Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular solution for those seeking to reduce unwanted body hair. Studies have demonstrated that it may be more effective at permanently eliminating unwanted hair than waxing alone, with less pain involved and longer-term results.
However, laser hair removal doesn’t make your armpits smell. Armpit odor is caused by bacteria breaking down sweat. While removing hair prevents this process from taking place, it does not get rid of bacteria themselves.
Hormonal Changes
Armpit odor is caused by sweat breaking down into foul-smelling compounds that release them when sweat evaporates more rapidly, producing body odor. Though natural, body odor can be intensified by hormonal fluctuations, diet or personal hygiene practices. Hair removal is one way to combat armpit odor as it allows sweat to evaporate more rapidly – however if done improperly it could bring back the scent again!
Many people avoid permanent hair removal out of concern that it will lead to unpleasant side effects like smelly underarms. Studies have proven otherwise: laser hair removal is safe for underarms and may actually help reduce odor. Furthermore, laser treatments are significantly less costly than shaving or waxing methods as well as gentler on your skin than either one of these techniques.
Underarms contain a high concentration of sweat glands and hair follicles, while their apocrine glands produce an odorless milky fluid which reacts with bacteria to cause body odor. Hormonal triggers like testosterone or estrogen activate these apocrine glands, with their production especially strong during menstruation cycles or periods of high stress levels.
Shaving and waxing can be tough on your underarms, making them unsuitable as a long-term solution. Laser hair removal offers an easier, faster solution that’s noninvasive yet comfortable – an ideal choice for people suffering from razor burn or similar issues.
Laser hair removal often requires multiple visits before you achieve the results you are hoping for. The laser only affects active growth phase hair follicles; any remaining resting phase hair won’t be affected by laser treatment and usually takes six-10 treatments before being fully hair free on underarms. Therefore, patience is key and sticking with your treatment schedule in order to see the best possible outcomes.
Bacterial Growth
Armpit hair can become an ideal environment for bacteria that produces body odor. Sweat clinging to it creates a damp environment ideal for bacteria growth; although sweat itself has no smell, apocrine glands in armpits release an odorous substance which reacts with the bacteria and contributes to its presence; having less hair in armpits may reduce both sweat production and bacteria growth, helping reduce body odor.
Laser hair removal works by exposing hair follicles to light energy, damaging and inhibiting future hair growth. While this technique can be applied anywhere on the body, it’s most commonly used on areas such as the face, arms, legs and bikini line. Prior to any laser treatments being administered on any area, the area must first be thoroughly cleansed with soapy water before receiving topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort during treatment. Furthermore, it is advised to refrain from plucking, waxing or using skin bleaching creams several weeks prior to laser hair removal treatment.
Choose a certified laser technician with experience treating armpits and other sensitive areas of the body to ensure safe treatment that does not result in permanent scarring. Expect some initial irritation during your laser treatment session; this should subside within hours. You may also experience skin crusting due to either reaction from laser therapy or natural changes to skin color.
Laser treatments may also be effective at treating an acne-like medical condition known as folliculitis, in which hair follicles become inflamed when they come in contact with certain stimuli such as being rubbed against or shaved. An ingrown hairs can be one of the symptoms of this condition and laser hair removal may help by extracting them before they have time to grow deeper into the skin.
Laser hair removal can be an ideal solution for both men and women who are fed up with having to regularly shave, pluck or wax their unwanted hair. Studies have proven its efficacy for over one year or longer; subsequent sessions may help remove stray or new hairs as they appear. Although laser treatment may make your armpits smell temporarily after each session, its long-term benefits justify its brief temporary side effects – in other words: reduced unwanted hair with related odor.
Personal Hygiene
Body odor occurs when bacteria on your skin break down sweat into unpleasant-smelling compounds, producing unpleasant-smelling compounds. Certain practices can help reduce body odor, such as wearing deodorant, showering regularly, and using antiperspirant. Sweating is a normal bodily function for cooling off but excessive sweating can contribute to body odor – there are various remedies for excessive sweating including over-the-counter treatments, prescription medication and injections available to address excessive sweating.
Chris Callewaert and his team discovered this phenomenon when swapping armpit bacteria between twins. Callewaert discovered that his more smelly twin had more Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria, which produces volatile compounds responsible for sweat’s scent. By transplanting dead skin from his pleasant-smelling brother into his stinkier counterpart, Callewaert managed to reduce body odour considerably in both individuals. He and his colleagues have since repeated the experiment with 17 other pairs of twins and have observed the same result: when one twin’s bacteria were replaced by that of their more pleasant-smelling sibling, their body odor decreased significantly.
Laser hair removal is a popular solution among both women and men looking for ways to eliminate time-consuming shaving, plucking, and waxing routines. Many also find their sensitivity to sweat and body odour decreases after laser treatments as well.
When seeking laser hair removal for your armpits, be sure to follow all instructions given by the treatment provider regarding how best to care for them afterward. Specifically, use gentle cleanser twice daily and avoid loofahs that could irritate delicate armpit skin; additionally if deodorants need to be used post-treatment be sure they contain no fragrance.
Laser hair removal’s benefits far outweigh its possible side effects – including armpit odour. By decreasing armpit odor, laser hair removal can make you feel more confident and secure throughout your daily activities. To learn more about all its many benefits, contact a local clinic for a complimentary consultation today!
Excessive Sweating
Sweating occurs when your nervous system sends signals to the sweat glands to release fluid that evaporates and cools your body, typically during heat or exercise, but can also be caused by medications, anxiety or nerve disorders. Most people sweat normally but some individuals suffer from excessive sweating – called hyperhidrosis – that often appears on palms of hands and feet or underarms and causes irritation as well as creating a foul smell.
Armpit hair can act as an incubator for bacteria that cause bad smells. Sweat itself isn’t offensive smelling; when combined with bacteria on your skin it can give off an offensive scent. Shaving or waxing regularly promotes an ideal environment for this bacteriological growth to flourish.
Permanent underarm hair removal with laser treatments offers another viable solution, as this process destroys hair follicles so they won’t grow back – leaving behind smoother underarm areas with less odor-causing hairs while ending your shaving and waxing habit.
A study published in 2015 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology determined that laser hair removal is one of the best solutions for decreasing axillary odor. Participants of this research had their underarms shaved with an electric razor or waxed to compare results against having laser treatment conducted on them.
Participants in a recent study who underwent laser underarm treatment experienced the greatest decrease in axillary odor. When hair follicles were destroyed by laser treatment, it altered the microbiota of their underarm area which in turn decreased production of odor-causing bacteria – this reduction being even greater than when simply shaving or wiping off with cloth alone. Though laser hair removal can be more expensive than other methods of hair removal, laser treatment remains safe, effective, and permanent solution to keep underarms odor- free – to find out more, speak to a laser specialist in your locality today!
