What’s that smell? Part 1 Body odor at any age

Many of my articles start when a patient catches me off guard with a question.  As a dermatologist, I learn new things every day.  The internet and social media really keep me on my toes because patients are learning new things every day online that may not be a hot topic for dermatologic education.  Here’s the question that started off this series of articles.

“I’m worried about old age smell and wonder if I should be using persimmon soap?”  Mind you this question came from a very well educated and well-groomed woman.  I encouraged her… you smell fine!  But in the back of my head, I wondered, where did she come up with this crazy idea? Turns out she was on to something, and I STILL have A LOT to learn.

So, I spent some time re-educating myself on the mechanism and science of body odor and her question in particular.  While I admittedly started out with Google, I did a deep dive into research on body odor, old age smell and persimmon soap.  Let’s start with some background knowledge.

In the simplest form, body odor comes from compounds released from glands on our skin.  We have two types of glands that factor in.  Eccrine glands are found almost everywhere on our skin. They are involved in producing wetness.  (In school I remember it with the E in both Eccrine and wEt.)  Apocrine glands are primarily found in our folds, and they are the primarily producers of odiferous secretions. In reality though, it is the interaction of these secretions with bacteria on the skin that lead to what we commonly call “body odor”.

When choosing products for reducing sweating and smell there are two major types of products available for purchase which we typically use in our underarms, scientifically our axilla.  

Antiperspirants are primarily working to block the release of wetness from the Eccrine glands.  The active ingredient in most antiperspirants is Aluminum Chloride which works to form a “gel plug”  that blocks the release of from both eccrine and apocrine glands.  There are many opponents to Aluminum containing products and we will address that in another article.

Deodorants do not block wetness but work solely to inactivate the smell.  So, if the problem is wetness, you need an antiperspirant. 

There are a number of ways to combat the true odor, but most standard products work to kill the bacteria that are involved in the process.  Turns out, most of the odor is caused when bacteria on the skin interact with the secretions from the sweat glands.  Without bacteria on the skin, the odor is very minimal.  

This is the most scientific and standard way of thinking about body odor.  So, I encourage my patients to continue washing on a daily basis, especially the folds that contain the odor releasing apocrine gland.  Just washing these areas with soap on a daily basis are a GREAT way to start.  

The most important thing for reducing odor is personal care more than a magical product.

Wash face and neck and folds at least once a day.

Wash body every other day minimum.

Wash hair at least twice a week.

Change clothes and undergarments daily.

Wash outer clothes after more than one wearing. Underwear should not be reworn. 

Wash towels and bedsheets once a week.

We’d love to know what products you have tried and love.  Share with us on social media!