{"id":24617,"date":"2024-01-19T10:58:26","date_gmt":"2024-01-19T10:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yogajournal.com\/?p=116424"},"modified":"2024-01-19T10:58:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T10:58:26","slug":"why-does-your-sweat-sometimes-you-know-stink-and-what-to-do-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/19\/why-does-your-sweat-sometimes-you-know-stink-and-what-to-do-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does Your Sweat Sometimes, You Know, Stink? (And What to Do About It.)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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So there I was in the one hot yoga class I\u2019ve ever been talked into taking, unsuccessfully attempting to hold Plank with wet palms and drippy feet while cursing all the life choices that had led me to that moment of feeling like I was in the second circle of hell. That\u2019s when I started to smell the growing musk of a nearby practitioner. Particularly sensitive to smells, especially when hot and exhausted, I set my intention to not gag and maybe even prayed a little for death.<\/p>\n

I thought I was alone in my misery until I caught another classmate complaining to her friend by the lockers after class. \u201cI\u2019m all for body autonomy\u2026except when it comes to not wearing deodorant at hot yoga<\/a>,\u201d she said. \u201cThat should be against the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

I silently concurred while also thinking it was the most @OverheardLA<\/a>-worthy comment I\u2019d been privy to in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

It also made me contemplate sweat itself. Why do some people perspire more than others? Why is some of it stinky and some of it benign? Should we be wearing deodorant while exercising? Was that other student correct in her theory that not applying it is a crime against humanity?<\/p>\n

I moved on, probably to a snack because snacks are > pondering perspiration, until months later when I heard about a new deodorant purpose-made for staving off fitness funk. In an instant, I found myself back in that hot room tainted with the slight stench of au naturel human. Seemed like a sign to throw my (prayer) hands in the air, reopen the cold (sweat) case, and put together a perspiration primer.<\/p>\n

So Why Does Sweat Stink?<\/h2>\n

Sweat itself \u201cis generally odorless,\u201d explains Marisa Garshick<\/a>, MD, a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at New York-Presbyterian\/Weill Cornell Medical Center. It\u2019s only partially responsible for the malodorous musk scientifically known as bromhidrosis. \u201cBody odor results from the combination of sweat and the normal bacteria that live on our skin,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

More specifically, \u201cOdor is caused by the bacteria breaking down the components of sweat and producing that characteristic [BO] smell,\u201d explains Navin Arora, MD, founder of Borealis Dermatology<\/a> on Long Island.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not the only reason sweat can be\u2026stinky.<\/p>\n

\"Man
          Not all sweat has the same propensity to be detected by smell. And yes, office-goers, you should beware. (Photo: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Different Kinds of Sweat Smell Different<\/h2>\n

As it turns out, not all perspiration is created equal\u2014or even secreted by the same glands. There are three basic types of sweat:<\/p>\n

1. Thermoregulatory Sweating<\/strong>
The most common type of perspiration, thermal or thermoregulatory sweating, occurs when the hypothalamus (aka the body\u2019s thermostat) senses an increase in body temperature, such as during exercise or when standing outside in the heat. In response, the brain signals the sweat glands to get to work because sweating is the human body\u2019s most effective cooling mechanism. Known as eccrine sweat, it\u2019s produced by glands of the same name found throughout the body, which open directly onto the skin\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n

2. Psychological Sweating<\/strong>
Emotional or psychological sweating is triggered, as the name implies, by surges of intense feelings such as fear, anxiety, stress, embarrassment, excitement, or pain. Although this response to emotional stimuli begins when we\u2019re wee babes, this kind of sweat typically doesn\u2019t start stinking until the hormonal and physical changes associated with puberty occur. It tends to strike the groin, palms, armpits, soles of the feet, and face. This milkier sweat is produced by apocrine glands, which open into hair follicles which in turn provide sweat\u2019s path to the skin\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n

3. Gustatory Sweating<\/strong>
The third kind of sweat, gustatory, will be familiar to regular viewers of Hot Ones <\/a>on YouTube. It\u2019s usually precipitated by eating or drinking something so spicy or hot that body temperature is elevated. In an attempt to cool itself, the body cues the aforementioned thermoregulatory waterworks.<\/p>\n

That puddle of sweat left on yoga mats comes from a combination of the first two types, explains Arora. Workout-induced wetness is \u201cprimarily a watery, odorless sweat as a response to body temperature, primarily composed of water, salt, and electrolytes,\u201d he says. This is mostly thermoregulatory or eccrine sweat.<\/p>\n

Conversely, psychological or apocrine sweat occurs in areas with a higher concentration of hair follicles, such as the armpits, explains Arora. \u201cSweat produced by apocrine glands tends to be associated with stronger odor,\u201d Arora says. \u201cHowever, any sweat can lead to body odor if it interacts with bacteria on the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are also differences in sweat rates and patterns that align with biology, says Arora. \u201cMen generally have more eccrine glands, which produce a larger volume of sweat.\u201d They also have higher testosterone levels, which lead to increased activity of apocrine glands, explains Arora. \u201cAdditionally, men often have more body hair, providing a larger surface area for bacteria to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

So yes, men may experience more issues with smelliness stemming from hormonal differences between the sexes, although it varies wildly based on the individual, says Garshick. She notes that bacteria breaking down the top layers of the skin can result in \u201can odor associated with the ingestion of onions or garlic.\u201d Could that have been the cause of that unmistakable musk I couldn\u2019t escape at class?<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Man Read the ingredient list on deodorants with caution. (Photo: Getty)<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Do Certain Deodorants Work for Certain Kinds of Stink?<\/h2>\n

Sherry Jhawar, co-founder of nez deodorant,<\/a> thinks so. \u201cI was always fascinated by the fact that all deodorants are \u2018one size fits all.\u2019 Everyone uses different products for different hair types and skin types but one deodorant has to do everything,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

That fascination led her to examine the different types of sweat and co-found a company that customizes deodorant formulas for different situations. She refers to it as \u201coccasion-based deodorant.\u201d According to Jhawar, the ingredients in Workout Sesh (zinc ricinoleate and bamboo powder) \u201caddress and absorb movement-induced eccrine sweat.\u201d The ingredients in Board Meeting (bentonite clay) and Date Ready (charcoal powder) \u201caddress and absorb stress or excitement-induced apocrine sweat,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

But can certain ingredients in deodorant actually deter certain kinds of stink?<\/p>\n

\u201cDeodorants often contain antimicrobial agents that can reduce bacteria on the skin, addressing the smell associated with sweat,\u201d Arora says. \u201cAdditionally, they can provide a psychological boost by making individuals feel more confident and comfortable during physical activities.\u201d<\/p>\n

His two cents about exercise-friendly ingredients is to \u201clook for deodorants with antibacterial agents like triclosan or triclocarban that help control the growth of odor-causing bacteria. A pleasant fragrance can help mask odor [while] an alcohol base can keep the underarms dry.\u201d<\/p>\n

An added bonus of applying microbe-fighting deodorant, Garshick says, is \u201csome of the same treatments we use to reduce bacteria in [regard to] body odor can also help to reduce [acne] breakouts and conditions like folliculitis.\u201d<\/p>\n

As with nail polish or shampoo, it\u2019s wise to familiarize yourself with the ingredient list before you buy or use. Arora warns consumers to avoid parabens (\u201cpreservatives that can disrupt hormone function\u201d), phthalates (\u201cmight interfere with the endocrine system\u201d), propylene glycol (\u201ccan cause skin irritation\u201d), and artificial colors and synthetic fragrances (if you experience sensitivity to either).<\/p>\n

\u201cReactions can vary, so it\u2019s important to find [a brand] that works well with your body chemistry and skin type,\u201d Arora explains. Of course, even natural deodorants can contain ingredients and fragrances that lead to contact dermatitis, especially for those with sensitive skin\u2014further proof that one size doesn\u2019t fit all.<\/p>\n

Wait, What About Anti-Perspirants?<\/h2>\n

Antiperspirants are designed to block the release of sweat. As such, they can also hinder, sometimes to a dangerous degree, the body\u2019s ability to cool itself down.<\/p>\n

Arora supports relying on deodorants over antiperspirants. \u201cWhile [antiperspirants] can be effective in preventing body odor, it\u2019s essential to allow some sweating during exercise to regulate body temperature,\u201d he says. \u201cUsing deodorant, which masks odor but allows sweating, may be a better choice during workouts.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also notes that \u201cfinding a balance between managing bacteria and ensuring proper skin ventilation\u201d is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. \u201cThe aluminum salt in an antiperspirant plugs up the sweat glands,\u201d Garshick says. This can clog pores and lead to acne or other skin irritations.<\/p>\n

And what about aluminum? For years, women, especially those who spent any time watching the news in the 1980s, have worried about suspected links between using antiperspirants or deodorant-antiperspirant combos containing aluminum and breast cancer. Older research suggested that aluminum could penetrate the skin and induce estrogen-like effects, which have been known to stimulate the growth of cancer cells. People also sounded the alarm about aluminum\u2019s suspected link to Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n

More recent research has prompted both the National Cancer Institute<\/a> and the Food and Drug Administration to say there\u2019s no data to support those fears. \u201cNo conclusive evidence has been found surrounding aluminum\u2019s potential association with Alzheimer\u2019s or cancer,\u201d Garshick says.<\/p>\n

For those who are still leery, there are an astounding number of deodorant options on the market that are free of aluminum, including nez, Native,<\/a> and Insta-famous Lume<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Not to Stink When You Sweat<\/h2>\n

If you decide to roll on the deodorant, Arora also cautions you to pay attention to the amount you apply before you head to the gym or yoga studio. \u201cA few swipes or a thin layer applied evenly should suffice. Applying too much can lead to product buildup, which might be uncomfortable and less effective,\u201d says Arora.<\/p>\n

So, yes, sweat happens, but serious stink doesn\u2019t have to. With no downside, according to the derms, grab a stick and swipe those pits before heading to the studio so you can avoid being that person committing an olfactory offense during Savasana.<\/p>\n

Photo Credits:
Row 1, from left: Nathan Dumlao | Unsplash; Jordi Salas | Getty; Avi Richards | Unsplash; Getty; Imgorthand | Getty<\/p>\n

Row 2, from left: Richard Drury | Getty; Maskot | Getty; Constantinis | Getty; Logan Weaver | Unsplash; Freshsplash | Getty<\/p>\n

Row 3, from left: gorodenkoff | Getty; Hiraman | Getty; skynesher | Getty; Thomas Barwick | Getty; Patrik Giardino | Getty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Why<\/figure>\n

It’s complicated.<\/p>\n

The post Why Does Your Sweat Sometimes, You Know, Stink? (And What to Do About It.)<\/a> appeared first on Yoga Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24618,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[37,35,36],"class_list":["post-24617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ayurveda","tag-blogs","tag-yoga","tag-yogacourseware"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24617\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yogacourseware.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}