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Underarm Fat Growth

Many determining factors are tied to the excess storage and growth of fat in particular areas of the body. One of the main areas that stubborn fat accumulates is in the underarm region. Although it is difficult to lose, there are several methods for getting rid of underarm fat altogether.

  1. Why Underarm Fat Develops

    • Certified Personal Trainer Derek Charlebois reveals that both men and women have trouble areas where stubborn fat is stored. These areas of fat develop as a result of a low number of receptors that aid in fat breakdown, as in a lack of blood flow.

    Getting Rid of It: Diet and Exercise

    • One of the safest, most fool-proof ways of getting rid of underarm fat is through proper diet and exercise. According to certified personal trainer Derek Charlebois, exercise is the best possible way to combat fat in trouble areas, as it increases the blood flow to those areas. Combining exercise with a healthy diet will inevitably lead to fat loss in the underarm.

    Getting Rid of It: Topical Creams

    • Although the statement "you cannot spot reduce" is a common one within the medical and fitness world, an inconclusive study done in 2005 revealed that an active ingredient in licorice known as glycyrrhetinic acid, when applied topically to fat on the thighs, actually reduced the thickness of the fat in that area. Although further study must be done, topical creams that contain licorice may help decrease the appearance and existence of underarm fat growth.

    Getting Rid of It: Surgery

    • According to Dr. Anita Cela, a clinical assistant professor of Dermatology at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, overall fat loss will help eliminate underarm fat, but it also can make matters worse. Fat loss in areas such as the underarm can result in skin that hangs loosely. This can be remedied through underarm surgery, also known as "an arm lift," in which the skin is tightened and remaining fat is removed.

    The Verdict

    • Because the reliability of topical creams for "spot reducing" underarm fat has not been proven, the most efficient way to stop underarm fat from developing and getting rid of it altogether is by changing your diet and beginning a fitness plan. On a case-by-case basis, having surgery to remove loose skin resulting from fat loss in this area may be a necessary consideration.

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