoloration on my vagina. I am 17 and I am not sexually active. It is embarassing to know that here I am with high yellow skin and a dark vaginal area. i think maybe it is because I shave there. I wonder is there some kind of a cream to make it go back to it's normal color.

[Oriental_lady]

I am asian, and my armpits, neck and vaginal area is dark.  I am so embarrassed that I don't even ask the doctor about it.  But I have heard that if you are overweight than that's what causes the dark discoloration.  IF you lose weight it should go away.  But I only thought that white people never got it and only other people with tanner skin tones do.  but its good to know that I am not the only one. I wish there was a way to make the dark discoloration go away because I never wear tank tops because of it.

[Blankart]

Yeah I have the same issue with having dark underarms; and I have an olive complexion. I too find my areas darker than I want them to be.  Anyway my doctor recommended using lemons, or a pumus to scrub the area of old skin cells.  With the Lemon I just placed half of it on my underarm twice daily (in the morning and before I go to bed)   Results are noticable eventually.....it took a while, but its working.  My friend's using or has used pumuses around her underarm also, her results were alot faster than mine, but hey for each person, changes are variable.  Another tip, is to stop shaving and to start waxing and if your thighs are dark then you might have to loose weight first. Also depending on where you live, you can use a specific bletch for the underarm, not sure about the genital and anus area though.  

[blackbrown]

i have black armpits and my friend told me 2 use lemons but my doctor said that would just burn but im  really embaraed by it does it really work

[andimichelle]

I also have this darkening in these areas. Over the years I have done some research and questioned some doctors about it. I have been told so many different different things. I am white, type 1 diabetic, and was slightly overweight. Over the last year and a half I have lost twenty pounds, and to my surprise the dark spots have vanished. I have also read that this can be contributed to polycystic ovarian syndrome. My doctor told me the best way to keep this at bay was to stay on a low dose birth control and get plenty of exercise. If you are diabetic, I do not recommend being on the birth control, instead see if some weight loss aids the discoloration-it did for me.
Also, if this discoloration has become a problem in these areas, be on the lookout for hyper pigmentation on such areas like the neck or chest. Be sure to wear sunscreen. If this does occur then often a skin bleaching cream works over time. (Don't use it in the genital area).

[anonymous780]

I'm white, 17, 125 lbs, and not sexually active. However, I have dark skin in my vaginal area like many of you. I went to the gyno specifically for this because I didn't think I had done anything to cause the discoloration. To my surprise she said that I was completely normal. Even though she told me that I am normal, I still don't think I am. I feel like I look like an old woman down there. For the rest of you who thought you were not normal, apparently you are so don't fret. As for feeling normal I'm not sure any of us ever will.
        

[CurleyGirl7]

I'm a doctor at a local hospital. What you are discribing is called acanthosis nigricans. It is a symptom of insulin resistance which can lead to polycystic ovaries and diabetes. It usually appears in areas that are prone to be wrinkled or have skin overlapping. I usually recommend a cream called Retin-A (Retinoic Acid). It is used to improve the appearance and texture of the skin. It produces a mild, superficial peel of the epidermis (skin). It is usually used to treat acne, but it also helps reduce the appearence of acanthosis nigricans. Any dermatologist can prescribe it, or give you samples to try. I am not sure if it can be used in the genital area, but I would assume it would be alright.
I hope this helps.
Also, anyone with this condition should be tested for diabetes and/or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

[posiposi]

i think it has something to do with skin rubbing together!

[poeticmom]

My skin discoloration is under one arm. It is not directly under my armpit, but a little to the side.  It has never been there before.  It can only be seen when I raise my arms.  Does anyone know if this has any implications?

[abbyjoe]

Hi- I have some dark circles that started out to look like a faint birthmark as it was circular in shape.  Eventually, I noticed that the circle had become larger and darker.  Well now, I am really getting concerned because there are now multiple circles starting to form around it and on the other side of my other leg.  They are freaking me out man.  Im a faithful wife and havent had any other sexual relationships since I was married 7 years ago.  Any info out there?

[kinki]

I am medium dark skin woman and my vaginal area is very dark like almost gray and old looking. I never notice until I started shaving my pubic hair completely. I am totally scared and embarrased about it. My boyfriend looks at it and he doesn't tell me wether any of his ex-girlfriends look the same, yet he doesn't tease me about it. Can someone tell me if this is normal and is there anything to make it lighter.

[Eve71267]

I am a very light skinned black woman and I have dark pigmentation between my upper thighs and anal area.. I am very self concious about this as well but I see it is a normal thing I also heard that models and actresses get these areas lightened.. I think I am going to look into this

[qtlatina]

my problem started when i was 15 I noticed I would sweat alot between my legs....as i got older i started to scrub in the shower really hard and use a cocoa butter stick at night befor bed and that worked really good for me...after being married for almost 10 yrs I stopped doing it since my husband didnt mind the dark skin on my upper thighs  in fact he liked it....now I"m divorced and it bothers me alot...even thoe I know better...that whoever I'm with if they really care it shouldnt bother them...its always still in the back of my mind....Ive tried all the same things I did befor but it doesnt seam to work anymore....so I saw my gyno and sh e advised me to use selson blue and yeast infection cream....you put selson blue on the dark areas leave it on for about 20 minutes and then wash it off .....after that you use the yeast infection cream  in the dark areas and repeat that every day....just found out about it. I still have not tried it yet but we will see if it works.....my gyno said it was due to the sweat and the maisture that could have created a tyoe of yeast infection on the outer part of the vagina....because I dont have dark spots anywhere else....I tend to get a lil dark under my arms...but thats only if i use the wrong deodorant.....anyway good luck to everyone  

[zamzie]

i have skin discoloration inside my inner thigh that closes around the v shaped area of my vagina...ive had it as long as i can remember

it just looks darker than the rest of my body no matter how much i wash it and scrub it and put lotion and take care of it...

it doesnt itch and it doesnt get irritated....im wondering if its a birthmark or something? because ive had it forever and im so embarrassed of it and i dont wanna show the doctor!!!

and especially after ive finished shaving, i get bumps and my vagina just looks so weird and dirty....

but the insides are the same color as my lips...its the part that touches the thighs when i close my legs...it looks like i dont clean it!

oh btw im 17 years old im a virgin! and a girls vagina is supposed to look pretty and smooth and nice and mines doesnt! im just so worried abt showing a partner or a doctor and what they will think of me...and im so glad to know that there are others out there like  me!! but why havent we found a cure or a way to fix this?????

[pinkladie]

Ok so to all of you girls/ women wh are ecperiencing a discolouring.. which appears to be a darkening around your inner thights.. it looks dirrty? but you know your clean.. well i did a whole lot of research on it because i have it too..
so basically it is normal and nothing to worry about basically its because you sweat down there too.. and we wear tioght jeans.. tights.. thats the cause.
so as for a cure...

Cut a lemon in half and litterally start scrubbing on your inner thights. im not kidding you will instantly notice a difference, i started to do that only last night and it is sooo much better and faint.

Ciao

[jules4749]

i have the same problem you all are describing.  i'm 29, not sexually active, and from italian/spanish descent.  years ago, i was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).  they put me on all sorts of hormone medication, but that made me gain weight and had all sorts of other side effects.  

i eventually stopped taking the medication and started eating 1 Tbsp of unrefined, virgin coconut oil every day (you get it at the health food store - $10 for a peanut butter-sized jar).  the coconut oil (when virgin/unrefined) is a natural hormone regulator that scientists are just starting to study.  i have always been athletic and a healthy eater, but was always slightly overweight nonetheless.  with the coconut oil in my diet, i lost 20 lbs (with no other diet/exercise changes) and my periods returned to normal.  the dark spots have gotten better under my arms, but not in my pubic area...

anyway, i wanted to post this on here since many of us with the dark spots also may have PCOS, and after years of medications i finally found something that works.  maybe it'll work for you too?  when you get the weight under control, the other symptoms get better too...

[Mates]

Hello ladies, first, excuse my english, I'm not a native speaker. I'm a white men, I hope you won't mind if I share my experiences with this kind of a very embarassing discoloration. Yes, I have it too, in my case, it's a postinflammatory hyperpigmentation of the groin and anal area because of a yeast infection a year ago (perhaps). I understand you all, I have had a normal nice skin, and now this! it's really unsightly and it can incredibly influence your self-estimation and self-confidence. Well if you want to do something about this, prepare for a long fight.
1. first - make sure that you don't have any type of yeast or fungi infection, you would fight in vain, first get rid of it (see a dermatologist). The most yeast infections are itchy
2. the only thing that helped me a bit is a hydroquinone cream 2% (for ex. from Esoterica night fade cream twice a day) and I also use a kojic acid soap every day in the shower - this is only for the groin or upper part of thighs, for genital or anal area I wouldn't recommend this, because this area is too sensitive. Be really patient, you can expect some results after two months or more - my groin area is now lighter and it looks much better (unlike the anal area - so hard to bleach!!)- but of course it is still there. You can choose a product with hydroquinone (or arbutin) in combination with AHA, like salicylic acid, the acids will help to remove the dead cells faster, there is a shower gel with salicylic acid, or you can purchase some kits on ebay - but be careful - don't use strong concentrations!! I personally use a kit with 30% - but not regullary. I also tried a TCA peel - but only a low concentration - but it didn't help and my anal area turned more brown - a very big dissapointment.
- this is the negative side of the bleaching product - the areas that has to be faded can turn darker, but mostly you should see an improvement. I think the groin area is not so difficult to lighten than genital or in my case anal area - they are really sensitive - I wouldn't use the lemon, I  tried, but the only result was a rash. Use baby powder to keep the area dry. Avoid ingrowing hair at any case.
3. And now something to try - I would like you to try some other possibilities - when it's something that you can't remove, just hide it. There are many concealers on the market. I tried Dermablend - a big dissapontment - a terrible consistence and handling. For lighter discolorations, you can use some type of body make up - like Sally Hansen leg make-up or other type of concealer. In my case, they cover the affected area quite well - not 100%, but it's much better - the only problem is the friction in this area - the legs and the butt - the make up will smudge or rub of with time - any ideas?
-Products to try: Ben Nye is offering some concealers and body make ups and liquid sealers, that should make your make up smudge proof and perspiration proof, would someone test it? the name is i think Final sealer and liquiset, Mahron is offering some kind of liquid sealer too.
- another concealer Apres petite cream cover (or somethink like this), it their advertissement, you should be able to swim - even a whole day on the beach (haha) and go to gym - but the most products are tested on legs or face, not on anal area or the groin - unfortunately - but just give it a try
- Dinair is offering a large palette of airbrush make up including paramedical make-up, which must be cleaned with alcohol-  maybe this is a friction-proof make-up.
The most products are offering also darker tones for people with darker skin. Well, I hope I helped you a bit and would be glad if you add your experiences and make up-testings. Acne is normal, hyperpigmentation is normal, but why doe's everyone on the beach or at the swimming pool have a normal skin, just not me? Keep hope alive.

[Mates]

and another idea - but a little bit more time occupying - but this is only for people with white skin - you can try some kind of a tanning spray or lotion. I don't have a good experience with tanning lotions, because you don't know what to expect and you see the results after a few days, but there is a good product (like I've heard on youtube). I don't know the exact name but it's St. Tropez tanning spray? You should be able to find it, if you use this spray, your skin will look tanned, so the brown discoloration of your body areas won't be so noticable. - will someone test it?

[miszitalian101]

hi iv also had the very same problem i am a mixed female and have always been imbaressed to wear tank tops because of the discoloration on my arm pit. although there are many causes to armpit discoloration there is also a solution, http://skintreatmentassociation.org/skin-bleaching/review.html?gclid=CJrP_PrUjpwCFQVuswod8DTdPg go to this web site, it offers many creams that ACTUALLY WORK! iv tried it .these creams lighten your skin without harsh chemicals. personally i recommend Revolt  it worked for me. if you are not satisfied with the product they will give you your money back

[esmeralda94]

i'm hispanic, my mom is colombian and my dad is salvadorain, and i'm spanish, frenc, and asian but i don't know what country. and dmy skin is tannish whitsih and yellow ish but my skin is light and i too, have skin disclorations in vaginal area and armpits and i'm not sexually active and i'm 14 and i weigh 113. maybe because i shave there. but i'm desperaltely looking for a cure and i pray that i may find it here! i'm so relieved that i'm not the only one and that many women suffer the embrassment about it

[smalle]

I have always had thick thighs and I was wondering if there's anything that I can use to get rid of discoloration between my thighs.... I used a deodarant that also was too strong and left a discoloration under my arms as well.. Are there any suggestions so that I can get starte with this problem... it has really played an important part where my self esteem is concerned and I really want to get rid of it!!!


Thanks

[zzzttt]

helllllooo ladieeees. now im white and i have a dark vaginal and anal area but my armpits are thankfully white. i did a bit or research and there are two lightning cremes that people have actually used and they dooo WORK... the first one is called MELADERM this is a skin lightner and the secon is SOUTH BEACH LIGHTINING GEL FOR INTIMATE AREAS.. now this is a really good one i havent tried it *** yet but know loads of people who have. its suitable for all theose sensitive bits and u can even use it on your nipples. walllllaaah. thanxxxxx 4 the lemon hint will try that too.


hp it worksss for all of us

[GothicHachi]

I discoloring on my neck,inner elbow,arm-pits,my innner thigh,and between my breast can any help?But my old doc. said to use some of this cream at the store it called miconozine(that might be spelled wrong) its not realy doing anything.Can any help me??? you can email me at ***@**** and/or here someone plz help me on this.

[luvangel83]

has anyone actually tried the SOUTH BEACH LIGHTINING GEL FOR INTIMATE AREAS, does it really really work and are there any side effects.

[lady123484]

If the SOUTH BEACH LIGHTINING GEL FOR INTIMATE AREAS works please let me know.... I hope we all can find something that really works for us.

Good luck to all!