Beauty Tips©

DEODORANTS AND ANTIPERSPIRANTS

There are several ways to control body odor. You can wash organic material away before the bacteria can decompose it. You can try to mask the odor with another odor (perfumes are used for this). You can inhibit the growth of the bacteria by removing the moisture necessary for their growth (except that no products completely stop eccrine sweating). Or you can kill the bacteria or inhibit their growth with antibacterial agents. Such agents stick to the skin even after washing, so that deodorants effectiveness builds up over a period of days (or tapers off if use is discontinued).

The best way to control body odor is with a combination of methods. Regular use of a scented deodorant or antibacterial soap will keep you free from natural body odor for up to 24 hours. However, deodorants only kill or inhibit the bacteria, so a deodorant is not a substitute for washing. One warning-users of deodorant soaps may be vulnerable to the effects of the sun and blister more easily.

An antiperspirant reduces the flow of perspiration from the eccrine gland through the use of metal salts such as aluminum. It also reduces body odor through the use of antibacterial ingredients. To be effective, an antiperspirant ingredient must penetrate the sweat duct. For the greatest antiperspirant action, apply the product when you are not ready sweating. Instead of applying it immediately after a bath, when the body is warm, apply it when you are at rest and cool. Then lie down for a few minutes- you sweat least then and consequently the antiperspirant penetrate better.

Deodorants and antiperspirants are available in many forms- liquid, pads, creams, roll-ons, sticks, powders, and aerosols. Read the label to be sure the product is actually an antiperspirant.

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