I’ve found throughout my life, that many people underestimate the usefulness of a good quality deodorant. I’ve had my share of times sitting next to someone in a movie theater who probably should have showered before coming to the matinee. One would think it is common courtesy to at least apply an antiperspirant of some sort to reduce the unpleasantness for those around you, but alas, it’s not more than a distant hope that’s not likely to be realized anytime soon.
So if you, yes you reading this article, are one of those people who seem to love going out into tight public places stinking to high heaven, listen up as you are about to get a quick biology lesson.
Normally, human perspiration is mostly odorless. A strange concept, I’m sure, but true none the less. Perspiration remains odorless until it undergoes a process of fermentation (this is the same process used to make beer, and other alcohols, though I would recommend against drinking your own sweat, or anyone else’s to get drunk…just won’t work.) by bacteria. Bacteria, as you may or may not know, enjoys a hot and humid environment to anything else, which just so happens to be what your armpits are like after a nice intense workout at the gym. Now, these bacteria like to colonize in your sweaty armpits, as they offer a nice damp and warm place for them to settle down, and your sweat, dead skin, and dead hair offer them nourishment. From this they excrete a methyl-hexenoic acid compound which is the source of the unpleasant odor experienced when we sweat for long durations of time.
Gross isn’t it? Makes you want to go buy stock in Arm & Hammer. Well, at least go buy a few sticks of deodorant for Pete’s sake, its well worth it. There are so many brands available that it should be easy to find one you like. When looking for the brand that’s right for you, it’s recommended to go with one that is an antiperspirant, which does exactly what the name implies; it prevents or significantly reduces your perspiration.
There are a lot of deodorants for men out there these days, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one that is right for you. Be sure to know if you have an allergy to aluminum, as most common brands of deodorant contain various aluminum compounds. If you are allergic, use of a deodorant product that contains aluminum can cause contact dermatitis, which is a skin reaction resulting from exposure to allergens.
There are many brands out there to choose, such as Old spice, Right Guard, Axe, and Gillette. Which one you choose to be the best deodorant for you, just depends on what type you are most comfortable with, how much you feel like spending, and what scent you find to your liking. For example, Right Guard tends to be considered more of a budget deodorant option, as it tends to be a little cheaper than the others. Also the type of scent you might want depends on the brand, such as Gillette or Axe which are widely popular with younger men, and Old spice which is commonly used by men in their 30’s and up.
It really doesn’t matter which of the many types of deodorant you choose to use, whether it be roll-on, spray, stick or gel, or even a natural deodorant, you should go ahead and make the investment in one type or another of deodorant to stop body odor. If not for yourself, for the benefit of those around you.