How to Detox Armpits (and Why You Should)
We've created a full guide on how to detox armpits and the benefits of doing so. Whether you're battling body odor or simply looking to brighten up your pits, there are so many benefits of detoxing your armpits.
Armpit detoxes involve deeply cleansing your underarms of any built up bacteria or product residue in a bid to purify your skin, combat body odor, and freshen up your pits. For the best results, you should also try switching out your regular deodorant to an aluminum-free version.
Here's how armpit detoxes work and how to do your own from home.
What is an Armpit Detox?
An armpit detox is the process of cleansing your underarms of impurities and chemical residue -- or basically anything that might be clogging your pores and causing odors and irritation.
Often, armpit detoxing also involves discontinuing the use of aluminum-based antiperspirants to give the underarms the opportunity to purge oil, dirt, sweat, and product residue from the skin. In turn, this enables the skin barrier to repair itself in order to function optimally.
With regards to how to detox armpits you should know that switching to an aluminum-free deodorant isn't the only step in the process. However, it's an important one for helping the microbiome to restore itself.
In addition to discontinuing the use of clogging antiperspirants and skincare products, armpit detoxes involve deep cleansing, exfoliation, and treating to get them in a smooth, bright, and healthy state.
Why Should You Detox Your Armpits
Before we show you how to detox armpits it's worth knowing why you should do it in the first place. According to dermatologists, detoxing your underarms will reduce odor-causing bacteria and ultimately help to combat body odor. Here are all the benefits of armpit detox.
Armpit Detoxes Prevent Irritation
Antiperspirants are generally quite harsh on the skin. By taking a long break from them or switching them for a natural deodorant, you give your skin chance to restore itself to a normal, healthy state. If you regularly experience underarm redness or irritation, an armpit detox can help to prevent future irritation.
Thanks to the deep cleansing involved, it also removes the buildup of product residue, cleansing your pores and preventing further flareups from trigger ingredients.
Armpit Detoxes Combat Body Odor
When it comes to how detox armpits and why, one of the leading benefits is the effects it has on body odor. An armpit detox cleans your underarms and keeps bacteria and odor in check for fresher smelling pits.
Here's why: armpit microbiome impacts your B.O. significantly. There's a strong link between the abundance of malodor-associated bacteria and the development of malodor. The more types of bacteria that live on your underarm area, the worser the odor. According to the experts, antiperspirant can make this worse.
By taking a break from antiperspirant, your microbiome has chance to restore itself, resulting in less odor.
Armpit Detoxes Keep You Healthy
Because antiperspirant and deodorant are applied near the breast, some healthcare professionals have suggested a connection between their ingredients and breast cancer. An armpit detox is a preventative step to stay healthy.
How to Detox Armpits
Here's a step by step guide on how to detox your armpits so you can look forward to fresher, healthier underarms.
Step 1: Switch to a Natural Deodorant
Truly's Unicorn Fruit Brightening + Smoothing Deodorant
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First things first, step away from traditional deodorants and antiperspirants. Switch to a natural, aluminum-free deodorant that contains ingredients that nourish the skin without clogging pores. It may take a few weeks before you see the benefits but it'll give skin chance to recover and shed buildup.
Truly's Unicorn Fruit Deodorant is an aluminum-free deodorant that gently resurfaces with papaya enzymes while balancing the skin's microbiome with probiotics, and softening skin with bacuri butter. It's designed to smooth, brighten, fight discoloration, and sweetly scent your pits.
Step 2: Cleanse Away Impurities With Charcoal
Truly's 24K Gold Black Soap Luxury Butter Impurity Cleanser
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The next step in how to detox armpits: cleanse with a charcoal-infused formula. Charcoal absorbs excess oil and clears impurities from your pores, fending off odors in the process.
Truly's 24K Gold Black Soap Luxury Impurity Cleanser combines the impurity-absorbing powers of charcoal with the antibacterial effects of African black soap to get your underarms clean and odor-free.
Step 3: Exfoliate to Unclog Pores
Truly's Moon Rocks Whipped Body Scrub
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Exfoliation is another important step in how to detox armpits. That's because it helps remove the buildup of dead skin cells and product residue from the skin's surface. Plus, it helps your other skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin for maximum results.
Truly's Moon Rocks Whipped Body Scrub is a sugar-based exfoliator formulated with lavender, coconut, and vitamin E to buff, brighten, and refresh your pits.
Step 4: Pat on an Antibacterial Serum
Truly's Cooka Concentrate Ingrown Serum
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The final step in how to detox armpits -- antibacterial serum. Ingredients like tea tree oil, lavender, and witch hazel boast anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can work wonders when it comes to detoxing your armpits.
Truly's Cooka Concentrate soothes and purifies with its blend of lavender, tea tree, jojoba, and primrose oil. It works to relieve inflammation and promote an even skin tone while purifying the skin of odor-causing bacteria.
How to Make an Armpit Detox Mask
Another method with regards to how to detox armpits is applying a detoxing armpit mask. And it's so easy -- you can make this at home.
Simply mix together one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of bentonite clay, one teaspoon of coconut oil, and two teaspoons of water. Spread the mixture onto your underarm area and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
How Long Does it Take to Detox Your Armpits?
It depends on how long you've been using conventional deodorant or antiperspirant. If you've only been using it for a matter of weeks or months, it won't take long to detox. On the other hand, if you've been using it for years, it can take up to four weeks to detox your armpits and release all the aluminum and toxins.
How Often Should You Detox Your Armpits?
Now that you know how to detox armpits you might be wondering how often you should do it. First off, you should be cutting out aluminum-based deodorant completely. If you want to get rid of all the impurities and toxins, you'll need to use a natural deodorant instead going forward.
As for the armpit detox routine we showed above, we recommend doing this two to three times a week to keep odors at bay.
Can You Do an Armpit Detox Without Bentonite Clay?
Absolutely! With our armpit detoxing routine you don't need to use bentonite clay at all. You can simply skin the DIY mask and just cleanse, exfoliate, and switch to an aluminum-free deodorant.
Is it Safe to Detox Your Armpits?
It's safe to detox your armpits. Provided that you follow the steps above and stick to natural ingredients, you shouldn't experience any armpit detox side effects.
That said, many of the ingredients found in DIY armpit detoxing masks like vinegar can irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, it's best to avoid these DIY treatments and stick to gentle skincare products instead.
While there's not a lot of evidence to support claims that armpit detoxes remove toxic substances from your body, there are still many reasons to give it a try. An armpit detox cleans your underarms and keeps bacteria and odor at bay. What's more, taking a break from (or dropping) your conventional deodorant can prevent health issues in the future.
With Truly's guide on how to detox armpits you'll also get the added bonus of brighter, smoother underarms as well as smelling like a sweet treat.
