In Taiwan, the summer is hot and humid, causing many people to sweat more than usual, which leads to a strong underarm odor. Whether on buses or subways, the pervasive body odor can make people avoid you. Even after using deodorants and antiperspirants, why is it still ineffective?
Underarm odor troubles many people, regardless of its severity. The smell of sweat can affect mood and interpersonal relationships. The human body has two types of sweat glands: apocrine glands and eccrine glands. Apocrine glands excrete carbohydrates, proteins, iron, and lipids, while eccrine glands mainly excrete water. Normal secretions are not smelly, but when sweat, sebum, and dirt are decomposed by bacteria, the odor spreads and forms body odor. 
Whether on a bus or the subway, body odor can make people avoid you. (Photo/From Flicker)
Genetics plays a significant role. If one parent has body odor, there is a 50% chance it will be inherited by their children; if both parents have it, the chance increases to 80%. Lifestyle habits such as drinking less water, being emotionally stressed, staying up late, and consuming garlic and chives can also exacerbate body odor.
To improve body odor, you can adjust your diet by avoiding strong flavors and spicy, fried foods, and choosing suitable antiperspirant products. Most commercially available antiperspirants contain aluminum salts, which form a "gel-like substance" in the sweat pores, blocking the openings of apocrine and eccrine glands, and inhibiting sweat and odor. Deodorant balms contain antibacterial ingredients that can inhibit bacterial growth and control body odor, while antiperspirants reduce sweat secretion and decrease odor.
Antiperspirants can reduce sweat secretion and decrease body odor. (Photo/Provided by Heho Health)
If these methods are ineffective, consider cosmetic surgery. Traditional spiral knife surgery is more invasive, with a recovery period of about a month; minimally invasive ultrasonic surgery has smaller incisions and a shorter recovery period; Refreshing microwave surgery requires no recovery period but is less effective, usually requiring two to three treatments.
In conclusion, adjusting lifestyle habits, choosing suitable antiperspirant products, and seeking medical help when necessary can effectively suppress body odor and improve quality of life.
