If you’ve never spotted a red bump under your arm, consider yourself lucky. These pesky bumps can be difficult to name and even more challenging to work around with a razor. Luckily, we asked derms for the 101 on armpit pimples so you can be bump-free stat. While zits like these can certainly appear under the arms (and anywhere else you have pores), there’s a plethora of other bumps that are more likely taking up space in your armpit. A few of these include: “The skin in the underarm is thin, and because it is a skin fold, the skin rubs against itself and forms an area of occlusion, which can lead to irritation and friction,” Garshick says. Here, a few safe treatment options: If you’re on the hunt for a grade-A choice, this First Aid Beauty Fab Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel is a winner. While it will work wonders for the underarm area, you can keep it on hand for breakouts that pop up anywhere. It is important to note that laser hair removal is a pricey procedure, and it’s not a realistic option for everyone. But don’t worry, there are plenty more budget-friendly products out there to help prevent and treat these bumps—here are a few to get you started. Especially if you’re prone to breakouts outside of the underarms as well—whether it be on the face, back, neck, chest, etc.—then a prescription-grade product may work better than OTC options. However, if you have recently switched to a natural deodorant, then you will most likely experience an increase in sweat given the lack of aluminum—the ingredient that blocks the sweat from coming out of your pores. This increase in sweat can lead to more armpit pimples, Garshick explains, but only for some individuals. If you want to use a natural deodorant but fear the increased sweat, just know it varies for everyone, and it might not be a problem for you. If it is, you can always do a quick pit-wash midday if you’re worried about sweat buildup.
