Extra fat can appear around the chest and underarms of people of all ages and weights. Wearing tight clothes can push the skin up to the chest and give the appearance of armpit fat.

Armpit fat regardless of its cause is perfectly normal.

Continue reading to find out about the causes and how to reduce underarm fat if you are concerned.

The main causes of armpit fat

Armpit fat can occur in people of any gender. It appears to be more common in women than in men.

Tops or bras that are too tight can cause the skin between the breasts and armpits to spill out.

But aside from clothing choice, armpit fat has many causes. Here are just a few of the most common causes.

The distribution of body fat is heavily influenced by genes and heredity.

A large study has shown that there are many genetic factors that can influence where fat is stored. The study found that genetics are more important in fat distribution and accumulation in people who have vulvas than in those with penises.

You may have more armpit fat if you have relatives with it.

Weight

If you’re overweight, fat may deposit in or under your armpits. The genetics of where excess fat is stored is largely your responsibility.

Subcutaneous fat can build up in the underarms if you are overweight. Your breast and armpit areas can be enlarged by weight gain.

Armpit fat can be reduced by exercising and eating a healthy diet. However, it is difficult to target specific areas or reduce them.

Hormones

The hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can have a profound effect on breast tissue.

Breasts can swell when there is an alteration in the production levels of estrogen or progesterone. Prolactin, another hormone that is produced during pregnancy, can cause breasts to swell as they prepare for the production of milk.

These hormonal changes can cause excess skin and fat to appear in the areas between the breasts and underarms.

What can you do about armpit fat?

These are some of the ways that you can reduce or eliminate armpit fat.

• Lose weight To help reduce your armpit fat and fat stores throughout your body.
• Increase muscle mass in your upper arms and chest wall Resistance or weight training can help reduce armpit fat. To reduce armpit fat, you can build chest muscle mass and tone your upper arms. It helps you lose weight by building muscle.
• Wear well-fitting undergarments An improved bra can reduce armpit fat. Tight undergarments can cause excess skin and fat to push up around your breasts.
• Discuss surgical removal with your doctor Your doctor may recommend liposuction if you have excess axillary tissue in your breasts that is affecting your quality of living. Liposuction, a type of common plastic surgery that removes soft and fatty tissue from specific areas of the body, is a very popular option. If there is a lot of axillary tissue, open excision might be an option.