How to Remove Underarm Stains After Childbirth?

Underarm stains during pregnancy are a common problem of hormonal origin. Here are some tips to apply after childbirth to remove them.
How to Remove Underarm Stains After Childbirth?

Last update: 12 March, 2023

Did your armpits turn dark during pregnancy? Don’t worry, this problem is very common and will resolve over time. It’s all caused by hormones, which go crazy while you’re pregnant. They’re also responsible for hirsutism or gingivitis. Wait until your baby’s born and you’ll see how everything goes back to normal. However, if you want to speed up the process and remove underarm stains, here are some tips to apply in the postpartum period.

Why do underarms turn black during pregnancy?

The first thing you should know is that not and skins are the same, nor do they react in the same way to hormonal changes. It’s common for underarm stains to disappear gradually after childbirth. If this isn’t the case, no one can give you a recipe or infallible trick to get rid of them. Keep in mind that what works for other women may not work for you.

For this reason, we’ll offer you our best ideas. Choose which one you want to try and then let us know how it worked for you. Remember that your health, beauty, and experience are important to us.

How to prevent underarm stains during pregnancy

If you want to take preventive measures, the best thing to do is to apply a daily sunscreen cream to the area. Ask your trusted dermatologist for a recommendation.

A woman with her arms behind her head, showing her armpits.

How to get rid of armpit stains after childbirth

Potato water fomentation

Take a potato, wash it well, cut it into pieces, and put it in a blender without adding water. You’ll notice that as soon as you start blending it, it will release its juices.

This juice is what you’ll use to remove the stains in your armpits.

Use a gauze pad soaked in the potato juice. Apply them for 15 minutes, three times a day. Repeat the procedure for three weeks.

At the end of each session, remove the gauze and let the juice dry naturally under your arms. Then you can wash with soap and water.

Baking soda and lemon

Lemon juice is a popular natural product for bleaching stains.

This tip requires you to cut a lemon in half. Sprinkle baking soda on it and gently rub it on your underarms.

Let it soak for 5 minutes. Then, remove the mixture with plenty of soap and water. Dry and rub talcum powder or a refreshing cream.

Repeat the procedure three times a day for two weeks. If you notice that your skin becomes irritated or doesn’t lighten, abandon this course of treatment.

Raw sugar and hydrogen peroxide

Exfoliate the skin under your arms using sugar. To do this, you should wet your armpits with tap water. Take a handful of sugar and rub it in for 1 minute.

Then, wash with plenty of soap and water, dry the area, and apply hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes.

Repeat the procedure twice a day for three weeks.

Pumice and milk

Wet your underarms with water. Exfoliate with a pumice stone for 1 minute on each side. Wash with plenty of soap and water, pat dry, and apply cotton pads soaked in cow’s milk for 15 minutes.

Repeat for 1 full month to see results.

Sugar and vinegar

Use sugar to exfoliate the skin under your arms for 1 minute. Remember to wet your underarms with tap water first.

After exfoliating, wash with water. Dry the area and apply vinegar pads for 20 minutes, two to three times a day.

Then, remove the vinegar using plenty of soap and water. Dry well.

This idea should be carried out for a whole month.

Why apply these tricks after childbirth and not during pregnancy?

Armpit stains during pregnancy are a common problem, due to the multiple hormonal changes that your body undergoes. Those responsible for this problem are called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human placental lactogen, estrogens, and progesterone. Once the gestation process is over, your skin will gradually return to normal.

Let some time pass: Give your body a chance to regenerate. And if it’s taking longer than it should, then try the tips we’ve selected for you.

Do underarms darken during pregnancy for other reasons?

Underarm stains during pregnancy can also be caused by other reasons:

  • Poor hygiene in that area
  • Constant rubbing against clothing
  • Prolonged use of alcohol-based deodorants and other hygiene products
  • Excess of sweat and dead cells that mix with dirt and sometimes remain there for a whole day
  • Genetic causes

Remember: Armpit stains in pregnancy usually disappear on their own some time after delivery.

If this isn’t the case for you, put into practice some of our secrets, maintain good hygiene in the area, and don’t use deodorants containing alcohol.

And one more very important thing: Although we only suggest natural products, try not to apply them during breastfeeding, so as not to affect your baby. Dedicate your sleeping hours to taking care of your skin.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Serrano Wiesner, M. de L. A., Fernández Veliz, M. A., Landín Ramírez, T. M., & Amaluisa Andriuoli, G. A. (2022). Cambios dermatológicos que se producen durante el embarazo. RECIMUNDO6(4), 36-45.
  • Moreno Collado, C. La piel durante el embarazo. Dermatol. rev. mex 39 (5): 276-82
  • Vásquez Lobo, B.; Vásquez Lobo, AJ.  MedUNAB ; 5(14): 83-94, 2002. 
  • Hillier, A. Salud Natural, Vol. 42, número 3 (2012)

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.