MANY women are born with fair armpits, but due to shaving, their underarm skin gets damaged and eventually darkens.
Shaving is the quickest way to remove hair, but it is unforgiving to sensitive underarm skin.
As dermatologist Dr. Anna Palabyab-Rufino explained, “One-third of what you remove is actually skin. Shaving takes the hair off together with the skin’s topmost layer, leaving it irritated.”
The condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It happens when shaving causes trauma on the skin, leaving it red and inflamed and, later on, darker. Skin gets dry and bumpy because it does not heal properly.
But even if shaving is known to cause stressful underarm issues, 70 percent of Filipino women still shave their ’pits, according to a study conducted by Dove. After all, shaving is the quickest and most affordable way to keep hair away.
“It’s practical, and some women even do it daily, so it is best to protect the underarms,” Rufino said. “Dove works by moisturizing skin, and lessening friction between the blade and the skin.”
For women who are not yet ready to part with their razors, Dove offers a solution: the Dove Whitening Deodorant that comes in roll-on, aerosol spray and solid-stick formulas. It has ¼ moisturizing cream which soothes underarm skin and protects it from irritation, plus vitamins E and F that help lighten and smoothen underarms while repairing damage caused by shaving.
And it’s an antiperspirant, so it keeps underarms dry, especially during this scorching summer.
‘Go Shave’
Just in time for bikini season, Dove recently held the “Go Shave” event hosted by TV personalities Saab Magalona-Bacarro and Patty Laurel-Filart. They reminded women to take care of their underarms even while shaving to keep them fair and fresh.
“I’m a mom who doesn’t sleep!” Filart said. “I need all the help I can get. I have no time for complicated beauty routines, and Dove is readily available.”
Inquirer Lifestyle columnist Kelly Misa-Fernandez and blogger Dani Barretto also talked about their shaving experiences at the event held at the roof-deck of Greenbelt 5, Makati City, the Greens.
Rufino gave some tips on keeping ’pits perfect:
“Use a moisturizing soap, then use Dove deo which can also make growing hair finer, and shave only as needed. Avoid rubbing calamansi on underarms because while it is traditionally believed to ‘whiten’ skin, it is too acidic and can cause damage.”
As a summer treat, each Dove roll-on and spray deo comes in a special box with a free pouch and a raffle coupon to a beach trip for two to El Nido, Palawan. Draw date is April 1.
Visit www.dove.ph.
