Underarm Brightening
For darkening from friction, shaving or deodorant irritation.
4–6 sessions
Duration
20–40 minutes
Anaesthesia
None usually needed
Sessions
6–10 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart, then maintenance
Downtime
None to 3 days of light flaking, depending on depth
About this treatment
What it does
Treatment for melasma, sun damage, post-inflammatory marks and uneven tone — deliberately conservative, because pigment punished aggressively tends to come back worse.
How it works
Pigment production is suppressed with topical and oral therapy while existing pigment is broken up with low-fluence laser or peels. Sun protection is part of the treatment, not advice bolted on afterwards.
What to expect
Gradual — expect months, not weeks, and expect to maintain it. Downtime: none to 3 days of light flaking, depending on depth. Typically 6–10 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart, then maintenance.
Looking after it
SPF 50 every day, reapplied — this is the treatment, not an add-on. No scrubs, acids or retinoids for 5 days after each session. Expect maintenance; melasma is controlled rather than cured.
Options
Peel course
6 superficial peels, 2–3 weeks apart
- Popular
Laser toning
Low-fluence sessions plus topical therapy
Melasma protocol
Long-term combination plan with maintenance
No price is listed on this page. The treatment plan and its cost come from the doctor after an assessment.
Who it suits
- Patches that darken every summer and never fully clear
- Melasma that has come back after aggressive treatment elsewhere
- You want a conservative plan you can maintain rather than a quick strip
Before & after
Drag the handle across each photograph to compare.
Underarm Brightening
Underarm Brightening · illustrative comparison 1
Underarm Brightening
Underarm Brightening · illustrative comparison 2
Illustrative comparisons. These show the kind of change each course is aimed at; they are not photographs of BluDerma clients and will be replaced by consented client images. Results vary: the session counts and timeframes shown are typical, not a promise.
Safety & aftercare
Precautions
- Tell the doctor about every medicine and supplement you take, including blood thinners and isotretinoin.
- Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning painkillers for 24 hours before and after, unless prescribed.
- Sun exposure before or after the treatment increases the risk of pigmentation — use SPF 50 daily.
- Reschedule if the treatment area has an active infection, cold sore or open wound.
Possible side effects
- Stinging and redness during and after treatment
- Light flaking for a few days
- Rebound darkening if sun protection lapses
Not suitable if
- Recent sun exposure or an active tan
- Pregnancy, for most topical and oral agents
- Isotretinoin within 6 months, for deeper peels
Aftercare
- SPF 50 every day, reapplied — this is the treatment, not an add-on
- No scrubs, acids or retinoids for 5 days after each session
- Expect maintenance; melasma is controlled rather than cured
General information, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. What suits your skin, at what depth and over how many sessions, is decided by a doctor after an examination.
Underarm Brightening
Plan and cost come from the doctor, after an assessment.