Lifestyle Choices

There is a common misconception that body odor comes from perspiration. It doesn’t. Perspiration or sweat consists of nothing more than almost odorless water plus a few mineral salts that are responsible for that slightly salty smell many find has an almost aphrodisiac appeal to it. The unpleasant smell often thought to be the result of perspiration or sweat is in fact caused by waste products from the bacteria on the skin. The smell only occurs when more water is given off from perspiration than can be easily evaporated into the air and/or when clothing—particularly clothing made from synthetic materials, which hinder evaporation—interferes with this drying out process.

The body’s perspiration comes from two different kinds of glands. The more common eccrine glands (each adult has two to three million of them) are distributed evenly all over the body and give out perspiration that consists of clear water and mineral salts in response to changes in outside temperature or physical exertion. The other glands, called the apocrine glands, are located only in certain areas of the body such as the genitals, underarms, nipples, and buttocks. In addition to water and mineral salts, their secretions contain some protein and certain fatty substances that tend to attract bacteria. This is why the greatest odor problems tend to come from those parts of the body. The apocrine glands respond not to changes in temperature but to changes in emotions. Nervousness, anger, sexual arousal, all turn on their activity.

All-over perspiration can be controlled by daily bathing. You can get extra protection against excess moisture and body odor by using an antiperspirant or deodorant. Deodorants and deodorant soaps work by restricting the action of bacteria on the skin. These products contain antiseptics, which on some people with sensitive skin can cause unpleasant reactions such as blistering or swelling, particularly when skin is exposed to sunlight. Antiperspirants control odor by reducing the volume of perspiration that comes through the skin as well as by combating bacteria. As well as a germicide, a fragrance, and a carrier (lotion or cream to make them easy to apply), these products contain aluminum or zinc salts that penetrate sweat ducts and prevent the delivery of sweat to the surface of the skin, either by blocking the openings or swelling the area around to shrink the size of the ducts. Antiperspirants can cause allergic reactions, although these are relatively rare. The best policy with these products is to use as little as you can get away with and still feel confident. As long as you are healthy, bathe regularly, and wear mostly cotton, silk, or wool clothes instead of mostly man-made fibers, you will probably not need either. If you still tend to perspire excessively, apply a deodorant or antiperspirant once or twice a day when the body is at rest —onto cool, dry skin. (Just after a bath is not the best time, as skin is too damp and perspiration ducts are not fully open.)

If you shun chemicals and prefer do-it-yourself products, chlorophyll is the natural deodorant to try. You can use green leaves, fresh green vegetables (such as spinach or beet tops), and fresh herbs such as mint as natural alternatives to the chemical products. Rub them briskly under the arms a couple of times a day or make the following lavender water and use it instead:

Take six drops of lavender and shake together with a pint of distilled water. Store in a dark bottle or keep in the refrigerator. Apply with a ball of cotton twice a day to parts of the body that perspire easily.

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