Summer is good for many things: lounging in patches of sun-dappled shade, frolicking in glistening rivers, slurping on fresh lemonade, and… sweat glands going into hyperdrive.
But not everyone needs to suffer from smelly pits, argues TikTok dermatologist Dr Aamna Adel. She’s offered her followers three dermatology “hygiene hacks” to avoid pungent pits during those sticky summer months. “It is honestly so easy,” she says. However, as we’ll find out, one of them needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Step one: Wash with benzoyl peroxide
Dr Adel actually uses the brand name Panoxyl, but the generic name for the product is benzoyl peroxide. People usually use it to treat mild to moderate acne, according to WebMD. In that case, it works by reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria and by causing skin to dry out, and peel.
Part of this is what Dr Adel is aiming for when prepping pits for stinkless summers. She encourages people to “lather on” Panoxyl – using a separate white towel, since it bleaches fabrics – and “wash your pits with it”. Leave it on for two minutes, she says. Obviously, be very careful when using something on your skin that bleaches fabrics, even if an Internet dermatologist is encouraging you to do it.
This, she claims, will kill the bacteria that make sweat smell, and have the added side effect of reducing the number of ingrown hairs.
It’s worth stating that the Panoxyl website discourages using the product on your armpits unless they actually have acne. Again: Panoxyl is an acne treatment cream. Moreover, while Panoxyl’s webpage answering the question ‘Can I use benzoyl peroxide on my armpits?’ does mention ingrown hairs, nowhere does it connect the use of Panoxyl to their prevention.
Always consult your doctor before trying any new product on the skin.
Step two: Don’t use deodorant
“Deodorants do absolutely nothing to stop you from sweating,” Dr Adel says. “They are literally just fragrance which overs up the smell of your sweat.”
This is true. Deodorants and antiperspirants reduce body odor in different ways. Antiperspirants work by reducing the amount you sweat, whereas deodorants work by increasing the skin’s acidity and eliminating odor. The clue’s in the name.
But Dr Adel has an added tip here, which may sound strange to some listeners or readers. When you’re asleep, she says, “your little sweat glands are also sleeping”, which makes before bed the best time to apply antiperspirant.
She claims that sweat glands absorb antiperspirant more effectively during sleep. For what it’s worth, Sweat Help’s tips for treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) include applying antiperspirant “once in the morning and again prior to bedtime”. That’s twice daily “and especially before bedtime”. So, no disagreements with Dr Adel on that one – at least, for those who sweat excessively.
Step three: Trim or shave
Dr Adel’s third and final hack for reducing pit potency is to shave, or at least trim, your armpit hair. No matter your gender, she says, “the more hair that you have under your arms, the more sweat and bacteria is going to get trapped there”.
Your armpits produce sweat for several reasons. Among them are stress, anxiety, and nervousness. And, of course, to cool you down when your body temperature is high.
The amount you sweat depends on eccrine and apocrine sweat glands, according to the Tampa Hyperhidrosis Center. While shaving your armpits will not cause them to sweat any less, hair does hold moisture, which increases the likelihood (and size) of sweat stains on your clothing.
Trimmed, or shaved, armpits also absorb antiperspirant better. So in this case, again, Dr Adel seems to be on the money.
The dermatologist boasts more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok. Dr Adel is a member of the British Cosmetic Dermatology Group and uses the video-sharing platform to discuss all things, skin, hair, and nails.
