Laser hair removal works differently from shaving or waxing in that it only targets melanin present in both your skin and hair, so before beginning treatment your practitioner will advise shaving the area being treated and applying lightening cream if you have darker skin tones.
Deodorants and antiperspirants may help mask body odor, but they cannot stop sweat and bacteria from mixing together to cause it. That’s where laser hair removal comes in!
Sweat
Sweat itself is odorless; however, when bacteria on the skin break down the sweat produced by apocrine glands it becomes detectable. This typically happens in armpits, groin and feet as these areas tend to be warmer with higher moisture levels. Body odor is normal; however certain medical conditions, being overweight or eating certain foods may make people more prone to it than others. Deodorant use, washing regularly with antibacterial soap and shaving are effective ways to minimize or mask body odor.
Genetics, diet, natal sex and health conditions all play a role in shaping each person’s unique odor, contributing to perspiration odor and leading to differences between people who sweat differently – such as an older man having more musky scent than his younger counterpart. Sweating excessively or having an unusual odor could also be indicative of more serious conditions, like thyroid disorder or diabetes.
Scientists recently made an astounding discovery: body odor. To their dismay, researchers identified C-T lyase, an enzyme produced by Staphylococcus hominis bacteria found in people’s armpits. When exposed to air, this compound emits an unpleasant stench when converted to thioalcohols; when introduced into another strain of bacteria which normally does not produce C-T lyase this enzyme produced stink, verifying its role as responsible.
Make a habit of showering daily with antibacterial soap, shaving regularly and wearing loose, light-colored clothing which allows sweat to evaporate faster. Use deodorants with strong fragrance or an antiperspirant spray that absorbs extra sweat quickly before it has the chance to interact with bacteria on your skin and cause unpleasant odors.
If self-care and medicinal treatments fail to control odor, consider an endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) procedure as a last resort. ETS involves cutting off nerves responsible for controlling sweat in your underarm area, so stubble can be targeted by laser hair removal sessions more easily. In preparation, make sure any areas slated for laser hair removal treatments (laser hair removal or laser hair reduction) have been shaved so stubble can be targeted by laser, and refrain from plucking, waxing or plucking before your session takes place.
Bacteria
Body odor results when sweat mixes with bacteria that is harbored by underarm hairs. Sweat doesn’t normally smell; however, when combined with bacteria present on these underarm hairs it creates an unpleasant odor that deodorants or antiperspirants don’t completely eliminate. By thinning or shaving down underarm hairs you reduce significantly their ability to hold onto volatile organic compounds which produce foul odors; deodorants reduce it but don’t stop altogether whereas by eliminating or thinning out these bacteria will have less opportunity to attach themselves thereby substantially decreasing body odor.
Hair removal laser treatment works by targeting an area around the hair follicle with heat to damage its development, making it harder for it to produce thick and dark locks that trap bacteria that produce unpleasant odors. After several sessions, less hair will grow from each follicle and what remains may be thinner or lighter in color – decreasing odor-causing bacteria levels considerably.
Underarm skin contains both good and bad bacteria which work together in harmony to keep it functioning normally, creating an ideal microbiome balance in your underarms and helping keep them dry by keeping odor-causing bacteria at bay. When underarm hairs are removed, however, this delicate balance is upset and more unpleasant odor may result.
Shaving, waxing and other methods of hair removal may result in ingrown hairs if the follicle becomes blocked by dead skin cells or trauma from clothing or shaving – leading to unwanted hair growing sideways or upward into the skin and creating an unsightly bump resembling a pimple – painfully and susceptible to infection. Laser hair removal has proven highly successful at eliminating or significantly reducing these painful ingrown hairs by permanently damaging follicles so they cannot produce further ingrowths in that direction – thus permanently damaging them so they cannot produce further ingrowns follicles are no longer able to produce new growths.
For more information about how laser hair removal can benefit you, arrange a consultation with an esthetician. Additionally, avoid tanning beds or natural sunlight two weeks before your appointment as this could make your skin sensitive and compromise the effectiveness of your laser treatment.
Skin Irritation
Some medications, cosmetics and even foods may irritate your skin. When this occurs, these irritants can trigger an immune system response resulting in redness, swelling, itching and stinging – commonly referred to as contact dermatitis. A change in body oils and moisture balance often contributes to contact dermatitis as it reduces skin’s protective barrier against external factors that trigger it.
Initially, over-the-counter antiperspirants and deodorants may help, but if these don’t suffice then speaking to a doctor about prescription options might help. Oral or topical antibiotics may reduce bacteria on your skin to help control sweat production and eliminate perspiration; or surgery such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy could even be an option in extreme cases.
Substances that produce irreparable damage to the outer layer of skin are considered severe irritants or corrosives, including soaps, detergents and chemicals as well as metals such as nickel. Some of these substances are regulated by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Environmental Protection Agency or Food and Drug Administration.
Skin Discoloration
People may develop discolored skin patches for different reasons. While many cases are harmless and don’t require treatment unless they become bothersome or painful, others could indicate serious underlying medical conditions that must be addressed to alleviate symptoms. Most skin discolorations is due to variations in melanin pigment production – too much melanin causes darker skin while too little produces lighter. Other reasons could include hormonal shifts, sun exposure or reactions caused by medications or health conditions or side effects from certain skin treatments that leave these discolored patches in their tracks.
Melasma, or pregnancy mask, is a condition in which tan or brown patches appear on the forehead, cheeks, nose bridge and chin. While pregnant women usually develop it first, melasma can also occur for those taking birth control pills or postmenopausal estrogen or who experience prolonged sun exposure.
Hyperpigmentation, which results in dark patches on the skin, can also be classified as skin discoloration. According to Cleveland Clinic research, it occurs when too much melanin (produced by melanocytes – skin cells which produce pigment), is produced. Sun damage, hormone fluctuations, reactionary medications or medical conditions as well as even blood vessels or fungus growths may all increase hyperpigmentation rates in some instances.
Changes to skin color that occur quickly and widespread should always be evaluated by a dermatologist; such changes could indicate medical conditions that need treatment before their symptoms subside.
There are various treatments for both hyperpigmentation and discolored patches of skin. You may find relief through over-the-counter and prescription topical creams, professional procedures such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, home remedies or over-the-counter products claiming to treat skin discoloration; however, before engaging any home remedies or over-the-counter products that claim they treat skin discoloration it’s essential that an accurate diagnosis be conducted to ensure any treatments you undertake will be safe and effective for you.
