Nature's cooling mechanism
Sweat is nature's way of cooling us down. Body temperature is controlled by the central nervous system but a number of factors, including stress, hormones, infections, spices, caffeine and drugs, can all affect the way we sweat.
You can lose up to four litres of sweat in an hour, although the average amount is between one and two litres a day. No wonder we’re always being told to drink more water.
Why do we get smelly armpits?
Most sweat comes from millions of eccrine glands all over the body, which start secreting a non-smelling salt solution from birth.
But smelly sweat is a different matter entirely. It's chiefly triggered by emotions and comes from the apocrine glands, which secrete a combination of protein, fat and amino acids – an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish.
Women glow, men perspire
It's not the secretion from these apocrine glands that's smelly, the waste products from the bacteria thriving in the sweat is to blame. And while the bacterium micrococcaceae, which prefers women's armpits, smells weakly salty, the microscopic lipophile diphteriode organisms which like to set up home in men’s underarms, emit a far stronger pong.
How deodorants work
Deodorants absorb sweat, hide the smell and work to reduce the number of bacteria present in the armpit. Anti-perspirants deprive bacteria of food and release salts into the sweat which react with the proteins within it to reduce the flow – without hampering the body’s cooling system.
All that means you can smell food without getting hot under the collar – or anywhere else.
Roll-on, stick or aerosol?
Deodorants, especially anti-perspirants, should always be applied to clean, dry armpits.
It can burn if you apply your deodorant to freshly-shaved armpits but alcohol-free products, designed for sensitive types, can help, and many offer additional ingredients to calm freshly-razored skin.
The most effective deodorants are anti-perspirants in cream, stick or aerosol form. Whether you're after intense protection, something to help you smell irresistible, or both, there's one to suit you.
