Pits and Beyond: Whole Body Deodorant FTW

Do you need a whole-body deodorant (WBD)? The simple answer is “No.” You don’t need a WBD, but if you are concerned about body odor (BO), it can be a great option to make you smell more like spring flowers and not like you just ran a marathon. Sweating is a normal bodily function and helps maintain our body temperature. There are two main types of sweat glands: eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands are the most common and are distributed all over the body and produce an odorless, clear fluid that helps the body to control its temperature. Apocrine glands are primarily located in specific areas like the armpits and groin and are responsible for BO and pheromone production. Several things influence when and how much we sweat. Stress and anxiety can trigger sweating as well as genetics, hormonal changes like during menopause, medications, and being overweight or obese.  Medical diagnoses like diabetes and thyroid disorders, can also cause sweating. There is also a skin condition called hyperhidrosis, where the sweat glands overproduce sweat constantly.  

Traditionally, most people think of a deodorant for just the armpits, but we all know other body parts can stink. To tackle body folds, like under the breasts, the groin, or other areas like the buttocks and feet. The concept of a whole-body deodorant came about. So why does the body create such unwanted fragrances? You might think sweat is the only enemy, but it has a sidekick.  The other villains in the BO story are bacteria that live on our skin.  We all have bacteria on our skin that are meant to be there.  These bacteria are a part of the skin’s “normal flora,” which also includes yeast and viruses and have some health benefits. When our sweat  and bacteria join forces, they create the funk we call BO. 

Bromhidrosis is the medical term used to refer to a bad body odor or your classic BO. Bromhidrosis can be associated with excessive sweating or linked to poor hygiene, infections, metabolic disorders, medications or even diet. Ever eaten garlic and noticed the odor of your sweat after? It’s the pesky sulfur compounds that allow garlic to create a bad odor for sweat and our breath. To help combat bromhidrosis you can use antibacterial washes and also topical antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin or products like witch hazel. If it’s associated with excessive sweating, then treatment might include antiperspirants, topicals like or oral anticholinergics like oxybutynin or glycopyrrolate, Botox, laser or even surgery. And yes, you could pass on that extra garlic in your pasta. 

So how do WBDs work to help? WBDs contain ingredients like sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, tea tree oil, and mandelic acid. These ingredients have antibacterial properties and reduce the bacteria on the skin, which helps eliminate the unwanted odor.  WBD may also contain fragrance or be unscented depending on your preference. If you use a WBD, the biggest concern I tell my patients is possible irritation to the skin. Even if the WBD contains natural ingredients, you can still develop an allergy or irritation to the ingredients. Those with sensitive skin should be careful since they are more likely to react. 

When you use a WBD, follow these tips:

1. Apply it to a small skin area first and wait a day or two to see if you develop any irritation. We call this a test spot; if you react, you will know it isn’t a good choice.
2. Only apply WBD to areas where you are trying to prevent odor or sweat. They are not meant to be moisturizers or be applied all over the body. 
3. Do not use WBD inside the vaginal area. These products are meant to be used externally only. 

Remember that if you are using a WBD that does not have an antiperspirant, you may not see a reduction in sweat production. An antiperspirant is the better choice if you are trying to minimize sweat. Antiperspirants typically contain aluminum ingredients such as aluminum chloride, aluminum chloralhydrate, and aluminum zirconium. These ingredients block sweat glands, so they can’t form any sweat. And yes, we consider aluminum safe to use. Concerns over a possible link between aluminum use on the skin and breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease have not been confirmed.   

Trotter’s Take. WBDs are a good solution to target bothersome body odor. Overall, they are considered safe and effective, but be aware of possible irritation or allergy from some ingredients.