Skip to main content

BlissMark may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to get smooth armpits and ban stubble

There is nothing like raising your arm and noticing you didn’t do a great job shaving and have red bumps where you expected to see smooth skin. This is especially frustrating if you planned to bare your arms that day in a tank top. It’s happened to all of us, so no judgment here. If you’re tired of having to check before you stretch your arms, then stay with us. With a few easy tips, you can have smooth underarms so you can rock those short sleeves, no stubble spotted.

A razor and exfoliate bar.
Castorly Stock/Pexels

Why your armpits are bumpy

One of the main culprits of bumpy underarms is sensitive skin. The follicles can become irritated after you shave or apply any skincare products, so some people need to be especially careful about the type of razors and shaving gel they purchase. Along these lines, there’s also a chance you may be allergic to the shaving products or deodorant you use, which can cause rashes and redness.

Related Videos

However, it’s most likely that your armpits are breaking out into bumps because you’re missing an important step in your shaving routine. Let’s break it down.

Your shaving routine

Here’s what you need to do to ensure your armpits are smooth and hair-free:

  • First up: check your razor. If it’s dull, it’s not going to do the job. Try to replace your razor head once a week, or about once every seven shaves. If you have coarse hair, you might need to change the blade every five shaves or so. For an even smoother shave, look for razors with a moisture strip and multiple blades like Venus Vera Bradley Women’s Razor. You won’t have to make as many strokes, which means you irritate your skin less.
  • Whether you want shave gel or shave cream, the important thing is to not shave dry. Even if your razor has a moisture strip, it’s not going to give you a smooth shave alone. When picking a shaving cream or gel, look at the ingredients to make sure there aren’t any added fragrances, which tend to irritate sensitive skin. We recommend Gillette Satin Care Ultra Sensitive, which is completely free of fragrance and dyes.
  • After shaving, treat your pits with TLC. Rinse off any remaining cream and stubble and gently pat dry.
  • Unlike the hair on your legs, underarm hair grows in multiple directions so shave up, down, and sideways after you pull the skin taut to create the smoothest surface possible.
  • When you shave matters. Many of us make shaving part of our morning routine, but shaving at night is a better choice. It gives that delicate skin time to recover and heal any razor burn. Moisturize afterward, but don’t apply deodorant until morning.
A woman doing yoga, raising her arms.
Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

Try exfoliating

Likely, you know the importance of exfoliating your face every few days to get rid of dead skin and expose the fresh, new skin cells underneath. Well, your armpits need that kind of attention as well. By using an exfoliant once or twice a week, you can get rid of any extra dead skin cells, excess oil, and other dirt that can clog your pores and cause ingrown hairs and other bumps.

Don’t have an exfoliator? You can make your own at home with just coffee and coconut oil. If you aren’t in a DIY mood, check out Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub, which will leave your skin refreshed, smooth, and smelling amazing.

Mistakes to avoid

Don’t over-shave. We know smooth, hairless skin may be the goal, but a little stubble is okay. Your skin needs some time to relax, breathe, and heal in between shaves. If you notice redness or bumps, stay away from the razor for a few days.

Keep an eye on how much deodorant you apply and how well you wash it off. If you’re coating your arms in the product and not thoroughly rinsing it off in the shower, your pores can start to clog up, leading to bumps and even underarm acne.

Waxing, sugaring, and lasering are all super effective methods of hair removal, but they can also be uncomfortable and expensive. Luckily, you can get a smooth, clean shave with a few simple tips, so you can confidently show off your favorite sleeveless tops.

BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

Editors' Recommendations

Beauty products for your personal needs
the best face oil for glowing skin

Sometimes it is hard for people to dedicate time to pamper their bodies. Sometimes showering and taking a bath is not enough to keep your body pampered. It requires time and effort. Such as waxing your legs, clipping your nails, and cleaning your teeth. Do you know that plaque can build up around your teeth? Do you also know that your nails can grow in, which usually happens with your toes? The body does not only need to bathe but to keep the nails and teeth well kept. It is also great for the face to wash it daily and moisturize it daily.

You need certain items to pamper your body, and it keeps well-kept besides bathing it. Sometimes your skin needs to heal or be moisturized. Your nails need to be cut constantly to avoid any possibilities of usually a painful ingrown toenail or ingrown fingernail. It is the same way how to handle your teeth with extra care. There is something called plaque that builds up around your teeth. Plaque can give you the possibility of bleeding gums and tooth decay, which results in a toothache. Dental flaws and a dental tool that removes plaque will help you prevent having gum diseases and tooth decay.

Read more
Tools to take care of your nails
White painted nails with a coffee and leaves in the background.

Your nails tell you how healthy your body is. You want to make sure to clip your fingernails and toenails to prevent issues with ingrown nails or bacteria getting underneath your nails. When it comes to your toenails, it is easy to forget to cut them. It is also easy to get fungi within your nail, which can be just as painful as an ingrown toenail. Some items can help you take care of your nails and accomplish your manicure goals. Some items can help you get rid of the ingrown toenail that can be painful for you to walk on.

You are a busy person, and it is hard to take care of yourself. It is even for you to have time to clip your fingernails and toenails. You want to dedicate a day that focuses on you. You want to dedicate a day to wearing face masks, pedicures, manicures, and bubble baths. You could be someone who suffers from an ingrown toenail. Do you know that there are tools for you to get rid of that ingrown toenail? You can get the items to remove your ingrown toenail and no longer have to deal with the constant pain anymore.

Read more
Beauty items for your eyebrows
black beauty brands

Many people have their idea of beauty when comes to hair. Some people prefer facial hair, bushy eyebrows, and thin eyebrows. You are one of the people who prefer not to have the few thick strands of hair on your chin. You might feel a bit uncomfortable seeing a unibrow slowly forming. You tried everything to get rid of your random thick chin hairs and shape your eyebrows. You tried hair removal cream, you tried wax strips, and you even tried an electric razor. None of these three items worked out for you. That is why tweezers are for you.

The five items listed above are the five types of tweezers. You have sensitive skin that makes it hard to find the perfect thing to reshape your eyebrows or remove hair from your face. The hair remover cream leaves a burn on your face, and it did not remove the hair. You tried wax strips, but it just left your skin with a sting. That is why tweezers are guaranteed to pluck away those stubborn hairs. You can have control how your eyebrow looks and reshape it whatever style seems to fit you. The tweezers are perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Read more