Now I understand why they're called pits

November 23, 2023 6:14 AM

CW: mention of intentional weight loss. I prefer to remove the hair from under my arms. I lost a significant amount of weight, and I can't figure out how to get a clean shave under my arms now.

I'm guessing this is due to having actual armpits for the first time plus loose skin from weight loss, but I can't get a clean shave anymore - in the deepest part of my armpit, it looks and feels like I haven't shaved them at all, even immediately after shaving. I use a leaf razor. I'm open to methods other than shaving, but would need something that's easy to do. I do have another person available to assist me if needed. Anyone have any tips? Does those at home laser hair removal devices like nood work?

posted by anonymous to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total)

I had a lot of weight loss and just don't fuck with razors. What I use are specifically the Veet hair removal wax strips, they are a brand that tends to be more forgiving of loose skin - I think because the wax is a little thicker - and the oil they provide for aftercare is very good and helpful. If you pull up a little, that gets it good enough for government work.
posted by corb at 7:00 AM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

I’ve been doing laser hair removal simply because I’m lazy and don’t want to need to travel with a razor. If there is high contrast between your skin and hair, you’re a particularly good candidate. Most people need 6-9 treatments spaced 6 weeks apart; if you’re just treating your armpits each session will be only 5-10 min.
posted by A Blue Moon at 7:20 AM on November 23, 2023

I put my hand up high on the wall and kind of stretch to smooth the skin out, and then shave over each area in a few different directions. Up/Down/Side/Side/Diagonally.
posted by Ftsqg at 7:59 AM on November 23, 2023 [6 favorites]

You can get narrow razors like this, and they seem to fit the concave so much easier. These weren't the ones I had, but similar. Be gentle and use more soap/foam than before.
posted by mochapickle at 8:20 AM on November 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

I stretch my arm up and back, and hold the front of my armpit open using my chin.
Now that I think of it, I guess this is gross. Oh god
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:58 AM on November 23, 2023 [10 favorites]

I am significantly underweight, and I generally avoid the issue by not wearing sleeveless clothing.

If I do shave, I use one of those narrow razors intended for the bikini line.
posted by champers at 11:23 AM on November 23, 2023

Just so you know, this would likely happen with age regardless of your weight, weight loss, weight gain, whatever. They say your neck is the first to go but actually it's your armpits. :) I've been the same good weight my entire life and am finding this task increasingly difficult. Try doing it as a two-handed job, pulling the skin taut one area at a time so you can shave it. That's working for me right now but I foresee a day for me when laser removal will be the only good option.
posted by HotToddy at 11:58 AM on November 23, 2023 [4 favorites]

I have this problem. Honestly I rarely shave them these days. If I want to be hairfree, I wax them myself with that Nair microwave stripless wax. If I need to shave it's the old stretchy move described by other commenters.
posted by dazedandconfused at 12:45 PM on November 23, 2023

Nthing laser removal if the contrast between your skin and armpit hair is significant. I've only had 1 session with a professional laser so far, but 80% of my hair is gone. Even home laser devices can help you thin the hair out and/or go longer between needing to remove hair.
posted by gakiko at 1:35 AM on November 24, 2023

This is my method: Lift your arm up to expose the pit. Bend elbow. Place thumb on shoulder and fingers on edge of armpit. This is still all the same side of the body, okay? Now squeeze your thumb and fingers together to pull the armpit tissue taut. With the razor in your other hand, shave the newly flattened surface.
posted by Knowyournuts at 10:56 PM on November 24, 2023

i got laser hair removal a couple years ago and it was so worth it.

before that what i would do is (for right arm): hold razor in right hand, raise right arm, use left hand to pull skin taught in the various directions needed, use right hand to shave.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:17 PM on November 27, 2023