Cultural scholars note the irony, suggesting that China’s modern ‘armpit-hair shame’ is actually an imported Western phenomenon
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenZoey ZhangPublished: 9:00am, 22 Aug 2026Some young women in China are dyeing their armpit hair, transforming a once-stigmatised trait into both a fashion statement and an assertion of bodily autonomy.
The trend is not without precedent. Lady Gaga made headlines with green underarm hair in 2011, while brightly dyed armpit hair and “glitter pits” – underarms embellished with glitter – have since surfaced on social media worldwide.
In recent years, Chinese social media has played a pivotal role in popularising the trend among younger demographics. On RedNote, the nation’s favoured lifestyle platform, users showcase their underarm hair in eye-catching colours.
Some proudly display their newly dyed blue armpit hair, while others share tutorials detailing the bleaching and colouring processes. Additionally, there are cautionary posts highlighting potential risks, from skin irritation to rapid colour fading.
Xiaokui, a pseudonymous young woman, recounted her discomfort with armpit hair from primary school when a friend questioned the hair growing under her arms. This remark left her feeling profoundly embarrassed.
According to the mainland media outlet 36Kr, this incident intensified her negative view of underarm hair as “unattractive, dirty, and smelly.”
