Sweaty odors and underarm hair typically appear at puberty. Hormonal fluctuations promote the development of new sweat glands, increasing the flow of perspiration, which is sometimes accompanied by unpleasant odors. So at what age can a teenager start using deodorant?
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A Kids Deodorant? At What Age Can You Start Using Deodorant?
Summary
- How Is the Change of Body Odor in Teenagers Explained?
- At What Age Can I Use Deodorant?
- What Should I Do to Limit Body Odor?
Published December 2, 2022,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
How Is the Change of Body Odor in Teenagers Explained?
Puberty is the transition from a child's body to that of an adult. The transition lasts several years (about 5 years) and is punctuated by hormonal variations. This period generally occurs around the age of 11 for girls and 12-13 for boys.
Puberty is notably marked by the appearance of body odor from perspiration, in both girls and boys. This phenomenon is easily explained.
The sweat glands produce sweat to regulate our body temperature. There are two types of sweat glands: the eccrine and the apocrine glands. The eccrine glands are functional from birth, while the apocrine glands come into action during puberty. The latter produce a rich sweat with a strong odor, unlike the eccrine glands. The sweat produced by the apocrine glands mixes with sebum and dead skin and feeds the bacteria present on the skin's surface. By feeding on this metabolic waste, the bacteria emit gases that cause bad body odor. In addition, during puberty, hair appears or becomes denser in certain areas, such as the armpits. Hair is a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, which are responsible for unpleasant odors.
At What Age Can I Use Deodorant?
Body deodorant for kids and teens can be used as soon as unpleasant odors caused by perspiration appear, i.e., at the beginning of puberty, if the teenager in question is bothered by them.
Nowadays, there are natural kids deodorants specially developed for teenagers and even pre-teens. Before the age of 11, deodorant is usually in roll-on form and has no odor. From the age of 11, the spray format is available.
Note that it is not recommended to use antiperspirants at these ages. As a reminder, antiperspirants block the flow of sweat thanks to the aluminum salts they contain, while deodorants fight against bad odors but let the sweat flow “naturally”.
What Should I Do to Limit Body Odor?
Sweating is essential to regulate body temperature at 37 °C. However, bacteria present on the surface of the skin feed on it and give off bad odors. The use of a teenager deodorant, or sometimes even kids deodorant, is necessary to limit the appearance of bad odors. However, it will remain ineffective without good hygiene. A few things you can do to fight bad odors:
Take a shower once a day to limit the proliferation of bacteria.
Dry your skin well, because bacteria proliferate in humid areas.
If the teenager in question is really bothered by odors, underarm hair removal may be a suitable option. Indeed, the presence of hair accentuates the bad odors. It should be noted, however, that a young girl should wait until she has her period before starting to wax, so as not to harden her hair too much or increase its quantity. Note that if hair removal is done early, the downy hair turns into real hair. In any case, the later the hair removal is initiated, the more likely it is that the hair will be thinner and less numerous.
Adopt a healthy diet with a varied and healthy menu. Avoid certain foods that tend to increase body heat and thus the production of sweat, such as hot peppers, onions, coffee, and garlic.
Wear appropriate clothing: avoid synthetic fabrics that promote sweating, opt for natural materials such as cotton or linen. In addition, clothing should be loose fitting to allow the skin to breathe.
Learn to relax because strong emotions encourage sweating.
Do not drink beverages that are too cold or too hot, as this triggers the thermoregulation system and therefore the production of sweat.
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