How to Use Potatoes For Underarm Whitening
Generally, potatoes are known to be fat-free and contain potassium, vitamin C, iron, vitamin B6, and lots of starch.
While eating it has some benefits for the skin, some claim rubbing raw potatoes on your skin can help with hyperpigmentation (dark patches).
So can we use really potatoes for underarm whitening specifically?
Do Potatoes Lighten Dark Underarms
Many beauty experts swear that potatoes can naturally lighten dark patches of skin gradually, including the underarms.
There is no official scientific evidence to back this claim up. However, there is much anecdotal evidence.
Many people and experts have tried the potato remedy and have reported positive changes in their skin.
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How Potatoes Lighten Dark Underarms
Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase which is known to have bleaching properties. It also contains vitamin C, which is a known skin toning agent, as well as azelaic acid, which is natural skin brightener.
The combined effect of these two properties is what many people believe is responsible for the skin-lightening abilities of potatoes.
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Now for some great deodorants that can actually help to lighten dark armpits check out:
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How Long Do Potatoes Take To Lighten Underarms
It should take anywhere between 3 and 7 days to start seeing a visible difference in your underarm skin with consistent use.
Everyone’s skin is different and will react differently to potato treatments. This will also depend on how much darkness your skin has, what is causing the darkness, and your skin’s general condition, and sensitivity.
Some people will see changes faster than others.
However, remember that potato is a natural remedy and will take some time. Consistency is key.
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How Often Should Potatoes Be Applied To Underarms
Potato remedies can be applied to your underarms as regularly as your skin can tolerate them.
Many people claim to see benefits when they are used once or twice daily.
However, this will also depend on what other ingredients you are using in your remedies and the sensitivity of your skin. But, potatoes alone are safe to use on your skin daily.
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Can Potato Be Left On Underarms Overnight
Yes, potatoes can be left on your underarms overnight as long as your skin can tolerate them.
Many people do potato masks that they leave on their skin overnight to get the most out of the potatoes.
However, remember that the underarm skin is more sensitive and thinner that the skin of our face or elsewhere on the body. Therefore, you should be careful before trying to leave potatoes on the skin for too long. Patch test a small area first and see how hour skin reacts.
Apart from that, people generally leave potatoes (or potato juice) on their underarms for 15-20 minutes and then wash them off.
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Do Potatoes Help With Underarm Odor
Yes, potatoes can help to reduce underarm odor, but they cannot completely or permanently get rid of it
Potatoes are slightly acidic and anti-bacterial. They can help to balance the pH of your underarms, which helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. They also kill some of the bacteria that cause odor.
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Can Potatoes Be Used As Deodorant
While potatoes can help to reduce underarm odor, they cannot be used in the place of deodorant.
Even though potatoes help to balance the pH of the skin and may help to control sweating, it is not enough to maintain these effects all day.
You will still sweat throughout the day and this can still produce an odor when mixed with any bacteria left on the skin before your next wash.
If you do not want to use traditional deodorants, here are some great natural deodorant alternatives that you can try either;
The Ursa major natural deodorant, click here to see the price for it on Amazon.
Or the Lovefresh Natural Deodorant which is also pretty good too, click here to see it on Amazon.
Best Ways To Use Potatoes To Lighten Underarms (DIYs)
1- Direct Application of Potato To Skin
Ingredients:
- 1 potato
- Potato peeler
- Knife
Directions:
- Wash and peel the potato
- Cut the potato into thin slices
- Wash and cleanse your underarms like you normally would
- Apply the thin slices of potato to your underarms and massage them around gently
- Let the slices sit on your underarms for 15-20 minutes (or overnight) and then remove them.
- Rinse your underarms and moisturize.
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2- Potato Juice
Ingredients:
- 1 potato
- Potato peeler
- Grater
- Bowl
- Cotton balls or cotton pads
Directions:
- Wash and peel the potato
- Grate the potato in a bowl
- Squeeze out the juice from the grated potato
- Wash and cleanse your underarms like usual
- Dip the cotton pad/ball into the potato juice and apply it all over the underarms
- Let the potato juice sit on your underarms for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off
- Dry your underarms and moisturize
3- Potato Juice Underarm Mask
Ingredients:
- 1 potato
- Bentonite clay
- Potato peeler
- Grater
- Bowls
- Spoon or spatula
Directions:
- Wash, peel and grate your potato into a bowl
- Squeeze out the juice from the grated potato
- In another bowl, add some of the bentonite clay
- Add enough potato juice to the clay to form a smooth paste
- Apply the paste to your cleansed underarm skin and let it sit for about 10 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water and dry. Moisturize afterward
4- Potato, Sugar & Lemon Underarm Scrub
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons grated potato
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Bowl
- Spoon
Directions:
- Add two tablespoons of the grated potato and two tablespoons of lemon juice to a bowl
- Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and mix the ingredients until well combined
- Apply this mixture to your underarms and massage gently
- Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse off
- Pat dry and moisturize
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5- Potato and Beetroot Underarm Mask
Ingredients:
- Juice from 1 potato
- Beetroot Juice
- Rice flour
- Bowl
- Spoon/spatula
- Warm water
- Clean cloth
Directions:
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of rice flour to your potato juice
- Then add ½ teaspoon of beetroot juice
- Mix the ingredients until they are well combined into a smooth paste
- Cleans your underarms as usual
- Apply this mixture to your cleansed underarms and leave it on for 20-30 minutes
- Gently wipe off the mixture using a clean cloth dipped in warm water
- Moisturize
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Keep in mind that this mixture cannot be stored and needs to be prepared fresh before each use. Therefore, you can play around with the amount of each ingredient to make sure you do not waste them.
6- Potato & Milk
Ingredients:
- Potato Juice
- Condensed Milk
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
Directions:
- Mix together 2 tablespoons each of potato juice and condensed milk until well combined.
- Apply to your underarms and massage gently for 3 minutes.
- Leave on for 10 minutes then rinse with cool water, pat dry, and moisturize.
7- Potato & Honey
Ingredients:
- Potato Juice
- Honey
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
Directions:
- Mix together 2 tablespoons of potato juice with 1 tablespoon of honey until well combined.
- Apply to your underarms and leave on for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and moisturize.
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8- Potato & Cucumber Underarm Mask
Ingredients:
- Potato
- Cucumber
- Chickpea flour
- Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
Directions:
- Blend 1/4 of potato and cucumber together.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon chickpea flour to make a smooth paste.
- Apply to your underarms and leave on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water, pat dry, and moisturize.
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Benefits Of Potatoes For Underarms
1- Reduces Darkness
Potatoes are a natural source of vitamin c and azelaic acid, which are both brightening agents. It also contains the enzyme catecholase which many believe inhibits or reduces melanin production in the skin.
Constant use of potatoes on your underarms will result in new skin cells that are less pigmented being produced over time.
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2- Hydrates the skin
The underarms are very sensitive and still need to be kept hydrated and healthy. Hydrated, healthy skin is less prone to damage and darkening. Potatoes are said to be a natural source of hyaluronic acid, which is the perfect hydrator for underarm skin.
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3- It is anti-aging
The Vitamin C in potatoes helps the skin to produce more collagen, making it firmer and preventing wrinkles.
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4- It is anti-inflammatory
Potatoes are also very rich in zinc, which helps to reduce inflammation in the skin. This promotes skin healing and regeneration, especially in super sensitive areas like the underarms which can get easily irritated from friction, clothes, or even products.
It also helps to prevent and treat any acne if present (and yes, some people get acne in their underarms. Ouch!).
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5- Can treat sun damage
While it is rare for your underarm to have sun damage, you never know when you might need to know what to do (maybe you sunbathed with your arms up for too long on the beach).
The polyphenols in potatoes are great for soothing and treating sun-damaged skin.
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6- Promotes healthy skin
When eaten and when applied to the skin (even the underarm skin), potatoes promote a healthy constitution. Potatoes contain phenolic compounds, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, folic acid, and b-vitamins that promote the overall health of our skin (as well as our eyes and nervous system).
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Side Effects Of Using Potatoes For Underarm Whitening
Potatoes are generally safe for most people. However, there is a concern that an allergic reaction to raw potatoes on the skin might be a possibility.
Since there is no clinical or scientific research to guide the use of raw potatoes for skin treatments, it is advised that you always patch test your skin before applying potato remedies all over, especially on sensitive skin like your underarms.
Remember that the signs of an allergic reaction may include:
- itchy, red skin
- hives
- swelling
- itchy, runny nose
- wheezing and other breathing difficulties
If you feel lightheaded or like you are about to faint, confused, or dizzy, or if your skin becomes cold and clammy, your heartbeat becomes very fast or you find that you cannot breathe, call 911 immediately.
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Sources:
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