Using deodorant is simple, right? You put it on your armpits and walk out the door safe from odor. Well, not so fast. It turns out you might be making these seven deodorant mistakes:
"The distinguishing difference between deodorants and antiperspirants is that the latter contains aluminum chloride, an ingredient used to block sweat," Delphine Lee, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist and director of the Dermatological Center for Skin Health at Providence Saint John's Health Center told Women’s Health.
Once antiperspirant is applied, your sweat ducts are temporarily plugged which stops the sweat.
The main job for deodorant is to mask the scent. If you sweat a lot, you might want to use antiperspirant instead, according to Bustle.
That’s right. As mentioned, antiperspirants block your pores to prevent sweat, but it doesn’t happen immediately so apply it before going to bed.
Why? Your sweat glands are typically less active at night, wrote The Sun. So applying it at night should last the entire next day. And your morning shower won’t wash away the antiperspirant since your sweat ducts are already clogged by the aluminum chloride.
Business Insider says to apply either antiperspirant or deodorant at night.
However, Marc Malek M.D., an Arizona-based plastic surgeon told Women’s Health, “Deodorant can be applied at any time during the day, but the evening time is usually best for antiperspirants, when you’re not sweating as much.”
You can apply deodorant after you've started sweating but it might be too late to do its job, Bustle cautions. Applying it after your shower will keep the odor at bay.
This is the time when more is actually good. The goal is to completely cover your sweat glands. So use a lot of antiperspirant on your entire underarm area. This will ensure all of your sweat ducts are covered, Women’s Health wrote.
Our skin can be sensitive after shaving. Applying deodorant right afterward may sting a bit. Waiting a short while before putting on deodorant will give your skin a chance to become a little less sensitive.
Shocker! No, it’s not just for your armpits. Go ahead and use it in other places like behind your knees, under your breasts and wherever else you may sweat. It can also prevent chafing if you put it on your inner thighs, according to Bustle.
If you apply antiperspirant dutifully and still sweat a lot, switch to a different product. Your body can actually develop a resistance to an antiperspirant. This can result in growth of bad microbes from moisture and an unwelcome odor.
Reviewed November 10, 2016
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith