Do you have Bro BO?
We have all done it—snuck in that side smell of our armpit when we suspected our deodorant wasn’t working so well. Many patients, including men, might be afraid to ask their dermatologist, but there are ways to combat body odor. Don’t be embarrassed—it’s normal for the body to produce odors that we don’t love and the good news is that you don’t have to live with it. If you are concerned about body odor (BO), a whole body deodorant might be a good solution. We all sweat but sometimes it can go into overdrive. Several things influence when and how much we sweat. Stress and anxiety can trigger sweating as well as genetics, hormonal changes, 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 an odor. The odor can smell bad, good, or have no smell at all.
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. 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:
- 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.
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. - 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 chlorohydrate, and aluminum zirconium. These ingredients block sweat glands so they can’t form any sweat.
Trotter’s Take. Body odor is normal but you don’t have to go down without a fight. WBDs are a good way to target bothersome body odor. They are safe and effective but be aware of possible irritation or allergy from some ingredients.
Check out my podcast with Dr. David Cotter, as we focus on topics like body odor, that men might be uncomfortable discussing with their dermatologist.
