Does pulling out armpit hair cause body odor

Removing armpit hair generally does not directly cause body odor, but it may worsen the original odor by damaging hair follicles or stimulating sweat glands. Body odor is mainly produced by the secretion of sweat glands and bacterial decomposition, and the act of plucking fur may indirectly participate in this process by affecting the local microenvironment. Frequent removal of axillary hair may cause damage to hair follicles or small incisions, increasing the probability of bacterial growth. After the weakening of the skin barrier function under the armpit, the mixture of sweat and keratin is more easily decomposed by microorganisms such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, producing unsaturated fatty acids and ammonia substances. Some people's sweat glands are sensitive to hormonal changes, and physical stimulation of hair removal may stimulate the gland to secrete more vigorous sweat. When using unclean tools or rough techniques, it may also cause folliculitis, further exacerbating the odor problem.

People with congenital hyperhidrosis should pay more attention to the effects of hair removal. This group of people's armpit microbiota is already prone to overgrowth, and the remaining hair roots after plucking may become bacterial attachment points. Some special constitutions may experience local inflammatory reactions after hair removal, leading to temporary exacerbation of odor. The correlation between hair pulling behavior and body odor symptoms may be more pronounced during hormone fluctuations during adolescence or pregnancy.

It is recommended to use mild hair removal methods such as laser hair removal, and promptly use antibacterial products containing sodium lactate after hair removal. Choose breathable cotton clothing to avoid prolonged exposure to moisture under the armpits. If the odor continues to worsen or is accompanied by redness, swelling, and pain, it is necessary to investigate the possibility of fungal infection or purulent sweat gland inflammation. Daily care can be combined with aluminum chloride solution to control sweat secretion, but severe body odor still requires medical treatment with microwave therapy or botulinum toxin injection.