Disclaimer* Written by probably one of the most low maintenance stankiest girls around. SO IT'S ALL ABOUT EDUCATING OURSELVES. “OUR” meaning this little salty crystal included. -Amy
Body odor can be both pleasant or unpleasant.
The smell from the pheromone androstenol is released by fresh sweat. While it may be a major turn on to some, as sweat marinates with oxygen and turns into androstenone, the smell can be highly unpleasant.
What Contributes to Body Odor?
1. Acids from Bacteria on Skin
Sweat itself does not smell, but it has a lot of protein. Naturally forming bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis, on the skin breaks down protein into acids which causes smells. Heat and time just makes sweat smell worse as it provides a warm environment for the bacteria to thrive.
2. Poor Apocrine Gland Ventilation
Apocrine glands secrete different juices depending where they are found: the ear (ear wax), breasts (milk), genitals (giggity), and SKIN (sweat). On the skin, these “sweat glands” are found most densely in the groin, armpits, and chest area. These glands help your body remove toxins by producing sweat. Things like clothes, shoes, socks, and gear however make it hard for sweat to evaporate, creating more smell.
3. Diet
You are what you eat. The food you eat does not immediately seep out of your skin but affects your gut health and bacteria as you digest. Unused byproducts of the food you eat also eventually leaves your skin as waste products and mixes in with your sweat. Yum.
Foods that increase body odor:
Meat diet- #1 cause. yes even those who eat fish have been found to have a stronger smell. (Let’s all go around sniffing vegans, they must smell like daisies)
High Sulfur content- broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onion, garlic
Spices and Herbs-curry, cumin
Alcohol- 10% of the alcohol you drink is excreted from your pores
4. Genetics
If yo mamma stanky and yo mama’s mama is stanky... she’s more likely to pass down the stank gene (ABCC11). This gene may be expressed more frequently in people with certain ethnic backgrounds than others.
3. Health
Conditions like diabetes can cause more smell largely due to increased sugar content in sweat which feeds bacteria growth encouraging MORE STANK
How to Deodorant
But seriously...Prevention includes:
Washing your armpits- Using antibacterial soap can reduce the number of bacteria in the area.
Having less body hair- Hair prevents the evaporation of sweat and allows more time for bacteria to break down proteins. Keeping hair shorter helps to reduce smell. *Summer trend prediction: everyone is about to look like a slip ‘n slide*
Use deodorant or antiperspirant:
Deodorant makes skin more acidic and more difficult for bacteria to live.
Antiperspirant blocks sweat action, less sweating.
While some studies have shown antiperspirant to be linked to cancer-causing agents, general consensus is inconclusive. BEWARE OF CANCER, but on the real...half the other things ya’ll prolly doing and the people you’re hanging out with are more CANCEROUS than antiperspirant.
Trade Not-so-Secret Secrets to GEAR Whether you’re getting geared up from head to toe or the BURSITIS scare has shaken you to the core, GEAR stank is a real life issue. Sure, you don’t want to lose the elasticity of your gear by washing it too often. But that ish smell like your grandma’s dusty nether regions on a Tuesday night after Zumba.
1. Air it Out 💨
Don’t: Shove sweaty gear into your bag or hamper and keep it for next practice
Do: Hang up wet gear and clothes to dry between washes
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is very acidic which kills bacteria.
Mix a cup of white vinegar with water in the sink. Let it soak for 30 mins before throwing it into the laundry
Protip: Its also best to handwash your gear with cold water and tumble dry without heat. This prevents losing the elasticity of your knee pads
3. Keep two sets of gear
If you practice everyday, this allows time between sessions to get properly dried out.
If you have sweaty feet, don't wear the same pair of sneakers two days in a row. Give them time to dry.
Having separate gear for practice vs jams keeps you smelling fresh when it counts most. But honestly that’s asking a lot to keep track of which pair is which is which.
Extra shirt
Not only is it common courtesy on the dance floor to prevent other people from rolling around in your juices ...unfff, it prevents yourself from prolonged exposure to bacteria trapped between your skin and warm wet shirt
As dancers, we are so caught up in our own world that we forget our surroundings. But do dance events have to be this way and be known to be musty?? We don't think so and we hope that this will help make dance events better not just for other dancers but for spectators as well!
✨✨Together I believe ✨✨