Sweat by itself doesn’t smell, but bacteria on the skin emit volatile organic compounds that do. Antiperspirants and deodorants help mitigate this odor by keeping sweat and bacteria separate, but laser hair removal takes this effect even further.
Dependent upon your pain threshold and skin sensitivity, each laser zap may feel similar to snapping a rubber band or receiving an injection of needle. The discomfort caused by treatment could last several days post-treatment.
1. You’re not sweating enough.
Laser hair removal has quickly become one of the most sought-after procedures to eliminate underarm hair in just minutes, offering safe, efficient, and lasting solutions that save both money and time in terms of less frequent waxing or shaving sessions.
At each laser treatment session, you’ll experience a series of zaps that vary in intensity depending on your skin type and pain sensitivity. Some patients compare it to having rubber bands snap against their skin while others might feel slight discomfort during this process which should take no more than an hour to complete depending on its size and area being treated. You may even smell smoke or burning hair due to heat of laser’s light beam – completely normal reactions caused by laser’s heat source.
Laser hair removal often causes armpit bumps that last several days post procedure. These bumps are caused by damaged hair follicles which need to be taken care of to avoid infection; to do this effectively apply cold compresses three or four times daily and avoid soaps or harsh deodorants on affected area. For best results use cold compresses instead.
Although many find their odor worse after laser hair removal, it’s important to keep in mind that this odor isn’t due to body odor but instead caused by an imbalance of bacteria. The underarm axilla houses both good and bad bacteria in a delicate balance which prevents excess sweating that produces unpleasant odor. When hairs are removed from this area of your underarms, however, these microbes can colonize and produce an overwhelming stinky aroma if left alone on skin surfaces nearby – or when hairs have been removed by laser hair removal!
Recent research published in the Journal of Lasers in Medical Science revealed that, following four laser hair removal treatments, underarm odor improved significantly by 63% in those receiving laser hair removal treatment – most likely due to reduced frequency of certain bacteria strains that produce sweet-smelling body odor, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and M. luteus.
2. You’re sweating too much.
While sweat itself does not produce an offensive smell, when combined with bacteria on the surface of your skin it can produce a foul odor that quickly increases underarm odor. Excess hair in your armpits may trap these bacteria and increase underarm odor significantly – laser hair removal may help by eliminating those hairs which trigger this phenomenon in the first place.
Laser hair removal is an extremely safe procedure for underarm areas. However, it’s essential that you visit an accredited clinic – cheap offers or offices offering laser treatments without proper training or certification should be avoided at all costs.
Your practitioner should be able to describe how they perform laser treatments and what to expect during and after each session, in addition to answering any queries about aftercare for underarms such as whether or not exercising is advised post-treatment.
Keep in mind that laser hair removal only affects hair follicles – not lymph nodes or sweat glands which control sweat glands in your underarms – which causes sweating. As such, some sweat may still build up even after treatment is complete.
One way you can limit excessive underarm sweating after receiving laser hair removal treatment is through antiperspirant use, either over-the-counter or prescription strength. You should also try to limit activities which increase sweat production like exercising or exposure to hot temperatures that might increase sweat production.
If you still experience excessive sweating after several rounds of laser treatments, it could be due to an underlying medical condition or illness. Dr. Wantuck notes that medications like penicillin can “cause malodorous body chemistry,” while illnesses like typhoid fever, kidney failure, gout or heavy metal poisoning could also contribute to excessive sweating.
Are you ready to finally eliminate underarm odor with laser hair removal? Book a consultation now! Our board-certified physicians and experienced team members specialize in laser treatments for Fort Worth and Burleson areas, so reach out now and schedule either an in-person or virtual consultation!
3. You’re not using the right deodorant.
Laser hair removal works by targeting pigmented cells to damage and destroy their hair follicles, ultimately decreasing future hair growth and body odor. However, its effectiveness will depend on your skin tone and hair color – consult your laser technician prior to scheduling treatments to make sure you’re suitable.
After laser hair removal, you may experience some armpit odor. This is normal and caused by bacteria collecting under your armpits; using natural deodorant or switching to antiperspirant may help minimize it.
At this point, it is also wise to avoid activities that cause friction such as rubbing, scratching, scrubbing, tweezing and waxing as these could potentially aggravate sensitive areas and lead to redness or irritation post laser hair removal. Wear loose-fitting clothing during this time so as to reduce friction.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended to forgo using any products with fragrance such as lotions, perfumes and body washes in the area that was treated. Such products can irritate the skin further and worsen odor. Mild cleansers and soaps are preferred.
Befor your treatment begins, you should apply a topical numbing cream or an ice pack to any area undergoing examination to reduce pain or discomfort during the procedure. Also avoid shaving, plucking, or waxing that area prior to your appointment for optimal results.
After laser hair removal, it’s essential to exfoliate the affected area several times each week in order to speed up shedding of destroyed follicles and minimize staining from dark or bright-colored clothing.
After laser hair removal, it’s wise to avoid body scrubs as these contain abrasive ingredients that may irritate sensitive areas of your skin. Hot showering after laser treatments should also be avoided to protect from burns and blisters that can develop as a result of laser treatments. A cool bath or applying an ice pack are effective remedies to ease discomfort caused by treatments.
4. You’re not washing your underarms enough.
Laser hair removal may leave your skin feeling sensitive for several days after treatment, which is expected. If this irritation continues beyond this initial period, use mild soap or body wash instead of scrubbers when washing it to avoid over-exfoliating the area and to keep exfoliation to a minimum. Alternatively, for particularly irritated areas you could apply cool compresses 3-4 times a day for relief.
Sweat is the primary culprit behind underarm odor, while laser hair removal reduces sweating and prevents bacteria growth that causes pungent smells in armpits. Laser hair removal also helps prevent sweat from mixing with bacteria on armpits to produce unpleasant aromas that create pungent smells – one reason many opt for laser treatment as a solution to armpit odor.
But if your underarms still reek after laser hair removal, it could be because you aren’t washing them regularly enough. Sweat is a natural component of body functioning but needs to be washed off regularly or it can combine with bacteria on the underarms and cause body odor. In addition, tight or long-sleeved clothing may trap sweat inside which leads to itching and can produce offensive smells from its fabric; excessive accumulation may even result in itchy patches which in turn create unpleasant body odor when combined with bacteria present on skin surface area can produce itching as well as body odor if too dry skin surface area is exposed.
Experience some minor discomfort during laser hair removal is to be expected, but the price you pay will pay dividends! Speak with a laser specialist about what they expect of treatment and make sure all pre and post care instructions are being adhered to properly.
Be it male or female, unwanted underarm hair can be an enormously bothersome issue. Shaving, waxing or plucking the hair out regularly or daily is time consuming and inconvenient; many women and men are turning to laser hair removal for an effective permanent solution that targets pigmented hair follicles to destroy them permanently preventing future hair growth.
