Fact Check: Does application of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato and lemon juice for 5 mins permanently remove hair from underarms?

A viral Instagram reel claims that application of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and permanently remove hair from underarms. The claim by the user is False. 

Claim

An Instagram reel claims that a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and prevents hair growth. The reek is posted by naturalcures26 and is captioned as "Permanent Fair Underarm In Just 5 min/Remove Tan." In the reel, the user says "Clean your underarms in 5 minutes!" The user in the reel says to take 1 teaspoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of coffee powder, a little Colgate toothpaste, some tomato juice, and a few drops of lemon juice. The user further says to Mix them well and apply the mixture. As per the user, after applying this they will never have hair on their underarms again.

The viral reel, which has garnered 4.7 million views, 349,661 likes, 937 comments, and 335,000 shares, can be viewed here. 

Fact Check

The claim by the user is False. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim 

How Do Coffee, Tomato, and Lemon Benefit Your Health?

Coffee, derived from the genus Coffea within the Rubiaceae family, is widely appreciated for its invigorating effects and distinctive flavor. It is a natural, complex blend of chemical compounds that contribute to its numerous health-promoting properties. Among the notable bioactivities attributed to coffee are its antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-obesity effects. These benefits are primarily linked to its polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acids and their metabolites, as well as other components like caffeine and diterpenoid alcohols, including kahweol and cafestol. Coffee's constituents are found to have support in chemo-protective effects and have been studied for their impact on various body systems, including the skeletal, reproductive, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. They also have an influence on homocysteine and cholesterol levels. 

Tomatoes are a popular food globally, valued for their abundance of essential nutrients and antioxidants. They are a source of various minerals, vitamins, proteins, and essential amino acids like leucine, threonine, and lysine. Additionally, they contain monounsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids, carotenoids like lycopene and β-carotene, and phytosterols including β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. Lycopene, the primary carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato-based products have been associated with lower risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis. The antioxidants in tomatoes play a crucial role in defending the body against oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species, which helps minimize damage to critical biomolecules such as membrane lipids, proteins, and DNA. As a result, consuming tomatoes regularly can boost antioxidant levels in the body and reduce the risk of conditions related to oxidative stress.

Lemon, scientifically referred to as Citrus limon (L.), belongs to the evergreen tree family Rutaceae and is commonly found in South Asia, particularly in Northeast India. A peeled lemon contains approximately 17 calories, while one with a peel has around 22 calories. A single tablespoon of lemon juice provides 3 calories, and as noted by "World’s Healthiest Foods," a quarter cup of lemon juice contributes 31% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, 3% of folate, and 2% of potassium, amounting to 13 calories. Renowned for its wide-ranging applications, lemon holds significant value in the culinary, medicinal, and nutritional domains. Its primary distinction lies in its impressive medicinal and health benefits. Lemon juice is associated with aiding weight management and is utilized for conditions such as hypertension. Additionally, its components, including juice, leaf oil, citric acid, alkaloids, and various nutrients, are employed in addressing issues like osteoporosis, insomnia, asthma, nausea, vomiting, travel sickness, acne scars, throat infections, scurvy, fever, and pH balance regulation.

What causes underarm darkening? 

Underarm darkening is a common condition caused by various factors, including frequent friction, shaving, and the use of certain deodorants or antiperspirants containing irritants. Excessive sweating combined with bacterial buildup can also contribute to discoloration. Medical conditions like acanthosis nigricans, often linked to insulin resistance, obesity, or hormonal imbalances, can cause thickened, darkened skin in the underarms. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, resulting from skin irritation due to shaving, waxing, or other treatments, may also lead to dark spots. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy or from disorders can further exacerbate pigmentation. 

Dr Ruby Sachdev, Consultant Aesthetic Physician, Gleneagles Hospital Bengaluru explained, "Underarm darkening can occur due to several factors, including:

• Friction: Regular shaving or tight clothing causes irritation.
• Hormonal Changes: Conditions like PCOS or insulin resistance can lead to hyperpigmentation.
• Deodorants and Antiperspirants: Certain chemicals can cause skin discoloration.
• Dead Skin Accumulation: Poor exfoliation may lead to dark patches.
• Medical Conditions: Acanthosis nigricans, commonly linked to diabetes, causes thickened, dark skin."

Understanding Body Hair

Aside from a few places, like the palms of our hands or the soles of our feet, the entire surface of our body has hair on it. The two main types of hair are the shorter and thinner "vellus" hairs (peach fuzz) found on the body and the longer and thicker "terminal" hairs. Examples of terminal hairs include the hair on your head, facial hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic hair, chest hair and belly hair

Does a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice clean your underarms in 5 minutes and permanently remove hair ?

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and prevents hair growth. On the contrary, scientific research highlights potential side effects associated with the use of Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice on the skin. 

Colgate toothpaste, which contains ingredients like fluoride, abrasives, flavors, humectants, and detergents, has been linked to various skin issues. A study by A. Skaare et. al. identified Colgate as a significant irritant, causing skin erythema and other skin issues. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence to support claims that it can clean underarms in five minutes or prevent hair growth or remove hair permanently.

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the use of tomato juice to clean your underarms in 5 minutes and prevent hair growth. Conversely, a study published in Antioxidants highlighted that the topical application of tomatoes can lead to adverse skin reactions, such as contact dermatitis and skin irritation, including burning sensations.

Lemon juice does not effectively clean underarms within five minutes or prevent hair growth; in fact, scientific evidence suggests potential side effects from its use. According to a study published in Clinical and Molecular Allergy, lemons are also unsuitable for direct application on the skin as they can cause harm. This underscores the importance of exercising caution and raising awareness about the risks of applying lemon juice to different areas of the body.

How to Effectively Manage Underarm Darkening:

• Use gentle exfoliators like lactic acid-based creams to remove dead skin.
• Opt for fragrance-free deodorants and avoid harsh chemicals.
• Maintain skin hydration with moisturizers containing niacinamide or vitamin E.
• Seek aesthetic treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy for lasting results.

For persistent concerns, consulting a dermatologist or aesthetic physician ensures safe and effective treatment tailored to your needs."

Dr Safia Tanyeem, Dermatology, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Apollo Cradle & Children’ Hospital further said “Laser destroys the hair root responsible for hair growth and this helps patients experience a hair free period lasting from few months to even years, with approximately 8-10 sessions done 1 month apart. However damaged hair roots regrow back under the influence of hormones and few systemic factors, and therefore results aren't permanent and patients will require maintenance shots. Compared to other methods of hair reduction, laser is safe, effective, adds to smoothness of skin and gives long-lasting results. Home remedies don't work for hair removal and instead, cause skin irritation and burns and are therefore better avoided. “

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim made by Instagram user that a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and prevents hair growth is not supported by scientific evidence or medical consensus. On the contrary, studies indicate that ingredients like Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice can cause adverse skin reactions. Underarm darkening is often linked to underlying factors such as friction, acanthosis nigricans, genetics, or hormonal imbalances, which cannot be resolved with natural remedies. Similarly, effective hair removal requires proven methods like shaving, waxing, or laser treatments, as natural remedies cannot prevent hair growth.

Therefore, the claim by the user is False.