When stepping into a room, unwanted scents from the body can be an embarrassing problem. Body odor is a common phenomenon that can happen to anyone and certainly has a big impact on one’s self-confidence. It can even be uncomfortable and interfere with daily activities! Many people say that body odor comes from sweat, but is sweat really the only cause?
This time Serenitree will provide some information related to the factors that cause and tips for dealing with body odor! Because it turns out that body odor can also have an impact on skin health. Unfortunately, this problem cannot just disappear by using perfume or body mist. Therefore, we must overcome it from the root!
Sweat and Bacteria: The Combination That Creates a Bad Smell
Sweat is the body’s natural mechanism for cooling down. When we exercise or engage in physical activity, sweat glands actively secrete fluid from the skin pores. However, problems arise when this sweat interacts with bacteria on the surface of the skin. There are two types of sweat-producing glands: Eccrine and apocrine glands. The eccrine glands are located near the surface of the skin on almost our entire body while the apocrine glands are more specific to haired areas such as the armpits and groin. Therefore, this body odor problem often occurs in the folds of the body. Especially since these areas are covered!
If not cleaned, these bacteria break down the components of sweat into compounds that produce unpleasant odors. So, it’s important to wash your body regularly with antibacterial soap at least twice a day (morning and evening). You can use Serenitree’s calming/brightening body wash for this process. The body wash contains natural antimicrobial ingredients such as coconut oil and calendula extract, making it safe for all ages, even pregnant women and children!
Foods that Cause Body Odor: What You Eat Affects Body Odor
Not only hygiene, but what we consume can also have an effect on the cause of body odor! Some foods are high in sulfur compounds, such as garlic and onions. When these sulphur compounds are digested and processed in the body, they can be excreted through sweat and cause an unpleasant scent.
In addition, spicy and high-fat foods can also affect body odor. Reducing the consumption of these foods and choosing healthy foods can certainly help reduce the risk of body odor. The key is to reduce! Everything in excess is definitely not good!
Skin Health and its Role in Body Odor
Healthy skin is a contributing factor to body odor! On the other hand, unhealthy skin or problems such as fungal or bacterial infections can also be the cause of body odor, especially if the problem is not addressed immediately.
We already know that bacterial colonies left on the surface of the skin can control one’s body scent, hence diligent body hygiene is key. If there is a problem such as infection or fungus, consult a dermatologist/doctor immediately! Generally, treatment will be available based on the severity of the condition. Once the problem is treated, then we can focus on keeping our skin healthy so that body odor can be controlled!
Hormones and Body Scent Changes
Hormonal changes can also affect body scent! During puberty, hormones in the body change drastically, including the hormones that regulate sweat production. This is why teenagers are often more prone to body odor. Not to mention that teenagers are usually more physically active than adults! Automatically, sweat production is also higher.
Not just during puberty, women can also experience changes in body scent during menstruation and menopause due to hormonal fluctuations. But this is a completely normal phenomenon! Therefore, to overcome body odor, we just need to consume a balanced diet and maintain hygiene!
Personal Hygiene and its Impact on Body Odor
All skin problems or body odor will not be far from hygiene itself. Good personal hygiene habits are essential in avoiding body odor! Rarely showering or cleaning certain areas of the body can cause a buildup of bacteria and sweat, resulting in body odor!
It’s actually really easy to maintain personal hygiene. Simply shower regularly with soap according to skin type and maintain moisture with body lotion afterwards. In addition, you can also maintain cleanliness by wiping sweat, changing wet clothes or using clothes with breathable materials.
That being said, we should not be lazy to take a shower or you’ll regret it later when you have body odor! Prevention is easier than to cure!
Steps to Prevent Bad Smells
In conclusion, body odor is indeed a troublesome problem, but that doesn’t mean it’s unmanageable!
First, as we’ve already discussed, keeping your body clean by showering regularly is of utmost importance. Make sure to use antibacterial soap to kill bacteria that can cause odor. We can also add the use of deodorant or antiperspirant to reduce sweat production. The deodorant we use must be suitable for our skin type and tested first, otherwise it will cause skin inflammation/irritation!
Secondly, we can choose clothes made from breathable materials to avoid the accumulation of sweat that can cause bad odor. Also, avoid wearing tight clothing too often because it can cause sweat accumulation, and the skin is prone to hyperpigmentation (changes in skin color).
When it comes to maintaining body scent, we need to be able to recognize and address the root causes of body odor. Whether it’s a combination of sweat and bacteria, the food we consume, skin problems, hormones, and personal hygiene, everything contributes to maintaining body scent. Don’t let this problem go unaddressed and make you lose confidence!
Serenitree strongly recommends consulting an expert if the body odor problem does not disappear and increasingly interferes with your daily activities! Don’t be shy to find a solution!