Fact: Sweat (perspiration) on its own does not smell.
The smell occurs when the waste from bacteria on our skin breaks down acids and a side product of the waste is the body odor that we commonly associate with perspiring.
Hair does have a negative impact on the smell that occurs when you sweat. Sweat tends to stick to hair and odor-causing bacteria has a nice host to attach to. The less hair you have, the less bacteria you retain as a result.
Body odor can be caused and made worse by a number of other factors which we’ll talk about in more detail below such as your diet, dehydration, healthiness and more.
Does Shaving Armpits Reduce Sweat?
No. Hair doesn’t cause sweating nor does a lack of hair reduce sweat or perspiration. Sweating is a natural bodily function that occurs to keep our body cool and regulate body temperature.
The armpits are a common place where sweating occurs and thus where bacteria can grow especially since we tend to keep our arms down and our armpits don’t have a chance to dry or otherwise air out. Instead our armpits tend to remain moist once they get wet which is why we specifically use deodorant under our arms.
Does Shaving Armpits Increase Sweat?
No. As mentioned above, shaving body hair won’t decrease sweat and it doesn’t increase sweat either.
Does Shaving Armpits Reduce Body Odor?
Yes it can. As mentioned, hair acts as a host for bacteria produced by our body when we sweat. The less body hair you have, the less chance that bacteria can be retained by your body.
Humans tend to experience sweat not only under the arms but on the chest, soles of the feet, palms of the hands, face, head and back. Anytime you reduce body hair, you’re reducing the potential that bacteria can grow and multiply.
How Can I Reduce Armpit Sweat?
Shaving your armpits and eliminating the hair underneath reduces the chance that bacteria can grow and produce the sweat smell that we experience. Using a topical antiperspirant (deodorant) helps to reduce sweating and keeps your armpits smelling nice too. Shower regularly. Dry your armpits before applying deodorant. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Avoid sweat-inducing foods (see below).
NOTE: What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?
Deodorant: A deodorant deodorizes. It protects against odor and keeps you smelling nice.
Antiperspirant: Helps to keep you from sweating, usually with use of a chemical additive like aluminum. Often you will see products that specifically mention it contains 0% aluminum for people who wish to avoid it.
Some topical products are a combination of both a deodorant and antiperspirant.
Strong Body Odor Causes
A strong sweat smell may occur in guys for a number of reasons:
Hygiene
Yes, it’s the most obvious one but it’s not always just as simple as “shower more frequently.” The choice of body wash you use might also factor in especially if you have oily skin and/or sweat frequently and have significant body hair (more on that below).
Solution: An antibacterial body wash may help as can body washes with tea tree oil and other essential oils. Showering twice per day – once in the morning and once later in the day or before you go to bed – may also help.
Dehydration
Temporary (you forgot to drink enough fluids today) or chronic dehydration (you never drink enough fluids) can cause sweat to become more concentrated and thus stronger.
Sometimes people drink the wrong fluids. Caffeine is a diuretic and while there is some disagreement as to how much caffeinated drinks may contribute to dehydration, drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea) can increase your desire to go to the bathroom.
This is a personal, self-inflicted problem for me. I tend to drink a great deal of coffee and tea and often not nearly as much plain clear water. I notice on days when I don’t drink enough fluids especially on hot, humid days that I often get a headache and a stronger sweat smell.
Fun fact…I didn’t drink my first cup of coffee until I was about 30. Now I’m making up for lost time! I also like teas like Earl Grey and it has caffeine too. Other Black teas like English Breakfast and also green tea and herbal teas have caffeine and the longer you leave the bag in, the more caffeine you will consume.
Solution: There are so many rumors and suggestions as to how much fluids to consume on a daily basis. Where you live (climate), your weight, activity level, etc all factor in. One suggestion: Fill a large water bottle in the morning and sip it regularly during the day. When it’s empty, refill and start again. Here’s what the MayoClinic suggests in terms of daily water intake.
How to tell if you’re dehydrated? If your urine is dark yellow or brown, you’re most likely dehydrated. If your urine is clear, you’re properly hydrated.
Diet
Fatty and spicy foods, curry, cumin, garlic, oily foods and other diet choices can impact body odor. Asparagus produces a strong smell in urine shortly after consuming it, too, but it’s temporary and disappears by the next day. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables can impact the smell of your sweat as can alcohol and seafood.
Solution: Limit your intake of processed, spicy and fatty foods and if necessary limit the consumption of specific items mentioned above. Drink enough water to not only keep you hydrated but also to trick your stomach into believing it’s full. Consume dense foods that are relatively low in calories like chicken, turkey and white fish along with oats, greek yogurt, legumes, berries, eggs and other foods. Water-dense fruits like melons are great too. Also monitor your food usage and see if you can figure out on your body which food(s) causes your body to produce smellier sweat. Consult a doctor or dietician if needed.
Stress
Ever had a situation where a thought enters your head, you get stressed and worried and literally feel the sweat starting? Your temperature starts to rise and the sweat kicks in. I’ve experienced it personally, too many times to mention.
Solution: If constant stress is a problem, figure out the source. Chances are its either your job/lack of job, family or personal situations, financial situation or a combination. Get professional help if you can’t figure out on your own how to reduce stress.
Body Hair
While body hair doesn’t cause sweating per se, it can impact the sweat smell you experience. Body hair is a breeding ground for bacteria so the less body hair you have, the less smelly bacteria will be retained on your skin.
Solution: Shaving your armpits reduces the chance that bacteria grows on a very common place for body odor. Shaving or clipping body does the same. Shaving your head also makes it easier to keep your head clean especially if you suffer from oily skin. It’s much easier to wash your face and bald head or rinse off with a cleaning wipe in the middle of the day at work than to find a shower and wash your hair.
More Serious Health Problems
Diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems, thyroid problems. These can all impact the smell that is produced when you perspire.
You may also suffer from hyperhidrosis which results in excessive sweating even without the triggers mentioned above.
Solution: Consult a doctor if you suspect an underlying health issue is the culprit. You might have a bigger issue to look at other than just sweating.
Conclusion
- Sweat on its own does not smell. Waste from bacteria on our skin produces the smell and hair can exacerbate the smell as it acts as a host for bacteria and is retained on the hair.
- The less body hair you have can reduce the chances that bacteria remains on your skin and causes the body odor side effect.
- Shaving your armpits and other body hair won’t impact the amount that you sweat but less body hair can lead to less body odor.
- Numerous factors can impact your sweat and body odor including your diet, health, dehydration, stress and more.
- Check out this link to learn more about how to shave your armpits.
Does shaving armpits reduce sweat in your experience and did it help you reduce sweat spots on your shirts? Let us know in the comments below.