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Summary

• Armpit fat is a term which describes any type of accumulation of tissue between the armpit and the breast
• As well as excess fat, underarm folds can be caused by loose skin or axillary breast tissue
• Causes of armpit fat include genetics, ageing, weight loss and hormonal fluctuations
• Armpit fat can be effectively reduced with exercise or Morpheus8, but surgical Liposuction, Arm Lift or Axillary Breast Tissue Removal deliver the best results
• Cadogan Clinic’s team of Consultant Plastic Surgeons provide the highest standards of patient care and results in armpit fat removal

What is Armpit Fat?

Armpit fat, also known as axillary fat, is the visible accumulation of tissue around the outer edge of the upper arm, where the arm meets the chest. Although it is often attributed to excess underlying fat, armpit folds can have many physiological causes, including loose skin or axillary breast tissue.

Cadogan Clinic’s team of Consultant Plastic Surgeons is the best in the UK, and are experts in arm contouring procedures. They deliver the highest standards of patient care and prioritise patient safety and results at every stage. 100% of Cadogan Clinic’s surgical patients would recommend the clinic to their family and friends.

Sagging armpits are typically a localised concern and may be seen as insignificant by many. However, for some individuals, it can cause functional difficulties, such as chronic skin irritation and mobility challenges, as well as impacting confidence and causing self-consciousness. All these concerns may limit activities in which individuals feel comfortable participating, especially exercise and physical pastimes. Arm contouring surgery is becoming increasingly popular, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a 21% increase in the number of surgical arm contouring procedures performed between 2024 and 2025.

Armpit fat is not necessarily connected to an individual’s overall weight, and even those with a slender frame can develop this pouch of excess tissue. It can develop on one side (known as unilateral axillary fat) or both sides (bilateral axillary fat).

Loose Armpit Skin vs Axillary Breast Tissue vs Armpit Fat

If you are concerned about the appearance of axillary fat or folds under the armpit, it is important to understand the potential physiological causes in order to make an informed decision on the best treatment options. In most cases, there are three anatomical reasons for underarm folds developing:

• Loose Armpit Skin: Excess skin with no underlying fat can create folds underneath the armpit which feel thin and mobile to the touch
• Axillary Breast Tissue: Breast tissue which develops in the armpit area is entirely normal and, in most cases, not a cause for concern, but it can cause an uncomfortable bulge towards the front of the armpit
• Armpit Fat: Excess subcutaneous fat can build up in the area where the upper arm meets the chest, creating a bulging appearance

While for some people the accumulation of tissue around the armpit is explained by a single anatomical factor, for others it is a combination of two or more of the above.

Armpit fat is the normal accumulation of tissue and skin folds between the breast and armpit. Despite typically being associated purely with underlying fat, loose skin and axillary breast tissue can also contribute to this condition.

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What Are the Symptoms of Armpit Fat?

Fat and loose skin in the armpits can present a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, which can have a significant impact on physical and emotional health and well-being.

Physical Armpit Fat Symptoms

• Excess tissue: A bulge of excess fat and skin which appears in the area under the arm next to the chest and is typically more visible when the arm is placed down by the side of the body
• Skin irritation: For some patients, the presence of excess tissue and loose skin may cause skin irritation or persistent skin infections
• Physical discomfort: Excess tissue rubbing against clothing and causing unpredictable movement can be uncomfortable and lead to people avoiding certain activities
• Mobility limitations: Armpit fat can limit field of movement, making physical activities difficult, and cause hygiene challenges

Psychological Armpit Fat Symptoms

• Loss of confidence: Although armpit fat is a localised concern, it can cause a loss of confidence
• Anxiety and self-consciousness: Visible armpit fat may cause individuals to feel hyper-aware of their appearance during certain activities or in certain clothes, which in severe cases may cause body dysmorphia
• Clothing choices: Some people may avoid certain clothing to disguise the appearance of their upper arms and chest

The symptoms of armpit fat and underarm folds can have a wide-ranging effect on both physical appearance and emotional well-being.

What Causes Armpit Fat?

There are several causes of fat between the breast and armpit, and understanding the underlying cause is important in developing an effective and personalised treatment plan.

The best way to determine the cause of armpit fat is a comprehensive assessment by a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, especially in cases where a patient isn’t sure of what has caused the condition.

Common armpit fat causes include:

Genetics

Fat and tissue distribution are individual traits that can be heavily influenced by genetics.

Individuals with direct relatives who are affected by visible axillary fat are more likely to develop the same trait. It is important to remember that genetics do not guarantee that an individual will develop armpit fat, and it can arise in isolation with no obvious genetic explanation.

Ageing and Weight Loss

The effects of ageing and dramatic weight loss on the skin and underlying fat between the armpit and breast are often very similar, although they are not necessarily directly related to each other.

Both ageing and weight loss can result in the breakdown of collagen and elastin, two proteins which are essential for maintaining the skin’s structure and strength, leading to reduced skin elasticity and sagging skin. The loss of underlying fat, which is also associated with ageing and weight loss, causes a further loss of support, exacerbating the appearance of sagging armpits.

Many individuals who have not experienced underarm folds may develop them with age, or following significant weight loss.

Hormonal Fluctuations

In cases where excess armpit tissue is caused by axillary breast tissue, hormonal fluctuations can significantly affect its appearance and physical impact.

Axillary breast tissue responds to hormonal changes in the same way as typical breast tissue, meaning it can expand and reduce in size at different stages of the menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy and menopause, exacerbating its appearance. Additionally, changes in its size may cause individuals to become more aware of it, feeling anxiety about how it may develop at different times.

Clothing and Underwear

For some individuals, the appearance of armpit fat is purely caused by the fit of certain clothing and bras, displacing tissue into an unwanted position.

Although this may seem insignificant, it can limit the types of clothing an individual is able to wear, especially clothes which are specifically designed for exercising and physical activity.

There are many causes of armpit fat and excess armpit tissue, including genetics, ageing, weight loss and atypical clothing fit, which it is important to understand to create the most effective treatment plan.

How to Get Rid of Armpit Fat?

There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments available to effectively address the appearance and functional concerns caused by armpit fat.

Cadogan Clinic is an award-winning surgical centre of excellence, delivering the highest standards of patient care and results in all areas of surgery, including upper arm contouring.

Armpit Fat Removal Without Surgery

Non-surgical Armpit Fat Removal treatments can provide an effective solution for smoothing and contouring the upper arm and chest, without the downtime and commitment of a surgical procedure. However, it is important to remember that the results of these options may be temporary, or consistent treatment may be required to yield a long-term outcome.

Exercise

Exercise can be an effective way to reduce the appearance of excess fat between the breast and armpit, especially in less severe cases where there is no additional loose skin. By strengthening the underlying muscle and reducing the fat, the underarm area becomes smoother and more toned.

Exercises to reduce fat under the armpits include:

• Push-ups
• Chest squeezes
• Inverted rows
• Triceps kickbacks
• Planks

To maintain the results, exercise should be regular and ongoing. Individuals with larger amounts of excess fat in the underarm area may find that they are left with loose skin following their weight loss, which requires further treatment.

Morpheus8

Also known as Radiofrequency Microneedling, Morpheus8 is an effective non-surgical treatment to tighten the skin and address the common signs of sagging armpits.

Although Morpheus8 doesn’t remove fat from the treated area, by combining Microneedling with radiofrequency energy, natural collagen and elastin production is stimulated to tighten and smooth tissue.

Morpheus8 treatment for armpit folds is most suited to minor to moderate cases where there isn’t a large amount of underlying fat. Patients whose concerns arise from ageing often find Morpheus8 beneficial.

To achieve optimal results, most patients initially require up to 6 sessions of Morpheus8 spaced 4-6 weeks apart, with a session once a year subsequently to maintain the outcomes.

Armpit Fat Removal Surgery

Armpit Fat Removal Surgery is the most effective option for addressing excess tissue lying between the armpit and breasts.

Surgery provides long-term results, which don’t require regular maintenance or ongoing treatment, increasing confidence and comfort.

There are a range of surgical procedures to address armpit fat, depending on the cause and the patient's desired outcomes.

Armpit Fat Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical fat removal procedure which involves extracting excess stubborn fat, resulting in a contoured and balanced result.

A small incision is made in the treatment area before a specialist cannula is inserted to extract the fat. There are several Liposuction techniques, depending on a patient's individual requirements. Liposuction options, such as Vaser Liposuction and Laser Liposuction, utilise different types of energy to break up the fat and encourage collagen production to tighten the overlying skin, preventing loose skin from forming where the underlying supportive fat has been removed.

Cadogan Clinic’s founder, Mr Bryan Mayou, first introduced Liposuction to the UK over forty years ago. The clinic has continued to pioneer Liposuction and Fat Transfer techniques, offering the latest in surgical fat removal technology to patients to achieve the highest quality results.

Arm Lift

Arm Lift, also known as Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure which involves removing loose skin from the upper arms to create a smooth and slender arm shape and contour.

During an Arm Lift, an incision is made along the length of the upper arm, on the inner side, before the excess skin is excised. The incision is then carefully closed to create the rejuvenated arm shape.

In cases where a patient has excess fat as well as loose skin, Liposuction can also be performed during an Arm Lift to enhance the final result.

Axillary Breast Tissue Removal

For patients whose excess underarm tissue is caused by axillary breast tissue, a surgical Axillary Breast Tissue Removal can be carried out.

Axillary Breast Tissue Removal typically combines Liposuction and surgical excision to achieve the optimal result. A small incision is concealed within the folds of the armpit to reduce the visible scarring, and the procedure typically takes 1-2 hours under general anaesthetic.

Axillary Breast Tissue Removal is performed by a specialist Consultant Breast Surgeon with experience in managing axillary breast tissue to ensure the tissue is removed correctly, and that the surrounding anatomy is protected.

Liposuction, Arm Lift and Axillary Breast Tissue Removal provide the most effective long-term solutions to treat armpit fat, while exercise and Morpheus8 can treat minor cases of armpit fat, but may require ongoing maintenance for consistent results.

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Frequently Asked Questions