I’ll always remember the primary time I saw a lady in my PE class at my first highschool reach right into a gym locker, pull out a bottle of Secret deodorant, and run it over the soles of her feet after which under her breasts. I immediately thought, “What the hell is she doing and why?” She saw the completely confused look on my face and replied, “I’m sweating everywhere and that’s helping me, OK?” I feel my classmate became fascinated about the concept of full-body deodorant an extended time ago.
Although most of us are taught to wear deodorant under our arms, the armpit isn’t the one a part of the body that smells and sweats. Other areas are equally susceptible to sweat accumulation, including the feet, groin, chin, abdominal folds, thighs, pubic area, chest, buttocks, and other areas. According to a board-certified dermatologist in New York Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, full body deodorants are the reply to sweating from head to toe. When bacteria in your skin mixes with sweat, you may develop an unpleasant odor, also often called body odor (BO), which might affect your self-confidence. This is where a brand new breed of products designed to be utilized in every nook and cranny comes into play.
For years, there weren’t any great options for individuals with body odor problems aside from those attributable to underarm sweating. Perfumes temporarily cover it, body wash provides short-term relief if any, and medications are reserved for more extreme cases. The problem with body odor also has an emotional basis and a few experts, including: Dr. Karan Lal, DO, a board-certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist, says there may be a link between body odor and poor quality of life. “For some people, it may make it difficult to perform daily activities,” he says. “For example, many of my patients suffer from hidradenitis (a skin disease that causes abscesses and scarring).) do not go out at night or go to the gym due to the unpleasant odor caused by the disease.” Whatever the explanation for unwanted body odor, there is no such thing as a need to swipe your regular underarm deodorant from head to toe to control odor, thanks to the brand new category of full body deodorants. Here are three dermatologists who discuss every thing you would like to learn about these products. Additionally, TZR presents our top picks for odor neutralizing products.
What is a full body deodorant?
The current full body deodorant is precisely what it feels like: a product that may be used on many parts of the body, not only the underarms, similar to the feet, groin, neck, and even the face, to help minimize body odor. “Full-body deodorants work by reducing the growth of bacteria on the skin’s surface that contribute to odor, absorb excess moisture, or mask odor with other scents,” says a board-certified dermatologist in New York Dr. Brendan Camp, MD. “Body odor occurs when bacteria on the skin’s surface metabolize sweat and create pungent aromatic compounds. However, these products are a novel approach to skin care by calling attention to sources of odor that might otherwise be neglected. They contain ingredients that limit the proliferation of these bacteria,” he explains.
Full body deodorants come in various forms such as creams, lotions, powders, sticks and sprays, making them more compatible with many parts of the body. Most formulas contain odor-absorbing ingredients such as mandelic acid, which, Henry explains, acidifies the environment and reduces the growth of odor-causing bacteria. “It’s not our sweat that stinks, but rather the byproducts of sweat feeding on bacteria that cause body odor. Therefore, it is important to limit the multiplication of these bacteria,” he explains. Other ingredients in full body deodorants that can help absorb excess moisture include tapioca starch and sodium bicarbonate.
The only caveat with these products is that they are not a replacement solution for more serious and extreme sweat-related conditions, such as excessive sweating, driven by oversensitive nerves. Everyone has a different sweat rate, so Henry says that for someone with hyperhidrosis, who produces much more sweat than the average person, a full-body deodorant may not be the right solution. Instead, a dermatologist may prescribe medications or drying creams to control it.
However, they may be a good solution for anyone who wants to mask unpleasant body odor. Lal also recommends them to smokers who want to deal with the persistent smell of smoke, people suffering from inflammation of the sweat glands, and people who exercise frequently and want to prevent the unpleasant smell from interfering with their daily activities.
Is full body deodorant safe to use everywhere?
All dermatologists agree that areas that are completely inaccessible are any openings or openings in the mucous membrane, including the inside of the nose, the buttock, the vaginal opening, and the vagina itself. Using full-body deodorants in these areas can destroy the existing microbiome and worsen odor. Many formulas also contain essential oils and natural fragrances, which can irritate more sensitive parts of the body, so be careful when applying the product.
If you’re new to using a full-body deodorant, always test a new product on a small area first, such as the inside of your arm. This way, if an allergic or adverse reaction, rash or skin sensitivity occurs, it will be limited to a small area of the skin.
Full body deodorants vs. Traditional deodorant
The most important difference between traditional underarm deodorant and full-body deodorant is that these almost everywhere formulas do not contain antiperspirant, which is technically classified as a drug and must be approved by the FDA. “Antiperspirants are designed to produce sweat, but not odor,” Lal says. “They contain aluminum salts that reduce sweating over time. Aluminum salts are known to clog underarm pores that produce sweat, thereby inhibiting sweat production.” Because full-body deodorants are not antiperspirants, they can not provide the identical sweat-reducing properties as those worn under the arms.
You’re likely to find ingredients and fragrances in traditional underarm deodorants that Henry says could potentially be more irritating to delicate areas. “These deodorants are generally not safe to use in the groin and genital areas, whereas full-body deodorants use ingredients that are safe for the entire body and are less likely to cause irritation and inflammation in more sensitive areas,” she notes. While traditional deodorants contain fragrances that help mask odor, body formulas often contain essential oils and mandelic acid, which have antibacterial properties and kill the bacteria on the skin that cause odor. However, even when you use full body deodorant on the sweatiest parts of your body, there may be a risk of it still getting wet because these products focus more on scent than sweat.
How to find one of the best full body deodorant
Henry recommends in search of easy-to-use full-body deodorants that are aluminum-free and spread easily on the skin. Look for ones that contain acidifying ingredients, similar to mandelic acid, which helps neutralize odor, and tapioca starch or sodium bicarbonate, which absorbs sweat. Essential oils similar to tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus are also helpful in combating body odor, but caution ought to be exercised as high concentrations of some essential oils can lead to skin irritation. Camp also recommends preparations containing moisturizing ingredients and even antioxidants that affect the general health of the skin. “For people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, avoid products containing dyes and fragrances,” she adds.
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