HOW TO PREVENT BODY ODOR

HOW TO PREVENT BODY ODOR

Everyone loves the smell of a baby. But at puberty, body odor (B.O. for short) starts to become a problem, triggered by increasing level of androgen hormones. Then as we age, our body chemistry ages along with us. If you can recall the smell of your own grandparents, there’s a term for that - “old person smell.”  The good news is that most people find "old person smell" not unpleasant at all.

There are two glands responsible for body odor: the apocrine glands (located in the underarms, genitals, and around the nipples) and the eccrine glands (found mainly in the underarms, hands, and feet). These glands produce sweat that becomes fodder for skin bacteria, causing the malodor. There is a third gland, the sebaceous glands (scalp, face, and chest) that produce oil that has a light odor, with or without bacteria.

To prevent body odor, start with the basics - bathe daily, use underarm protection, and wear clean clothes that breathe. Here are some other ways to help keep you smelling fresh.

1.   Keep your underarms hair-free. Hair absorbs odors easily. Getting rid of the hair in your armpits can help reduce the amount of body odor.

2.    Watch what you eat. What you eat can affect how you smell. If you are having problems with body odor, limit your intake of garlic, onions, curry, and other spicy foods. Red meat, caffeinated drinks, and foods that contain high amounts of sugar can also increase body odor.

3.   Keep your skin dry. Bacteria like an environment with lots of moisture. It is important to dry off your skin whenever it becomes moist, whether the moisture is from taking a shower or sweating.

4.   Stay hydrated. Drinking 2 to 3 liters of water daily helps to wash out the toxins in your body. This promotes good gut health, which in turn can reduce body odor.

New NanoWhite underarm whitening cream contains
antibacterial silver to keep you fresh-smelling all day. 

5.   Change your shoes often. If foot odor is the problem, give your shoes a chance to dry inside by changing them often. Apply foot powder inside the shoes and on your feet to maintain dryness.

If the problem persists, consult a doctor. You may have a medical condition that is causing the smell. Visit any of our dermatologists to discuss your body odor issue and get a diagnosis. You might have hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes people to have excessive sweating, or a metabolic disorder that prevents your body from breaking down an amino compound.

The doctor may prescribe prescription-level antiperspirants. These can cause skin darkening and irritation. Do not use this if you have no medical issue.

Botox injection can also be prescribed to block sweat glands and eliminate excessive sweating. The effects do not last long, anywhere from 3 to 8 months. Most people may find this an expensive option.

______________________________________________________________ This was published in the November 25, 2014 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author , Fred C. Reyes, is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. 

The Natural Deodorant Option

With the growing sense of alarm about the hazards of chemicals used in deodorants and antiperspirants, we embarked on a project to develop a lightening deodorant that will avoid the safety issues and provide maximum consumer benefits using natural alternatives. 

Controversial chemicals that we decided not to use are triclosan, a very popular but controversial antibacterial agent; parabens, which are preservatives, added to most cosmetics; and aluminum salts, the antiperspirant actives which close the pores to prevent sweat from coming out, which is not exactly a good thing. Aluminum chlorohydrate is used in most antiperspirant products.  

Published reports have been circulating on the possible links between these chemicals to impaired thyroid function (triclosan) and altered estrogen levels progressing to breast cancer (aluminum salts and parabens).  Although regulators find that there is not enough body of evidence to ban these ingredients, we decided to follow the dictum, “When in doubt, don’t! “

There is one other serious concern why we cannot use aluminum actives in a whitening product. Aluminum salts cause skin irritation, which can lead to darkening of underarms. In fact, people with sensitive skin are advised to stay away from antiperspirants and use instead deodorants. Antiperspirants with alcohol and strong fragrances, which are likewise strong skin irritants, can be the worst offenders causing dark underarms.

Providing a natural deodorant that will keep people smelling good is our challenge. Human perspiration is actually odorless, until introduced to bacteria that thrive in warm, dark, moist places. The bacteria will break down sweat through fermentation. This chemical reaction causes the malodor. A good antibacterial agent can prevent this from happening.

The natural antibacterial ingredient we settled on is colloidal silver. Silver in its atomic form is an all around destroyer of bacteria, virus and fungi, and is clinically proven effective against body odor-causing bacteria. Zinc ricinoleate is added to neutralize any malodor that may still develop. Whitening activity comes from Licorice root extract, alpha arbutin from bearberry, axolight from wheat, and the patented ethyl ascorbic acid, the most potent of all the vitamin C derivatives.

The final product, we proudly called the DERMAX Deowhite natural deodorant.  Now, if your antiperspirant is causing your underarms to go dark, or if you have doubts about their safety, you now have a safer and better alternative.
______________________________________________________________________________________(Updated on February 15, 2013.) This was published in the May 29, 2012 issue of the Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.